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BE A WINNER against all odds By Rusty Withers Edited by Karen McCauley, M.A.
Exclusive Ebook publication of
The ONLINE College of Astrology http://www.astrocollege.com Email: [email protected] First electronic edition: 2003 Copyright © 2003 by Rusty Withers All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written consent of the publisher, except for brief passages which may be quoted in reviews. The authors and the publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this book. However, they assume no responsibility for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or inconsistencies contained herein. ISBN 0-9727238-0-3
Cover by Mary Downing Ebook production by Ed Perrone Internet Services http://www.edperrone.com Email: [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements
vii
Preface
viii
1. Astrology, All About Energy & Timing Natal Chart The Gambling Charts Gambling Loss Points Your Natal Chart Worksheet
1 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 8 11
Chart Wheel Aspects-Planet Aspects List of Aspect Symbols Summary of Chart Wheel Aspects 2. Chart Rules-Chart Tools -Understanding Astrological Terms Planets Associated With Signs The Staging of A Sporting Event Aspects of Adjustments Aspects Worksheet Conversion Table March Madness Game Worksheet How the Individual Planets Relate to Football
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13 13 13 14 19 21 23 26 28 29
3. The Game Chart -Picking Winners Against The Spread General Rules Game Chart Planet Combination Summary Practice Using Super Bowls 2002 - 2006 Houses of the Game Chart The Planets Game Chart Planet Summary Other Chart Points The Signs
31 31 31 33 35 47 49 65 66 66
4. Game Chart Comparisons -Picking the Winners Straight Up Priorities in Evaluating the Game Game Chart Comparison Planetary Combinations Summary of Planetary Combinations By Aspect General Rules For Chart Comparisons Summary of Key Planet Combinations
69 69 69 73 78 80 80 81
5. Team Sports: Where Did They Begin? Major League Soccer (MLS) The Football Association The Birth of Soccer Birth of Rugby Birth of NFL Birth of Baseball 50 or More Home Run Seasons Black Sox Scandal How Baseball Came to Be The National League iv
83 84 87 88 88 89 90 96 109 109 110
The American League Major League Baseball Teams Today The History of Hockey American Basketball History Basketball Association of America (BAA) Birth of the ABA The Modern Basketball League Women’s NBA Teams & Arenas A Psychiatric Study of Pro Football Angular or Cardinal Houses Fixed or Succedent Houses Mutable or Cadent Houses Exceptional Quarterbacks Other Winning Quarterbacks
110 111 111 112 113 114 115 127 136 152 153 153 156 162
6. American Football History 1st American Collegiate Football Game 1st Professional Football Game
165 165 168
7. American Professional Football Association-NFL Organization Chart NFL Franchise Charts NFC Stadium Coordinates & Time Zones
170 171 173 208
8. American Football Conference Birth of the AFL Franchises AFC Stadium Coordinates & Time Zones
211 211 229
9. Birth of the NFC Teams NFC-National Football Conference NFC Realignment 2002
232 232 232
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10. Birth of the AFC Team AFC- American Football Conference AFL Realignment 2002 Super Bowl Championship Game
296 296 296 346
About the Author
348
Notes
350
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Acknowledgements My heartfelt thanks to: Ed Perrone, who gave me my first shot at Sports Astrology on the internet in the Fall of 1993 on GEnie; Eugenie Disiaro, founder of Astronet, who showcased my sports astrology writing and promoted my interviews on numerous radio shows covering Super Bowls, March Madness, World Series games, and the NBA and NHL playoffs; Karen McCauley, my editor, who took what I wrote from my heart and made me look great as a writer; Joan McEvers, who encouraged me to write every night; Angel Thompson; Aquarius Workshops; Ena Stanley; Kaye Shinker, for encouragement; Mary Downing; Nancy McEwen, my student, secretary, and friend; Michael Salman and Shirley Ito, Amateur Athletic Foundation Sports Library, Los Angeles, for endless hours of help and steering me in the right direction to research and find information for my books; Marion D. March who demanded that I be the best astrologer I could be and that I work in the astrology community to preserve and build upon on the work of those who came before me; Steve, my husband, who has pushed me to be independent and always made sure I had the space and time to fulfill my dreams; My mother, who has always encouraged me to be who I am. vii
Preface This is not an encyclopedia on all sports. My original goal as I started collecting the timed birth data of professional players in 1973 was to simply find out if there were any significant differences in the horoscopes of professional football, basketball, hockey and baseball players. Those analyses led me to discover the signature of a basketball player and find repetitive placements of planets in certain areas of the horoscope which distinguished the various football player positions from one another. When I considered the study of golf and tennis players, my teacher, Marion D. March, pointed out that athletes in these sports were too insecure to be a team player and had a drive to be number one in their own field. So I decided to stick with team sports. In 1990, I started collecting data for the birth of the various team sports. I began with the National Basketball Association (NBA) then moved to the National Football League (NFL). By early 2000, I had complete data on the teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB). Along the way, I collected dates on the now defunct American Basketball League (ABL), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. Within two weeks of completing my search for data on the pro football teams (August 1993), I was asked to viii
try to predict the outcome of the games on GEnie using this data. This predated AOL and the internet. I did not have a clue what to do with the game chart at that time and only used good old fashioned astrology rules to analyze the team’s and quarterback’s energy against the game chart. I used synastry and compared the planet placements of game charts to team and quarterback charts and picked game winners straight up. After eight weeks of analysis, my picks were 80% correct against the Vegas point spread. The Vegas average is 55%. There are no absolutes in anyone's system, that's why we play games. On any given day, a person’s strength is indicated by where the position of planets in the sky make contacts to the person’s natal chart. I name the probable winners regardless of which teams play or where the planets are, just like the commentators do on “Inside the NFL.” Even when dealing with our favorite sport or team, I’ve learned that we still need to understand how the game is played in the sport at hand. Then we can apply astrological information as an added source of information. The rules and information given in this book distinguish what I have found to work and not work in different sports. This information is a great inside edge in determining when the underdog is favored or there is going to be a day of upsets to the point spread or when the favorites are most likely to end up on top. The sport featured in this book is professional football, including the birth of the NFL teams, the WNBA, and some March Madness. Future series will include the Super Bowls, and other major pro-sports organizations: NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, plus The Sport of Kings - Horse Racing. Hopefully, my discoveries will add extra excitement to your involvement with any or all of the referenced sporting events.
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Chapter One Astrology, All About Energy & Timing Natal Chart In natal astrology, a chart is constructed to show the horoscope (hour of the chart) of an individual. The day, month, year, time of birth, city, state, country are needed to erect such a chart. The analysis of a horoscope includes identifying psychological behavior patterns as well as the potential of how that person might evolve through a lifetime. The planets are the actual drama in one's life acted out through a specific zodiac sign where they are located. Zodiac signs indicate basic attitudes and needs an individual uses to reach his/her goals and dreams in life. Where the planets are located in the divisions of the natal chart (called houses) tells areas of life where experiences develop and where energy is accelerated to expand those areas of life. How a people perceive and relate to their parents ties in with how in later life they adapt to authority figures such as bosses. How a male or female gets along with his/her father or mother later contributes to patterns of energy found in relationships, marriage, and work.
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The Sun shows areas where a person needs to shine and get recognition. The Moon shows emotional needs, responses and habits. Mercury is how one communicates. Venus is one's magnet to attract money, love and selfworth. Mars is one's energy level and competitiveness. Jupiter is one's ability to expand. Saturn is one's disciplinary energy and where they learn to draw boundaries. Uranus is the energy that helps one break free of limiting conditions and attitudes. Neptune is energy that can be inspirational and spiritual or dissolving and deceptive. Pluto is energy regenerate.
that
gives
one
the
capacity
to
The Gambling Charts The charts erected for a sporting event or a time when one wishes to gamble are set up for the date, time and location where the event is taking place. I use the starting times listed in the various sporting fact books because they are given in local time. The game chart will show the overall energy for the two or three hours of the 2
sporting event. Once you have the schedules for your favorite sports, you can prepare the charts way before the game takes place. Only in horse racing do I try to set the chart for the end of the race rather than its beginning. First find the post time of the race, locate the recorded time for a race of that distance and surface (dirt or turf), then add that race time to the post time. Of course, if a horse acts up getting into the gate or gets injured during a race, this then negates all the charts you have prepared for future races that day at that track. A palm pilot with an astrology program could get you back on course, but you can also correct the charts you have in hand if you know what you are doing. The chart wheel moves one degree every four minutes. Take the time of new post time and subtract the original post time. Say the race goes off eleven minutes later than originally scheduled as in the 2001 Breeders Cup. Divide eleven by 4. Round off the answer to three. Add three degrees to each of the house cusps of the original chart you prepared. For other sporting events such as the Olympics, you must go to the Internet to get the time of the event and set up the chart in the local time of the event. You then compare the event chart to the charts of individual athletes participating. This comparison prepares you to call the winner.
