Anybody, Anytime ~ 30 September 2007

A commercial running in the Phoenix area that promotes post season ticket sales for the National League West Champion Arizona Diamondbacks quotes Gemini veteran, Tony Clark, who coined the phrase “Anybody, Anytime.” It’s true, as one of the versions of these commercials points out, there is no franchise face, no one man for the opposition to fear. Instead it’s each member of this frisky bunch of raw, young players that poses a threat.

Three of the starting players for the Diamondbacks started the year in AA ball, one in A. The team batting average was second to worst in the league. They were outscored by the opposition in total runs. Led by the even tempered, but “still water runs deep” Scorpio Bob Melvin, the team streaked their way through the 2007. They’d win a bunch, then they’d play like Augie Doodle’s All Stars, making errors to top the charts and matching the shoddy defense with dismal pitching. Suddenly, a different team would take the field and they’d win six or eight in a row.

Astrologically, the team personifies two notable astrological patterns. One of their commentators delineated the Gemini Moon by noting the team’s Jekyll and Hyde personality, which opposes Pluto. Noted for their uncanny ability to shake off a blow out or a losing streak, the team crashed, burned and resurrected in a way that makes the city and mythological totems of Phoenix proud. Melvin, despite his Scorpioness, never let the team sink. The emotional infusion of the coaching staff was “we are talented and can beat any team on any day, period.” The Pluto-Moon pattern played out better with this band of players in charge of their fate than any baseball pundit (expect me) predicted at the beginning of the year.

The team holds four planets in the sixth house of practice, drill, pepper games and batting practice, all in Aries. The Sun, Mercury, Mars and Saturn in “flare up and clear” Aries emphasize “get over it.” They did. When mistakes were made, notes were taken to please Mercury and Saturn, practice followed to propitiate to Mars and Saturn, all of which feeds the confidence of the Sun. Bob Melvin noted that he operated with a three-hour post game down cycle. After that, back to business.

As the team backed their way into the playoffs at seasons’ end, keeping the best record of any team in the National League, transiting Jupiter stood between the team’s Sun and Mercury by trine. Jupiter had just squared the team’s own Jupiter in the last two weeks of the season. Jitters and lapses required that confidence issues be reinstated and the philosophical bottom line reset. Ownership came out with the “Anybody, Anytime” commercials and commissioned a local rock and roll band to write a team song. They’re fine. It was bumpy at the finish, but they’ll once again go deaf to yesterday’s miscues and enthusiastically embrace the post season that lies ahead.

To fill in the minor players of the fabulous season’s end, Mars and Mercury had just entered Cancer and Scorpio, respectively. The rising tide went the D’Backs way and they clinched the playoffs and the division with Mercury smack dab on their first game ascendant, trine Mars.

As the playoffs continue, the D’Backs enjoy the increasing wave of Jupiter’s optimism as it closes in on Mercury, Mars and Saturn by fortuitous trine.

The fly in the post season liniment comes as Venus in Virgo squares the Moon-Pluto opposition mid way through the playoff month. Should the team respond to national press and criticisms, they could stumble a beat or two. The healing remedy comes from the quelling of nerves provided by Chiron in Aquarius crossing the Uranus of the team in this critical time. This team loves its comradeship, has chemistry to die for and strong “spiritual” leaders even according to the broadcasters’ assessments.

Given that Jupiter really lights up their chart in the last few days of what would be a long World Series, betting folks would do well not to bet against this team. At least, do not do apply reverse Jupiter thinking and underestimate this team.

That said, I’m not planning to predict the World Series outcome... at least not unless one form or another of the national media make the twenty to thirty hours of research worthwhile!

A few baseball notes... three of my picks from last year’s Fall League rocked this year. D’Back Mark Reynolds came on board in May to replace the injured Chad Tracy. His power and greatly improved hitting and impeccable defense contributed volumes to the success of the club. Ryan Braun of Milwaukee stands out as the likely Rookie of the Year in the National League. His power and hitting rocked the league. His defense... well, it could be better. Close behind Braun, Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies probably will win a Gold Glove at short stop (or should). He could be Rookie of the Year if voting members consider fielding on a level playing field with batting average.

I’ll be reporting from Fall League again this year. Even though the traditional baseball season is over, there’s a lot more baseball to report between now and opening day ‘08.