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Author’s
Note: This
article originally appeared a few weeks ago. An astute reader noted that
the birth year for McGwire in the article differed from that provided
by Major League Baseball. The original article used data incorrectly recorded
in a database archive. Here follows the correct horoscope for Mark McGwire.
With
his huge arms bulging, sweat dripping from his brow in the sultry St.
Louis heat, Mark McGwire steps to the plate. Everyone, absolutely everyone,
has the same thought. How far will the ball go this time?
What
a Guy
 You
gotta love this guy. Not only is Mark McGwire (born October 1, 1963, at
7:30 am, in Pomona, California) an endearing Libra, but he can also hit
a baseball in enviable ways. His Sun (core self) and Venus (relationships)
even out his chart from their home in the considerate, think-of-everyone-else-first
sign of Libra. When asked about his personal feats he speaks of his fellow
players and their more important quest as a team. He refers to his son,
who often follows him during the season. And he talks about the merits
and ability of his main competitor, Sammy
Sosa. A major current human concern of McGwire is preventing
child abuse, a cause to which he invests a lot of himself.
A
powerful square between Mars (the action guy) and Saturn (the disciplinarian)
bulges more evidently in his chart than his muscles do through his uniform.
This pattern of planets drives him hard. Yet Saturn can be a compassionate
father. There he is, dedicated, loving and present with his son. He’s
persistent and consistent, a fantastic blend of Mars and Saturn. He works
hard. You don’t get a body like that lounging around the pool. Or do you?
McGwire
and Steroids
But
then there’s that body thing. When McGwire was injured, many suggested
that the problems resulted from an overly bulked-up body, implying McGwire
had used supplementation. Mark denied the use of steroids. One day a reporter
noticed a vial of “andros” in Mark’s locker. Androstendione, an over-the-counter
and non-regulated muscle builder, became a controversial highlight of
the 1998 season. Andros were not illegal in baseball. Substances such
as the “andros,” and creatine, which McGwire also used, come under the
astrological auspices of Neptune. This distant planet in McGwire’s chart
occupies the same position as Mars in the intensely competitive, passionate,
driven-to-the-edge sign of Scorpio. Scorpio’s motto often is, “whatever
it takes, and I mean whatever.”
As
the andro controversy flared and McGwire became aware that the youth of
America starting using the supplements that he did, he quit taking them.
Concerned about the possible side effects for kids, he quickly came to
bat in a responsible manner on the matter. Hopefully his tenor could be
heard. McGwire is quick to point out the responsibility adults hold toward
children. Once a fan who was soliciting an autograph for his son told
Mark that he was his son’s hero. McGwire replied, “You, sir, should be
his hero.”
The
influence of the body building supplements alone does not make a hitter.
The coordination required to hit a baseball, let alone hit it a tenth
of mile, remains infinitely difficult. This talent comes from McGwire
himself. The strength of the intensely difficult square configuration
(Mars-square-Saturn ranks as a twelve on a scale of one to ten for difficulty)
generates the necessary focused power. After all, too much bulk could
reduce one’s swing. Then there’s that Mars-to-Neptune thing. Neptune urges
listening to the subtle whispers and instincts of life. There’s a little
batter sitting on your shoulder coaching the perfect moment to commence
the swing of the bat. He values these acute insights about taking the
right action (described by Mars) at the correct illusive moment in time
(revealed by Neptune). The results reach phenomenal heights (and distances).
Hero
on Top of the Heap
In
a horoscope containing exceptionally strong dynamic tension such as McGwire’s,
it remains natural and inevitable for the person to head to the top of
the heap. Mark McGwire twice, and in consecutive seasons, smashed the
home run records held for years by Roger Maris (a controversial record)
and none other than Babe Ruth. He accomplished these feats with grace,
sportsmanship and humility. A hero of mythological proportion stood in
the on-deck circle, ready to come to bat in the consciousness of humanity.
Neptune offers idyllic images of those worthy of our emulation and idolatry.
Mark McGwire became the modern hero.
With
522 career home runs, McGwire stands closer to Hank Aaron’s all-time career
home run record of 755. At his current pace, he would reach that milestone
in about three and a half seasons. Oddly, everyone talks about Ken Griffey
getting there. Little is said of McGwire achieving this feat. Neptune
veils and disguises, hiding the obvious in its mist. Well, he is nearing
the ancient age of forty. And we don’t know how long the effects of the
andros might assist him.
Ask
Mark McGwire his impression of the projected home run numbers. He’ll tell
you he can only deal with what lies ahead in this next season. And within
that, only game-by-game matters. If only we could all adopt his “in the
moment” philosophy. Maybe we could shield out distractions and hit the
equivalent of home runs in our lives as well. But as McGwire shows us,
you have to step to the plate and take big rips.
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