Gambling Loss Points Joyce Wehrman, author of Winning!: Zodiacal Timing (1976), used another astrological tool created from using certain midpoints in a chart. She called them the Gambling Loss Points. The midpoints are mathematically the middle degree between the degree 3
location of any two planets in the 360-degree circle. In Chapter Two there is a conversion chart that is easy to use. You can take any two planets, convert their placement degrees using the conversion chart, add these numbers together and divide by two and then convert that number back to the astrology degree (the midpoint degree). If you have a computer with an astrology program on it, you can simply have the computer print out the midpoint listing, locate the proper midpoint pairs and write the zodiac sign degree and minutes of the loss point. The three Loss Points Joyce referred to are the midpoints of Mars/Saturn, Mars/Neptune, and Saturn/Neptune. The theory holds that if you have natal planets that fit into the Loss Points of an establishment where you are playing, you win their money. If the birth chart of the casino or track has natal planets on your natal Loss Points, you’re likely to lose your money. Remember, this is theory; it may or may not work for you. I do feel that there are towns, casinos and race tracks with which you feel more comfortable working. The birth charts of all the Vegas casinos are not part of this book. My friend, Joann Farnam has researched the casinos but I have not yet convinced her to publish the data. It’s wise to look at the history of contests between any two given teams regardless of the sport. If a team record is 56-22-2, there definitely is one team chart stronger than the other team chart even before the game begins. The loss points could have merit here or Team 1 could have Neptune near the same degree as Team 2’s Sun thus depleting Team 2’s ability to play their best in any contest with Team 1.
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Your Natal Chart To best benefit from this book when risking your money, you must also become familiar with your birth chart. You don't have to know everything about your chart. You can bet on anything you like, but your chances of winning the bigger money at certain specific times is when you are “On The Wheel” as Joyce Wehrman stated in her book Winning! This book will help you figure these precise winning times.
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Included here is a work page to help simplify things. Planets
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Degrees o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Use column A for your own planet degrees. Use the other columns B-G for whatever would be helpful in tracking your sporting event.
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Mathematics of the Wheel The horoscope is made of a 360-degree circle divided into twelve areas called houses. The longitude and latitude of the location of the birth chart mathematically figures the division of these twelve areas with dividing lines called house cusps. Of the 17 plus available house division systems, the Koch house systems has proven more accurate in timing betting charts so Koch is used for the charts in this book. The time and date of birth mathematically produce the positions of the planets and the house divisions. The 360-degree wheel is not divided equally into the signs because each wheel varies according to longitude and latitude where an event happens. Each zodiac sign is divided equally from the 360degree circle. Each sign of the zodiac contains 30 degrees. The degrees are very important to note when planets are making contacts in the 360-degree circle. The degrees are noted from 0-29 not 1-30 as would seem logical. After a planet reaches 29 degree 59 minutes it passes to 00 degrees 00 minutes of the next zodiac sign. In detailed analysis of the Game Chart (Chapter 2) each zodiac sign is noted as how to understand what you are seeing in terms of the 360-degree circle. The charts used in this book are created from CWSport, an astrology sports program that includes data on the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, WNBA, as programmed by Mark Pottenger. In addition to producing a chart wheel, this format lists the planets on a scale covering 0-29 degrees. Scale makes it easy to see what planets are active NOW in comparison to your own chart degrees. 7
Chart Wheel Aspects – (PLANET ASPECTS) A circle contains 360 degrees. If you divide a circle in half, you have two 180-degree segments. The opposition (S) refers to two planets located directly about 180 degrees from each other in the chart wheel. If you divide a circle by four, you have four 90-degree sections. The square (D) refers to two planets, which are 90 degrees from each other in the chart wheel. The conjunction (A) describes the placement of two planets together, side-by-side near the same degree in the chart. The above three relationships of the planet placements indicate strong, competitive, and intensive strength during the game. The strongest energy is the square (D), next the conjunction (A), and last the opposition (S). We will look to see which team and which quarterback will have any of these hard planetary interactions during the game.
List of Aspect Symbols Conjunction Opposition Trine Square Semisquare Sextile
A S F D Z G 8
0º 180º 120º 90º 45º 60º
The most squares (D) in the comparison of team and quarterback charts show who has the competitive edge for the day. The above “hard” interactions of energy (especially the squares) generally produce the winner of the game. They propel the teams and quarterbacks to be sharper for that specific game. Let's interpret these energies in another way. Two people have different and conflicting views and must resolve the issues at hand today whether they want to or not. They verbally or physically fight it out or negotiate until the issue is settled. The square (D) urges us to take action and handle the crisis. Two people sit down to talk. Both views must be heard, whether the people agree or disagree. What does count is being forced to hear what the other person's viewpoint is on the issue being discussed. Once the viewpoints are expressed, one or both of the people will react to what’s been said. The opposition (S) urges you to react to what another is doing or saying. An American orthopedic surgeon sits near a Chinese pediatrician at a football game. They speak two different languages but each understands what is going on the field of play. Their body language is saying the same thing while in their respective native language they are yelling at a team for its scores or fumbles. All of a sudden, a man sitting in front of them has a heart attack. While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, both men, without a word, start CPR to help the stricken man. The conjunction (A) forces you to work together regardless of your differences. It doesn't matter if you like each other or know each other, you simply do what is necessary to get the job done.
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The 150-degree interaction indicates one situation that demands ADJUSTMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS - The inconjunct (V) shows this adjustment aspect between planets. When comparing the team chart with the game chart and seeing two planets about 150 degrees apart, know the team will have to make major adjustments during the game. A key player such as the quarterback, receiver, or key defensive player may get hurt, and the team will have to rely on back up players to fill in for the injured starter. The next analysis is about the easy interactions some planets have during the game. This shows possible benefit from being at the right place at the right time. Without the hard competitive interactions mentioned earlier, these easy interactions are meaningless to the game or its outcome. Divide a circle by six and you get six 60-degree sections. The sextile (G) refers to two planets 60 degrees apart. This interaction of the planets shows opportunities to make good plays during the game. Divide a circle by three and you have three 120degree sections. The trine (F) refers to two planets 120 degrees apart. This interaction of the planets indicates a flowing energy where one thing after another seems to just fall into place. The above interaction gives a team ease in accomplishing their game plan but without the hard competitive interaction of squares, the team may not have the necessary strength and determination to win the game. Presenting this another way, two men think about buying a lotto ticket. One man buys a ticket, the other man does not. Both have the opportunity to win but only one man bought the ticket. The opportunity is only converted to a benefit or advantage if you make use of the 10
situation. The sextile (G) provides opportunities to take risk and win. A man is out looking for a job. He stops at a remote restaurant for lunch before proceeding to his appointment in the afternoon. While having lunch, a college friend whom he has not seen in ten years enters the restaurant. They see each other and start talking. His friend just happens to be personnel director of a company and discusses a job opening matching exactly what the first man is looking for. The trine (F) represents the energy of being at the right place at the right time.
Summary of Chart Wheel Aspects The signs, planets, houses, aspects, and game analysis are basically the same in all sports.
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There’s one major exception: inconjuncts (150degree aspects) are beneficial in basketball. Two 150degree aspects linked by a 60-degree aspect (a Yod) is the signature of the basketball players and fits the nature of their game. The same may be true in hockey and soccer but has not been researched thoroughly yet. The Yod is definitely not ok in football! It always signifies major adjustment(s) that the team may not be able to make. Usually the need for adjustment arises from an injury to a quarterback, running back, tight end, or wide receiver that the team is unprepared for. In baseball, a Yod for the pitcher means he is not likely to be as sharp in this game.
