The unconscious battle has raged for years. That is the battle between the super hero American icons, Roger “the Rocket” Clemens and Randy “Big Unit” Johnson. They are modern day gladiators in a world hungry for heros. These two men play a boy’s game better than most - far better. But where is gladiator consciousness when you need it most? Where are confidence, strength, and certainty in the face of adversity? It seems to have been replaced by jealousy, avarice and silent bickering that compete with school yard rivalries for trivialities. So what’s the current score?* Roger leads by 155 strikeouts at 4,326 K's and 18 million dollars this year, followed by Randy Johnson with 4,171 strikeouts and a paltry 16 million dollars a year or so, both behind the unreachable strike out record of 5,714 held by retired, Nolan “the Express” Ryan, now reaping riches by providing us with quasi-organic beef in our super markets.
Consider the players' horoscopes. There’s the grand Leo master, Roger Clemens and the critical perfectionist Virgo, Randy Johnson (both charts are set for 6:00 A.M. lacking accurate birth times).
Roger Clemens, while pitching for the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series against the Florida Marlins, told fans he intended to hang up his cleats at the end of the season. This made total sense. The transformational and cycle ending/commencing Pluto sat opposite his natal Mars. Perhaps he felt he had used up his energy, shot his wad or done what he must. Right. With each “last pitch” flashes photographically recording the moment reached the high heavens. Prices on Roger Clemens memorabilia soared. Any normal person could have retired on the royalties of those alone. Just after seasons’ end the boastful and expansive Jupiter crossed Roger’s Pluto, opposed his own Jupiter and Chiron. In January of 2004, Jupiter squared his Mars. These combined aspects would incite anyone’s pride and if properly rewarded for effort extended, the answer is yes.
According to the story, former Yankee team mate, Andy Pettite, encouraged Roger to join him in his natal Texas and pitch yet again. Nice. The Houston Astros paid for Roger’s move to Texas. Hey, it costs money to move all those trophies. Also in the mix, Randy Johnson, now healthy after missing a good bit of 2003 season, would start the 2004 season at just under 4,000 strikeouts. Randy had recently endured Pluto square his Virgo Sun, which put up some surmountable blocks against the ultimate records - but as Pluto demands: heal, persist and rise above. During the year, given good health, he would pass the coveted 4,000 strikeout marker achieved by only Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Steve Carlton. Randy would also pass Carlton and be number three on the list gaining on Roger’s grasp of 2nd place in all time strike outs. Grr.
In 2004, Randy Johnson pitched for the dismal Diamondbacks of that year. At 8:35 p.m., June 29, 2004, in Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, Arizona, against the San Diego Padres, Randy threw his 4,000th strikeout (I was there!), joining an elite club now consisting of four. Later that season he would be number 3 on the all time strikeou list. And it’s even possible this year that he could pass Roger Clemens in strikeouts. Unlikely, but possible. Next year, it’s a done deal. Grr.
Randy, in true Virgo form, never abandoned his craft while pitching for the worst team in baseball. He persisted. He taught other pitchers along the way and maintained dignity as his Mercury and Mars in Libra like him to do, except for when he pitched poorly. He remained hard on himself and on those bad days he uttered streams of spit driven expletives that make a sailor proud. After rumors and controversy all year long, Randy finally accepted a trade to the New York Yankees for a reported $15.4 million, the Yankees, of course, Roger’s former team and for more money than Roger made.
So now, Roger, still under Pluto’s potentially underworldy grip, also experiences the influence of the veiling Neptune opposing between his Sun and Mercury in Leo. He asks the Astros for his uniform number in millions of dollars - 22. Roger, are you dreaming a Neptune fantasy? Dang near. The Astros gave him $18 million and 22 dollars (Is that a uniform number joke?). Roger, come on. There are fans out there making $18,000.22 trying to afford coming to see you work. Ultimately, he maintains his salary and strikeout lead on Randy.
What is it with these guys? Is it because Randy was so sensational against the New York Yankees in the 2001 World Series? Is it because Randy squeezes Roger’s coveted record and unbelievable salary? Actually, the astrology is unbelievably simple. Roger’s Mars at 18 Gemini squares Randy’s Sun at 17 Virgo (and his Venus at 20 Virgo). This confrontational pattern is a battle of fire. Mars, ruling Aries, is more primal. The Sun, lording over Leo, intrinsically has more confidence. But truly, both burn bright and hot. Which is stronger? The Sun. But Roger’s a Leo.
When all is said and done, my money is on Randy. While he broke many Diamondback fans’s hearts by going to the Yankees, it was all about money and a winning team. At least he was honest about it. Roger, with Neptune on his Sun, broke his word of retirement and rejoined the active ranks of baseball. Sure Michael Jordan quit and retired in basketball, too, only to return again. But the subtext feels different somehow; it’s got that slippery veil of Neptune clogging the stream of reality. Roger, if you’re reading this, please, when you do retire, compete again with Nolan Ryan. Please set up organic burger stands in Texas. Maybe then, everyone will stop beefing about your prodigious salary.
* Strike out totals at the time of article writing.
End of 2006 Season
Roger Clemens: 4,604
Randy Johnson: 4,544
Difference: 60
End of 2005 season.
Roger Clemens: 4,502
Randy Johnson: 4,372
Difference: 130