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Chapter Two CHART RULES- CHART TOOLS Understanding Astrological Terms Planets Associated With Signs Originally only seven planets were known- only those which man could see with the naked eye and watch in the night sky. Those seven were the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Later, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were discovered. Each planet is associated with a zodiac sign and a house/division of the chart wheel. Mercury, Mars, and Saturn are each associated with a pair of signs and a pair of houses. The modern planets, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto, are generally helpful in predicting winners.
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The Staging of a Sporting Event PLANET
SIGN
HOUSE
Mars t
Aries a
First House
Venus r
Taurus s
Second House
Mercury e
Gemini d
Third House
w
Cancer f
Fourth House
Sun q
Leo g
Fifth House
Mercury e
Virgo h
Sixth House
Venus r
Libra z
Seventh House
Mars t Pluto p ( “)
Scorpio x
Eighth House
Jupiter y
Sagittarius c
Ninth House
Saturn u
Capricorn v
Tenth House
Saturn u Uranus i
Aquarius b
Eleventh House
Jupiter y Neptune o
Pisces n
Twelfth House
Moon
Listed above are the glyphs used to identify the planets and the zodiac signs used in the game charts which you will work. In the chart, the planet symbol is written first, then the degree, zodiac sign, then minutes to show the exact location. Example: Mars (t) 18 b 34. If there is a Rx at the end of this configuration that means that the planet has slowed down and appears to be moving backwards. Around the Sun, the planets do not really move backwards but looking at the planets from a location 14
on planet Earth, from time to time they may appear to move backwards. The astrological term we use for this is retrograde. The energy of a Rx planet works more internally than outwardly. The meaning of the planets given in this book refer to how the energy is used in a sporting event and which players are connected more with this energy. All planets move forward through the zodiac. In a sporting event such as a football game lasting three hours, the Moon is the only planet that is likely to change its position in degrees. The Moon moves about one degree, every two hours. During a normal football game the Moon moves 1 ½ degrees. If the game starts with the Moon in the last degrees, (example 29 x 48) the Moon will probably move to 00 c 00 and change signs before the game ends. The play on the field will change and the outcome shift when the Moon changes signs during the game. Chart Wheel Aspects were described in Chapter One. However, the following information will make it easier to understand easy and hard aspects as the planets relate to one another by sign and degree. Easy aspects occur when two planets are about 60 degrees (sextile) or 120 degrees (trine) apart. The planets in a sextile are two signs apart. The planets in a trine are five signs apart.
Aries
Sextiles Trines
Gemini - Aquarius Leo - Sagittarius 15
Taurus
Sextiles Trines
Cancer - Pisces Virgo - Capricorn
Gemini
Sextiles Trines
Aries - Leo Libra - Aquarius
Cancer
Sextiles Trines
Virgo - Taurus Scorpio - Pisces
Leo
Sextiles Trines
Libra - Gemini Sagittarius - Aries
Virgo
Sextiles Trines
Scorpio - Cancer Capricorn - Taurus
Libra
Sextiles Trines
Sagittarius - Leo Aquarius - Gemini
Scorpio
Sextiles Trines
Capricorn - Virgo Pisces - Cancer
Sagittarius
Sextiles Trines
Aquarius - Libra Aries - Leo
Capricorn
Sextiles Trines
Pisces - Scorpio Taurus - Virgo
Aquarius
Sextiles Trines
Aries - Sagittarius Gemini - Libra
Pisces
Sextiles Trines
Taurus - Capricorn Cancer - Scorpio
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Hard aspects occur when two planets are close to 0 degrees (conjunction), 90 degrees (square), or 180 degrees (opposition) apart from each other in the game chart. In conjunction, two planets are close together in the same sign or spanning the last degrees of one sign and the first few degrees of the following sign. The conjunctions are easy to find. The planets sit side by side in the chart and are no more than eight degrees from one another in the 360 circle. The square occurs when two planets are about 90 degrees or four signs apart from each other. Aries
Squares Opposes
Cancer - Capricorn Libra
Taurus
Squares Opposes
Leo - Aquarius Scorpio
Gemini
Squares Opposes
Virgo - Pisces Sagittarius
Cancer
Squares Opposes
Libra - Aries Capricorn
Leo
Squares Opposes
Scorpio -Taurus Aquarius
Virgo
Squares Opposes
Sagittarius - Gemini Pisces 17
Libra
Squares Opposes
Capricorn - Cancer Aries
Scorpio
Squares Opposes
Aquarius - Leo Taurus
Sagittarius
Squares Opposes
Pisces - Virgo Gemini
Capricorn
Squares Opposes
Libra - Aries Cancer
Aquarius
Squares Opposes
Taurus - Scorpio Leo
Pisces
Squares Opposes
Sagittarius - Gemini Virgo
In an opposition, the planets are about 180 degrees apart, usually in the signs opposite each other in the zodiac.
If you are a sports fan just beginning to learn how to use the game chart you might want to print out these pages and have them handy when working with the game chart.
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Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo
is opposite is opposite is opposite is opposite is opposite is opposite
Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
Aspects of Adjustments The quincunx occurs when two planets are about 150 degrees in distance on the 360-degree wheel or six signs away from original sign. Another easy way to find the quincunx is to look at the opposite sign and look to either side of the opposite sign to locate the quincunx.
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Aries
quincunx
Virgo - Scorpio
Taurus
quincunx
Libra - Sagittarius
Gemini
quincunx
Scorpio - Capricorn
Cancer
quincunx
Sagittarius - Aquarius
Leo
quincunx
Capricorn - Pisces
Virgo
quincunx
Aries - Aquarius
Libra
quincunx
Taurus - Pisces
Scorpio
quincunx
Aries - Gemini
Sagittarius
quincunx
Taurus - Cancer
Capricorn
quincunx
Gemini - Leo
Aquarius
quincunx
Cancer - Virgo
Pisces
quincunx
Leo - Libra
The following three pages are another way of looking at what has just been explained. For the novice, the relationship to math and the 360-degree circle may be easier to understand than memorizing the signs and their order. The following worksheet is very simple. Look where the two signs connect on the page and you find the aspect relationship between the two signs.
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Aspects Worksheet Game Chart Planets Signs Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
Aries Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile
Taurus Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile
Gemini Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square
Cancer Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Sextile Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine
Leo Trine Square Sexitle Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sexitle Square Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx
Virgo Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Trine Quincunx Opposition
Libra Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Trine Quincunx
Scorpio Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square Sextile
Sagittarius Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile Square
Capricorn Square Trine Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile Sextile
Aquarius Sextile Square Trine Quincunx Sextile Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct Semisextile
Pisces Semisextile Sextile Square Sextile Quincunx Opposition Quincunx Trine Square Sextile Semisextile Conjunct
List Other chart Signs Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces
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The Conversion Table created by Karen McCauley, my editor, allows the novice to find the degree of a sign and convert it to a mathematical number. This way you can take any two planets, find their correlating numbers then take the two numbers and subtract one from the other. The remainder is the distance between the two planets and identifies what if any, aspect relationship they share.
0-1= Conjunction 28-30 = Semi-sextile 58-60 = Sextile 88-90 = Square 118-120 = Trine 148-150 = Quincunx 178-180 = Opposition
In sports astrology, the distance allowed between the planets used is much tighter because we are only looking at the duration the game, which is somewhere between one and one-half and three hours depending on the sport. For an overview of the Game Chart you will use greater distances, but in comparing the Game Chart with a player’s planets or the team’s birth chart, only allow two-degree distance in comparison between the planets.
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Conversion Table by Karen McCauley©1995
1-0a 2-1a 3-2a 4-3a 5-4a 6-5a 7-6a 8-7a 9-8a 10-9 a 11-10a 12-11a 13-12a 14-13a 15-14a 16-15a 17-16a 18-17a 19-18a 20-19a 21-20a 22-21a 23-22a 24-23a 25-24a 26-25a 27-26a 28-27a 29-28a 30-29a 31- 0s 32- 1s 33- 2s 34- 3s 35- 4s 36- 5s 37- 6s 38- 7s 39- 8s 40- 9s
41-10s 42-11s 43-12s 44-13s 45-14s 46-15s 47-16s 48-17s 49-18s 50-19s 51-20s 52-21s 53-22s 54-23s 55-24s 56-25s 57-26s 58-27s 59-28s 60-29s 61- 0d 62- 1d 63- 2d 64- 3d 65- 4d 66- 5d 67- 6d 68- 7d 69- 8d 70- 9d 71-10d 72-11d 73-12d 74-13d 75-14d 76-15d 77-16d 78-17d 79-18d 80-19d
81-20d 82-21d 83-22d 84-23d 85-24d 86-25d 87-26d 88-27d 89-28d 90-29d 91- 0f 92- 1f 93- 2f 94- 3f 95- 4f 96- 5f 97- 6f 98- 7f 99- 8f 100-9f 101-10f 102-11f 103-12f 104-13f 105-14f 106-15f 107-16f 108-17f 109-18f 110-19f 111-20f 112-21f 113-22f 114-23f 115-24f 116-25f 117-26f 118-27f 119-28f 120-29f
121- 0g 122- 1g 123- 2g 124- 3g 125- 4g 126- 5g 127- 6g 128- 7g 129- 8g 130- 9g 131-10g 132-11g 133-12g 134-13g 135-14g 136-15g 137-16g 138-17g 139-18g 140-19g 141-20g 142-21g 143-22g 144-23g 145-24g 146-25g 147-26g 148-27g 149-28g 150-29g 151- 0h 152- 1h 153- 2h 154- 3h 155- 4h 156- 5h 157- 6h 158- 7h 159- 8h 160- 9h
161-10h 162-11h 163-12h 164-13h 165-14h 166-15h 167-16h 168-17h 169-18h 170-19h 171-20h 172-21h 173-22h 174-23h 175-24h 176-25h 177-26h 178-27h 179-28h 180-29h 181- 0z 182- 1z 183- 2z 184- 3z 185- 4z 186- 5z 187- 6z 188- 7z 189- 8z 190- 9z 191-10z 192-11z 193-12z 194-13z 195-14z 196-15z 197-16z 198-17z 199-18z 200-19z
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201-20z 202-21z 203-22z 204-23z 205-24z 206-25z 207-26z 208-27z 209-28z 210-29z 211- 0x 212- 1x 213- 2x 214- 3x 215- 4x 216- 5x 217- 6x 218- 7x 219- 8x 220- 9x 221-10x 222-11x 223-12x 224-13x 225-14x 226-15x 227-16x 228-17x 229-18x 230-19x 231-20x 232-21x 233-22x 234-23x 235-24x 236-25x 237-26x 238-27x 238-28x 240-29x
241- 0c 242- 1c 243- 2c 244- 3c 245- 4c 246- 5c 247- 6c 248- 7c 249- 8c 250- 9c 251-10c 252-11c 253-12c 254-13c 255-14c 256-15c 257-16c 258-17c 259-18c 260-19c 261-20c 262-21c 263-22c 264-23c 265-24c 266-25c 267-26c 268-27c 269-28c 270-29c 271- 0v 272- 1v 273- 2v 274- 3v 275- 4v 276- 5v 277- 6v 278- 7v 279- 8v 280- 9v
281-10v 282-11v 283-12v 284-13v 285-14v 286-15v 287-16v 288-17v 289-18v 290-19v 291-20v 292-21v 293-22v 294-23v 295-24v 296-25v 297-26v 298-27v 299-28v 300-29v 301- 0b 302- 1b 303- 2b 304- 3b 305- 4b 306- 5b 307- 6b 308- 7b 309- 8b 310- 9b 311-10b 312-11b 313-12b 314-13b 315-14b 316-15b 317-16b 318-17b 319-18b 320-19b
321-20b 322-21b 323-22b 324-23b 325-24b 326-25b 327-26b 328-27b 329-28b 330-29b 331- 0n 332- 1n 333- 2n 334- 3n 335- 4n 336- 5n 337- 6n 338- 7n 339- 8n 340- 9n 341-10n 342-11n 343-12n 344-13n 345-14n 346-15n 347-16n 348-17n 349-18n 350-19n 351-20n 352-21n 353-22n 354-23n 355-24n 356-25n 357-26n 358-27n 359-28n 360-29n
Also important to remember: A planet moving toward another planet is said to be “applying.” Example:
Mars 24 Libra, Saturn 26 Capricorn. Mars is applying by two degrees to Saturn. A planet moving away from another planet, is said to be “separating.” Example:
Mars 26 Libra, Saturn 24 Capricorn. Mars is moving away from Saturn. In sports astrology the planet in smaller degree is always applying to the planet in larger degree. The planet in larger degree is always separating from the planet in smaller degree regardless of the planets involved. This is quite different from normal astrology where the faster moving planet is said to be applying or separating from the slower planet. Planetary speed is based on the distance of the planets from the Sun. The faster planet begins from Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune then Pluto I found that this applying-separating theory worked when doing March Madness where I did not have a team chart to compare to the Game Chart. For about three years, I called sixty-four teams and each year only five teams knew their actual inaugural game (basis for team chart). Also, in 24
March Madness the sixty-four teams are divided into four brackets and numbered 1-16. The higher seed is 1, next seed 2, and lowest seed 16. In any match-up, the higher seed is always the home team. Example: Seed 1 plays Seed 16. Seed 1 is home team. Seed 2 plays Seed 15. Seed 2 is home team. The rest of the break down is 3-14, 3 home team; 4-13, 4 home team; 5-12, 5 home team; 6-11, 6 home team; 7-10, 7 home team; 8-9, 8 home team. The original seed numbers stay the same as play develops from 32 games to Sweet Sixteen, to Elite Eight, to Final Four. Very rarely does a number one seed make it to the Final Four as every opponent gets more pumped-up when playing the “best” team and loves to knock them out of the mix. The same logic is true when a new season starts in any of the big four sports. Every team wants to beat the current Super Bowl Champ or World Series winner, etc.
25
March Madness While preparing for the Final Four of one March Madness, in the middle of the night, I dialed 00 (long distance) to get the area code for Kentucky so I could call the team the next morning and get the birth data for the team’s starting line up. The operator asked, “Who do you want to know about?” She gave me the area code but could not give me the number for the team office. I still had to dial the area code and 555-1212 to get that information. Amazingly, the operator did give me the name and player profile of each 26
player on the Kentucky team. She was a big fan and went to all the university games. I asked her, “Do you think this is an omen that your team will win the NCAA Championship this year?” Well, Kentucky did win the Big Dance March 30, 1998, at 9:30 pm in San Antonio, Texas. I guess I was so focused that night, I just pulled in the information I needed. The Final Game Four had two planets at 20 degrees. When predicting the Final Four, three weeks in advance of the event, I saw that North Carolina’s team had five starting players with 20 degrees in their natal charts. It looked like North Carolina could be a shoe-in for the final game. However, in the two interim games one had the Moon at 19 degrees the other had a Moon at 22 degrees. Had Carolina played the earlier game they possibly could have won, however, they played the later game and the team energy had already passed them. That Game Chart also indicated North Carolina could be disappointed in the same outcome. They were surely heartbroken to be eliminated and missing the big dance. That is what I meant when I said a planet can be applying or separating from the degrees in the Game Chart. The Moon at 19 degrees would have been applying to the players’ planets at 20 degrees. Instead, the Moon at 22 was separating from the players’ planets. The Game Worksheet allows you to write the planet next to the Chart Degree, convert to mathematical number, then do the math on a separate sheet of paper and write appropriate aspect next to the conversion number. Always look at the square (90 degree) aspects first. They are the strongest energy on the field. As a repeat statement of reinforcing the energy of the planets in a sporting event, please note the following. We are discussing football here but the energy is the same for all team sports. 27
Game Worksheet A Team A
Team Chart
B Conversion
C Chart
D Date
Degrees
Game Planets
E F Conversion Aspects Team
To Game
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Subtract Column E from Column B. Put answer in Column F. Hard Aspects Soft Aspects Adjustments 359-0 Conjunction 59-60 Sextile 149-150 Quincunx 89-90 Square 119-120 Trine 189-180 Opposition
Xerox this page. Set up the same for Team A and Team B Quarterback, Pitcher, etc. 28
How the Individual Planets Relate to Football SUN
q The Sun is the heartbeat, vitality and ego of the
team and shows how the team demands recognition and applause. The game chart Sun represents the Las Vegas favorite in the point spread.
MOON
w The Moon is the emotional intensity of the team
and how the team reacts to what is going on during the game. The game chart Moon is the betting public.
MERCURY e Mercury is how the coaches and quarterbacks communicate with the players. Game chart Mercury is the quarterback. Mercury is the person calling the plays during the game.
VENUS
r
Venus is the self-worth of the team and how the
players feel as a team. Game chart Venus is the younger quarterback playing in the game.
MARS t Mars is the competitive spirit and combative thrust and energy level of the team. Game chart Mars represents the running game and receivers on the team.
JUPITER y Jupiter indicates the positive, optimistic energy of the team and shows whether the team is confident or 29
insecure on the field. Game chart Jupiter relates to the team confidence or over-confidence.
SATURN
u Saturn shows team discipline from the coaches
down to the players. Saturn tells when a team is willing to step up their performance a level and take more responsibility to win the big game. Game chart Saturn rules the offense and their ability to execute effective plays today.
URANUS
i Uranus spotlights the teams’ urges for rebellion
and destruction. Game chart Uranus relates to the defense and whether it’s empowered to destroy the opponent.
NEPTUNE
o
Neptune represents intuitive and instinctive
behaviors of all players. Each side has a potential sixth sense for reading the plays of the opponent. Neptune also shows team charisma and any drug/alcohol problems of the players. Game chart Neptune refers to the underdog.
PLUTO p Pluto correlates to the stamina, endurance, strength and persistence of a team. Game chart Pluto shows whether a team can maintain the level of intensity and focus necessary to come out on top in today’s contest.
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Chapter Three The Game Chart Picking Winners Against the Spread
The Game Chart details the overall energy during a game. Everything you ever wanted to know about a Game Chart is in this chapter. However, I would like to teach you to “speed read” the Game Chart and locate the most important points before you get lost in these details.
General Rules The planet that rules the zodiac sign of the 1st and 7th house is key to whether the home or visiting team will find it easy or challenging to win the game with a score that beats the Vegas spread. When the ruling planets of the 1st or 7th house have sextiles or trines to the other planets in the game chart, the energy is there for the teams to win against the spread. When the ruling planets of the 1st or 7th have conjunctions, squares or oppositions to game chart planets, the team’s energy is challenged and it is difficult to win against the spread. Look at the following planet combinations: Sun/Jupiter; Sun/Saturn; Sun/Uranus; Sun/Neptune; Sun/Pluto to determine the overall energy for the game. 31
Locate the degree and sign of the Moon. Add 1 ½ degrees to the Moon to determine the location of the Moon at the end of the game. What is the highest degree (0-29) planet in the game chart? Is the degree of the Moon larger than the planet with the highest degree? (Example: Super Bowl XXXVII – January 26, 2003, 3:20 pm PST, San Diego, CA – Uranus 27 Aquarius 34; Moon 27 Scorpio 38.) The Moon has moved forward four minutes past a square to Uranus and is called “Void of Course” and makes no further contacts with the other planets in the game chart. The betting public will be upset with the outcome of the game. Note the degree on the 10th house and/or 1st house. If the degree is 27-29, the key word is longshot. The team supposed to win may not win. The NFL publishes a Record and Fact Book each year. The history between any two teams is listed. (Example: Chicago vs Tampa Bay 2002 edition – Bears lead series, 33 wins 15 losses.) The team chart for the Chicago Bears is dominant over Tampa Bay’s team chart even before they play a game. Home Field Advantage – The home team is more familiar with their own playing field. This is where they practice every day and where they feel the most comfortable. Teams are used to the weather of their home location. The weather (snow, cold) is a factor between two teams particularly for a team used to playing in a warm climate having to adjust to a climate change such as at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field with minus 30 degree temperatures. Know teams’ strengths and weaknesses first, then use the game chart to find their edge over Vegas point spread. 32
Game Chart Planet Combination Summary Planet CombinationsSextiles - G - and trines - F – WIN against Vegas point spread Planet CombinationsConjunctions - A, squares D, or oppositions S – Difficult to win against Vegas point spread Sun/Jupiter - q/y Sextile G or trine F – WIN against Vegas point spread Sun/Jupiter - q/y Conjunction A, square D or opposition S –Challenged to win against Vegas point spread Sun/Saturn - q/ u Saturn champions the underdog – this is often a low-scoring game Sun/Uranus – q/i -Upset to Vegas point spread Sun/Neptune – q/o -Underdog favored to win Sun/Pluto – q/p -Upset
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Ruler of 1st and 7th in game chart sextiles G or trines F to other planets in chart – YES - possibility to win against Vegas spread Ruler of 1st and 7th in game chart conjunctions A, squares D or oppositions in chart – Challenged to win against Vegas spread
S to other planets
Jupiter or Uranus located at top of game chart (10th house) – High-scoring game Saturn located at top of game chart (10th house) – Low-scoring game 10th house 28-29 degrees of a sign –Outcome may not be as Vegas predicts against the spread.
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Practice Using Super Bowls 2002-2006
SUPER BOWL XXXVI (2002)
Home team – AFC – New England Patriots; Visiting team NFC – St. Louis Rams 35
Sun/Jupiter q/y Sun 14 Aquarius, Jupiter 6 Cancer – Sun already moved past quincunx to Jupiter by 8 degrees – Too wide – NO favorite to win against the spread Sun/Saturn q/u Sun 14 Aquarius, Saturn 8 Gemini – Sun already moved past trine to Saturn – Not a low-scoring game Sun/Uranus q/i Sun 14 Aquarius, Uranus 24 Aquarius – 10 degrees – too wide – NO upset to Vegas point spread Sun/Neptune q/o Sun at 14 Aquarius; Neptune at 8 Aquarius – Sun already moved past Neptune – NO to underdog winning straight out Sun/Pluto q/p Sun 14 Aquarius; Pluto 17 Sagittarius – Sun applying 3 degree sextile to Pluto – YES – UPSET Moon/Neptune w/o Moon 7 Scorpio square Neptune 8 Aquarius – Underdog was favored for first two hours of the game. st
Ruler of the 1 – Sun – Leo – planet contacts already noted th
Ruler of the 7 – Saturn –Aquarius-Saturn 8 Gemini sextile Mars 11 Aries
36
-Mars degree already past Saturn degree-scoring opportunities missed by visiting offensive running back.
Game: The Moon square Neptune gave the underdog
Patriots the first two hours to run up the score 17-3. After the Moon had moved past Neptune in the 4th quarter, the Rams were able to score 14 points to tie the game. The Moon then was exact quincunx to Saturn pushing the Rams’ offense for more adjustments. The Rams’ offense, Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner had been shut down all day.
Outcome: Patriots, the home team. The New England
Patriots, as the home team, used the power of Sun/Pluto to upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17. With 1:30 left on the clock the Patriots’ quarterback never thought about taking a knee and going into overtime. Without any timeouts remaining, he completed three short passes to reach the Patriots’ 41 yard line with 33 seconds left on the clock. In the last play of the game, as the clock expired, Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard field goal that gave the New England Patriots their first Super Bowl win.
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SUPER BOWL XXXVII (2003)
Home team Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Visiting team Oakland Raiders
38
Sun/Jupiter q/y Sun 6 Aquarius opposite Jupiter 13 Leo – (7 degrees) Vegas favorite will be challenged and have difficulties in winning against the spread Sun/Saturn q/u Sun 6 Aquarius; Saturn 22 Gemini – (16 degrees) too wide degree for trine aspect – NO low-scoring game Sun/Uranus q/i Sun 6 Aquarius; Uranus 27 Aquarius (21 degrees) too wide for conjunction – NO upset to Vegas point spread Sun/Neptune q/o Sun 6 Aquarius conjunct Neptune 10 Aquarius – Underdog favored against Vegas spread Sun/Pluto q/p Sun 6 Aquarius; Pluto 19 Sagittarius (13 degrees) too wide for sextile – NO upset Moon/Uranus w/i Moon 27 Scorpio 38 square Uranus 27 Aquarius 34. Moon has moved forward by four minutes past Uranus. Moon is Void of Course. The outcome of the game may be different than Vegas’ prediction. st
Ruler 1 – Sign Cancer – Moon in Scorpio square Uranus – home team challenged to win against the spread Ruler 7th – Sign Capricorn – Saturn 22 Gemini trine Uranus 27 Aquarius (5 degrees) – visiting team opportunity to field strong offense (Saturn) strong defense (Uranus) and win against the spread
39
Saturn 22 Gemini quincunx Moon 27 Scorpio (5 degrees) Visiting team will have to emotionally make adjustments around their offense to win against the spread. 10th house 28 Pisces – longshot – outcome of game may not be as Vegas predicts against the spread
Outcome: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the home team and Las Vegas underdog (-4.5 Oakland Raiders), defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21.
Prior to the kick off, the game Moon’s last aspect was a square to Uranus. Uranus rules the defense. The Moon rules the betting public and the emotions of the game. When the game began, the Moon had moved four minutes past that square to Uranus and was Void of Course. The emotions and passions were disconnected from all the other planets. Did that give the Tampa’s defense free will to explode or was that why the Oakland Raiders could not get going? Only briefly did the Raiders rise to the occasion, being 31 points down, pull the game closer 34-21. In the game chart Mercury was quincunx Jupiter. Mercury ruled the home team quarterback and Jupiter ruled the visiting quarterback. Both quarterbacks were intercepted. Tampa’s quarterback was picked off once while Oakland’s quarterback threw five interceptions. Five interceptions and three defensive touchdowns was an NFL Super Bowl record. Not only did the game turn out differently than Las Vegas had predicted, Tampa’s defense blew out the Oakland Raiders offense. It might be interesting to do more research on the Void of Course Moons and note what planet the Moon separates from. Go
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back in history and watch future games to see how this energy unfolds during a game. SUPER BOWL XXXVIII (2004)
Home team AFC; Visiting team NFC
41
Sun/Jupiter q/y Sun 12 Aquarius quincunx Jupiter 17 Virgo – Vegas favorite will have to make adjustments to win against the spread Sun/Saturn q/u Sun 12 Aquarius quincunx Saturn 7 Cancer – Sun already moved past Saturn but Vegas favorite may still have to make adjustments to the offense to win against the spread Sun/Uranus q/i Sun 12 Aquarius; Uranus 1 Pisces – (19 degrees) too wide – NO upset to point spread Sun/Neptune q/o Sun 12 Aquarius 26 conjunct Neptune 12 Aquarius 51 – 25 minute conjunction – Underdog favored Sun/Pluto q/p Sun 12 Aquarius; Pluto 21 Sagittarius (9 degrees) too wide for sextile – NO upset straight out Moon 22 Gemini opposite Pluto 21 Sagittarius – Moon has moved past Pluto by one degree. Game will still be emotionally intense but NO straight upset 10th House 28 Aries – Mars 29 Aries – Long shot – team supposed to win may not win Ruler 1st - Sign Leo – Sun in Aquarius conjunct Neptune – home team challenged to win against the spread Ruler 7th - Sign Aquarius – Saturn in Cancer by degree still applying to Sun/Neptune quincunx - visiting team may still have to make adjustments to the offense to win against Vegas favorite 42
SUPER BOWL XXXIX (2005)
Home team NFC; Visiting team AFC
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Sun/Jupiter q/y Sun 18 Aquarius 17 trine Jupiter 18 Libra 49 Rx – Vegas favorite favored to win against spread Sun/Saturn q/u Sun 18 Aquarius quincunx Saturn 22 Cancer (4 degrees) Vegas favorite must make adjustments around their offense to win against the spread Sun/Uranus q/i Sun 18 Aquarius; Uranus 5 Pisces – (17 degrees) too wide for contact Sun/Pluto q/p Sun 18 Aquarius sextile Pluto 23 Sagittarius (5 degrees) Chance of an upset straight up against Vegas spread
Moon 20 Capricorn opposite Saturn 22 Cancer – Could be low-scoring game.
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SUPER BOWL XL (2006)
Home team AFC; visiting team NFC
45
Sun/Jupiter q/y Sun 17 Aquarius 01 square Jupiter 17 Scorpio 46 – Vegas favorite challenged to win against the spread Sun/Saturn q/u Sun 17 Aquarius; Saturn 7 Leo (10 degrees) too wide for opposition Sun/Uranus q/i Sun 17 Aquarius; Uranus 9 Pisces (22 degrees) too wide, no contact Sun/Neptune q/o Sun 17 Aquarius 01 conjunct Neptune 17 Aquarius 17 – underdog favored against the spread Sun/Pluto q/ p Sun 17 Aquarius; Pluto 26 Sagittarius (9 degrees) too wide for sextile no contact Moon 25 Taurus quincunx Pluto 26 Sagittarius – Emotional intensity – lots of adjustments – I feel like this game will be like riding a roller coaster. Two hours after the game begins the Moon goes Void of Course. The outcome of the game will not be as Vegas predicts.
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Houses of the Game Chart
Notice that around the center of the game chart are numbers 1-12: the 360-degree circle divided into 12 sections. Each number represents a division yielding special meaning in interpreting the game chart. These divisions are called houses. The line demarcating the beginning of each house is like a doorway to that house. The location of each doorway is specified by a Zodiac sign. That sign and the planet associated with it provide clues about the activities in each house.
FIRST HOUSE This house represents the home team
and especially their energy and personality on game day. 47
SECOND HOUSE This house reflects the self-worth of
the home team. If the Moon is placed here, the members of the home team feel very good about themselves. The planet associated with the sign on the 2nd house and that planet's interactions with other planets give additional insight to how the team feels in today's game.
THIRD HOUSE The third house represents the home
team quarterback. The interactions of the planet associated with the 3rd house shows how well the quarterback will perform in the game.
FOURTH HOUSE This house shows the visiting team.
The condition of the planet associated with the 4th house shows the visiting team’s ability to score during the game. If Jupiter is next to the beginning or end of the 4th house, the visiting team may score high in the game. If Saturn is located near the 4th house, the visitor’s score may be low.
FIFTH HOUSE Here we find the home team game plan.
If the planet associated with the 5th house sextiles or trines other planets in the game chart, the home team has a good chance of executing their game plan and accomplishing what they want in the game. If that planet squares, conjuncts or opposes other planets in the game chart, it will be more difficult for the home team to execute their game plan.
SIXTH HOUSE The 6th house gives information about
both the home and visiting teams. The 6th house shows the health of the home team and the hidden strength of the visiting team.
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SEVENTH HOUSE The 7th house represents the visiting
team and how they will project themselves during the game.
EIGHTH HOUSE The 8th house shows the self-worth of
the visiting team.
NINTH HOUSE The 9th house describes the visiting
team quarterback.
TENTH HOUSE The 10th house indicates the ability of
the home team to score during the game. With Jupiter or Saturn here, the same rules apply for the home team as were mentioned for the fourth house description of the visiting team.
ELEVENTH HOUSE
The 11th house shows the game
plan of the visiting team.
TWELFTH HOUSE The 12th house represents both the
home and visiting teams. The 12th shows the health of the visitors and the hidden strength of the home team.
The Planets The Basic Meanings of The Sun SUN q The Sun is the heartbeat of the chart, its vitality
and ego. In the team chart, the Sun is the heart and soul of the team. This is how the team wants to shine, get recognition and applause for what they are doing together. Of course, their ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl, but during the months of the football season their goal is to win each game, one at a time. 49
In the game chart, the Sun represents the team that the Las Vegas odds makers favor to win the game, sometimes called the Favorite. The Sun rules the zodiac sign Leo. The Sun's sign in the game chart may be located in any of the twelve zodiac signs throughout the year as the Sun progresses at approximately one degree per day covering all 360 degrees of the zodiac within a year.
Interpreting SUN Combinations These give you a basic meaning of what you are seeing!!!
Sun rules Vegas favorite team. Sun/Moon q/w how Vegas favorite and betting public fare for the day. Sun/Mercury q/e how the favorite is communicating in today's game.
q/ r
Sun/Venus game. Sun/Mars
q/t
Sun/Jupiter
how comfortable the favorite feels in the
the physical energy of the favorite team.
q/y
the confidence of the favorite.
Sun/Saturn q/u discipline and determination of the offense of the favorite.
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q/i
Sun/Uranus Sun/Neptune spread. Sun/Pluto
q/o
q/p
Sun/Ascendant chart.
upset to point spread by favored team. underdog is favored against point
power of favorite.
q/j
Sun/Midheaven q/k in the game chart.
favors the home team in the game
favors home team's ability to score
The Basic Meanings of The Moon MOON
w
The Moon represents emotional feelings and needs. In the team chart, the Moon shows the reigning needs to be met for the team to maintain a feeling of emotional security and safety. In the game chart, the Moon represents the betting public and their emotional upset or pleasure about their bet on the game. The Moon rules zodiac sign of Cancer. The Moon moves one degree every two hours. In 24 hours it moves approximately 12 degrees. The Moon is in a sign for approximately two and one-half days as it moves forward through the whole zodiac in 28-29 days. 51
Interpreting MOON Combinations Moon/Mercury state.
w/e
ability to blend emotions and mental
Moon/Venus on.
w/r how public feels about the team they bet
Moon/Mars
w/t
anger in public - fights.
Moon/Jupiter w/y insecurities of teams playing and betting public (may show over-confidence as well). Moon/Saturn w/u serious team playing -disappointments in offense's ability to perform, insecure offensive team. Moon/Uranus w/i erratic defense - public upset on the game or their bet on it. Moon/Neptune w/o insecurity and confusion of team players or the betting public. Moon/Pluto w/p emotional intensity of the game, powerful emotions of the team -persistence. Moon/Ascendant
w/j
how home team feels emotionally.
Moon/Midheaven w/k how home team feels about their ability to score.
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The Basic Meanings of Mercury MERCURY
e
Mercury shows how people think and communicate. In the team chart, Mercury shows how the coach communicates with the quarterback, and how the quarterback communicates to the players on the field. It also indicates how the defense tries to out-think the offense and anticipate each play. Mercury in the game chart represents the quarterback and how he communicates and performs during the game. Mercury interaction with the other planets shows how sharp the quarterback is in each game. Mercury refers to the communication between the coaches, managers, and players; particularly the quarterback in football. Check Mercury for everything about the quarterback and the communications of the game. In the zodiac, Mercury rules both Gemini, the communicator, and Virgo, the organizer of data. Regardless of the zodiac sign Mercury is in, the Game Chart Mercury still shows the communications between the team and either the quarterback (football), pitcher (baseball), point guard (basketball), or goalie (hockey). If Mercury has easy aspects in the Game Chart the communications usually flow smoothly. If Mercury has hard aspects in the Game Chart, communications between the team leader and the other players usually get all messed up. If Mercury goes Rx, (slows down) just before a game, there is a possibility that the team leader, as noted above, could be injured during the game. Once a team adjusts to Mercury being slower, they do fine. When Mercury has been 53
slow and begins to speed up again is another time when injury can occur to the team leader. A quarterback, pitcher, point guard, or goalie born with Mercury Rx will be more confident and excel in their performance when the current Mercury is Rx. Example: Mark Brunnel, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, has Mercury Rx. He got his team to the AFC Championship Game in the second year of the franchise. However, the day of the AFC Championship Game, Mercury turned direct and where he had excelled during the playoffs, his energy wasn’t functioning well during that game.
Interpreting MERCURY Combinations Mercury/Venus e/r shrewdness, clever ideas of quarterback; a younger quarterback, team or coach Mercury/Mars
e/t anger provoked through verbal abuse
Mercury/Jupiter the game
e/y persuasion in communication during
Mercury/Saturn
e/u
slowed thinking processes
Mercury/Uranus e/i quick thinking processes - mind works like a computer seeing everything going on at once Mercury/Neptune e/o confusion in calling of plays (between coach and players) 54
Mercury/Pluto processes
e/p
Mercury/Ascendant themselves well
extreme and powerful thinking
e/j
home team ability to express
Mercury/Midheaven e/k home team ability to communicate game plan and score
The Basic Meanings of Venus VENUS
r
Venus shows the self-worth of the team. In the team chart, Venus refers to a younger quarterback/team leader. Venus in the game chart = money and/or worth of the team playing. Venus may also refer to the gate receipts, if Taurus or Libra are the signs on the second or eighth house cusp. In general, Venus rules younger players and how the teams feel about themselves, their self-worth. Venus goes Rx every three years and not necessarily during any given sports season. However, if a team or player is born with Venus Rx they will play to their fullest potential the time Venus is Rx. Example: The Denver Broncos franchise chart has Venus Rx. Denver finally won its first Super Bowl while Venus was Rx.
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Interpreting VENUS Combinations Venus/Mars
r/t
fun or satisfaction of the game
Venus/Jupiter r/y over-confidence; may feel too good and be disappointed that their performance does not measure up to their expectations Venus/Saturn r/u performance
disappointment in offensive
Venus/Uranus r/i surprise - unexpected - money self-confident of defense Venus/Neptune r/o successful deception - money not where it appears to be Venus/Pluto
r/p
big money - big losses as well
Venus /Ascendant
r/j
Venus /Midheaven
r/k
favors home team accomplishments of home team
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The Basic Meanings of Mars MARS t Mars is the competitive spirit and combative
thrust in the team chart. The desire to win and having what it takes to win are shown by Mars.
Mars in the game chart shows competitiveness and aggressiveness on the field. How Mars interacts with the other planets shows how that competitiveness is played out. Mars is energy to the max. If Mars is in any aspect to Uranus there will be more injuries during the game than if Mars and Uranus do not aspect each other. Mars indicates the player scoring the points in each of the sports and the physical energy of the game. We use Mars as ruler of both Aries and Scorpio. A team player born with Mars Rx internalizes the energy of Mars. Mars turning direct in a team or players chart signifies a major year of accomplishment as the energy will be released and externally show up in major accomplishments for that year.
Example: Michael Jordan was born with Mars Rx. The year the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA Championship, Michael's Mars turned direct. He had tried for seven years before then to get the Bulls into the Championship Game.
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Interpreting MARS Combinations Mars/Jupiter playing.
t/y
ample energy and courage of teams
t/u controlled energy of the game. If the Mars/Saturn quarterback has this in his chart or in combination with the game chart, he has controlled energy to hit his receivers and win the football game under pressure. (Only the inconjunct between these two planets indicates a choke at the twominute warning and loss of the game under pressure.) Mars/Uranus t/i can indicate accidents or injuries during the game. Look at list at end of this analysis for injuries by sign. Mars/Neptune t/o lack of physical energy during the game – loss of strength particularly at the end of the game. Tired out!!! With Neptune contacts with the Sun, the team, quarterback or coach does not have the strength to win in this game. Mars/Pluto t/p super energy- super aggressiveness. If either of these two planets combine between a team and game chart, the team is super strong in this game. Mars/Ascendant t/j aggressive home team. Mars/Midheaven
t/k
aggressive scoring of home team.
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The Basic Meanings of Jupiter JUPITER y Jupiter in the team chart represents the
positive optimism energy of the game. Jupiter's interaction with other planets in the team chart indicates how the team will expand and improve. In the game chart, Jupiter in a sextile or trine relationship to the game Sun favors the Las Vegas oddsmaker favorite to win and beat the point spread. With Jupiter in the game chart square, conjunct or opposition the game chart Sun, the favored team has a harder time winning. Chances are that team may win but not beat the point spread. Jupiter shows confidence or overconfidence in the game. Jupiter rules both Sagittarius and Pisces. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are Rx about half the year. Only if a team or player’s planet turns direct during a season does it have a big effect on the outcome of their performance. When Jupiter and the Sun connect in the Game Chart, usually the favorite beats the Vegas Point Spread.
Interpreting JUPITER Combinations Jupiter/Saturn
y/u structured, confident offense.
Jupiter/Uranus
y/i
confident defense.
Jupiter/Neptune the field.
y/o
confusion, neglect, sloppy play on
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Jupiter/Pluto
y/p
Jupiter/Ascendant Jupiter/Midheaven
super power control.
y/j y/k
confident home team. confident home team scoring.
The Basic Meanings of Saturn SATURN u In the team chart, Saturn is the planet that
forces the team to take responsibility for all it does. If Saturn is square, conjunct, or opposition to other planets, the team will try really hard to accomplish their goals. With Saturn sextile or trine other planets in the chart, the team will find it easy to take responsibility but may seem a bit lazy in accomplishing their goals. In the game chart, Saturn represents the structure and discipline needed for the offense to carry out the coach’s game plans. If Saturn crosses the top of the game chart, the outcome will likely be a low-scoring game. Saturn shows the structure and discipline of the offense in the game. It also indicates the older team, coach and quarterback and maintaining a traditional style of play. Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius and takes 28-29 years to move through all 12 signs of the zodiac. If Saturn is in the same sign and degree repeating the location of a team or player this can indicate a big year for that team or player.
Example: The Green Bay Packers’ Saturn in their Franchise Chart is 24 Virgo. Saturn in their Team Chart is 1 Libra. In Super Bowl I, Saturn was at 25 Pisces opposite 60
Green Bay's Saturn. Super Bowl II, Saturn was at 6 Aries conjunct Green Bay's Team Saturn. Super Bowl XXXI, Saturn was at 3 Aries, again conjunct Green Bay's Team Saturn.
Interpreting SATURN Combinations Saturn/Uranus defense.
u/i
Saturn/Neptune
u/o
Saturn/Pluto
u/p
frustration for both offense and injured offense - ineffective offense.
controlled power.
Saturn/Ascendant
u/j
Saturn/Midheaven
u/k
conservative home team. low scoring game by home team.
The Basic Meanings of Uranus URANUS i In the team chart, Uranus shows where the
team will be unusual, different, or rebellious and also represents the defense. Uranus shows sudden changes in the team structure. In the game chart, Uranus indicates potential upsets. When Uranus interacts with the Sun, the favorite team will either lose or not beat the point spread. If Uranus interacts with Mars, injuries are higher than usual during the game. If 61
Uranus interacts with Mercury in the game chart, the quarterback may be an injured player or play brilliantly. If Uranus crosses the top of the game chart, the outcome will likely be a high scoring game. Uranus shows the defense and upsets to the point spread when connected with the game Sun. Saturn rules Aquarius. In the Game Chart, Uranus rules the defense and the players disrupting the game plan of their opponent. I think of thunder and lightning when I think of Uranus. Uranus connected to the Sun or Moon in the Game Chart shows upsets against the Vegas' point spread.
Interpreting URANUS Combinations Uranus/Neptune
i/o
confused defense.
i/p
erratic power struggles of defense.
Uranus/Ascendant
i/j strong defense of home team.
Uranus/Pluto
Uranus/Midheaven team.
i/k
high-scoring game for the home
The Basic Meanings of Neptune NEPTUNE
o
Neptune in the team chart represents the offense and intuitiveness of the team. Neptune shows the charisma and the substance abuse problems of any team.
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In the game chart, Neptune also represents any deception of the teams playing. With Neptune in the 5th house of the game chart, either the referees will miscall many key plays or it's possible that a fix is in. If the Sun or Moon interacts with Neptune, the underdog may prove the victor. Something is hidden that the public is not seeing. A key player may be hurt and will not play and this has been hidden from the press before game time. Neptune shows the underdog and deception and weakens whatever it contacts. Jupiter rules Pisces. Neptune can be deceptive and confusing energy. If Neptune is connected to the Game Chart Sun the underdog is favored to win against the spread.
Interpreting NEPTUNE Combinations Neptune/Pluto
o/p
Neptune/Ascendant Neptune/Midheaven home team.
weakens power struggle.
o/j o/k
confused, weakened home team. inner doubt on ability to score of
The Basic Meanings of Pluto PLUTO
(p) “
In the team chart, Pluto represents stamina, enduring strength and the persistence of the team. If 63
Pluto and Mars interact in the team chart, the team has additional strength when compared with the opponent. In the game chart, if Mars and Pluto interact, the game will be very intense and powerful. If the game Mars or Pluto interacts with the team or quarterback Mars or Pluto, that team or quarterback will exhibit additional energy and power during the game and will likely be extremely successful in the game. This energy will be good only for the three-hour game and not necessarily there the following week. Pluto indicates super power and super strength. Pluto rules Scorpio. Pluto connected to the Sun of the Game Chart means upset. It doesn't mean the team will lose the game but against Vegas spread they won’t fare well and betters will be upset with where they put their money. Mars is the old ruler of Scorpio. When Mars and Pluto are in aspect to each other there is Super Energy during the game. If the Moon is connected with this combination there could possibly be super tempers flaring during the game. If the Moon is 150 degrees from either Mars or Pluto in the Game Chart, I have actually seen the frustration turn into fights on the field. My favorite example of this was during March Madness in the girls’ division when a Moon/Pluto/Mars happened and one of the girls actually slugged other girls on the court. You expect the guys to do this but the girls get frustrated, too.
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Interpreting PLUTO Combinations Pluto/Ascendant
p/j
Powerful home team.
Pluto/Midheaven to score.
p/k
Power and dominance of home team
Game Chart Planet Summary SUN q Vegas favorite for today's game MOON w The betting public - emotions of the game MERCURY e Team leader: Quarterback, Pitcher, etc. VENUS r Money and the teams' self-worth for the game MARS t Action on the field - anger - aggressiveness - speed JUPITER y Confidence or over-confidence SATURN u Discipline and structure of the game - the offense URANUS i Sudden changes in the game - the defense- upsets NEPTUNE o Referees - deceit - deception - underdog PLUTO p Super power - intensity - persistence - control
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Other Chart Points ASCENDANT j The doorway to the first house, the
home team.
MIDHEAVEN k The highest part of the chart, doorway
to the 10
th
house, the scoring ability of the home team.
PART OF FORTUNE ^ can indicate a lucky point in the chart, included here primarily for research purposes.
NORTH NODE l can show one's greatest potential,
included here primarily for research purposes.
SOUTH NODE L can indicate a weakness or energy leak, included here primarily for research purposes.
CHIRON $ only included for research purposes
The Signs The 12 signs of the Zodiac give clues to how the planets' energy will be delivered via the individual players and teams. Explanations below are given through statements you might hear made by the players.
ARIES a I have to be number one. I have to get down
the field before everyone else does. I am aggressive, assertive and will butt heads with anyone to get through and achieve what I'm after.
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TAURUS
s
I am stubborn and will not move. I am on the defensive line and no way will I let the offensive receiver get through here.
GEMINI
d
I am very versatile and can move quickly. I can also run fast and think quickly while I dodge that tackle and get on down the field to produce a score.
CANCER
f
I can feel the players coming up behind me so I must run evasively or angle my route to get away from them.
LEO g I am the real star of this game. I deserve all the
recognition and applause. Now, I must catch this pass and score so my name gets good media coverage.
VIRGO h I need a practical plan to execute so we can
win this game. I'll analyze the game plan again then be sure to pay attention to everything going on out on the field.
LIBRA z I have this game strategy down to a science.
I really should be the general running this game plan. I can execute the plan and win this game.
SCORPIO x I know how to rev up the intensity of this
game. My team has secret plays that the other team will never figure out.
SAGITTARIUS
c
That last play was okay but we can do better. Give me the ball and I'll find plenty of running room. Don't gang up on me or hem me in. Let me run freely so I can score.
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CAPRICORN v I’m organized and disciplined. Put
me in charge. I’ll organize the game plan.
AQUARIUS b
I'm aloof and cool headed. I can see the whole field and what is going on everywhere. Now let's see how differently we can execute this play so the other team can't figure us out.
PISCES n I'm like a sponge. I absorb and feel all that
is going on around me. I'm intuitive and know what the others are thinking at all times. I can read the plays before the quarterback thinks of them. I know what the other team is going to do even before they do.
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Chapter Four Game Chart Comparisons Picking the Winners Straight Up Game Analysis Priorities in Evaluating the Game To evaluate what you are seeing in a game chart on the computer screen or on paper if you print out the charts and planet interactions, you must first learn to tell what is most important to consider during the three hour game.
1. Which team has more strength today? Which team planets are square the game chart planets? That team has added strength today. Next week, another team may be stronger because the planets in the sky are constantly moving forward.
2. Which quarterback is sharper and has more strength today? Look for quarterback planets square game chart planets. And look at the quarterback's Mercury and Uranus. A quarterback with Mercury/Uranus sextile or trine will see the whole field at all times and always find the open man. The players know this guy (think Joe Montana in his prime) will win the game no matter what. He is quick69
minded and will go to the open player no matter what play he called. His receivers know if they are open, they'd better be ready to catch the ball and score. The quarterback with Mercury and Uranus square, conjunct or opposite each other, can still win the football game, too, but he needs pressure to get the job done. He just loves to wait until the two minute warning to make three touchdowns in a row to win. If the quarterback does not have what I mentioned, look at how his Mercury and Uranus interact with the Mercury and Uranus in the game chart. If the two planets mix with the same interaction, today he is sharper than usual and should have an exceptional game. Look at the quarterback's Saturn and Mars. This is controlled energy. If Saturn/Mars are conjunct, square or opposite each other, under pressure, the quarterback can hit the receiver to score the touchdown. If the quarterback does not have this interaction in his own chart, but Saturn and Mars interacts with the game chart Saturn and Mars, today he will be able to get the ball to the receivers under pressure. If the quarterback's Saturn and Mars are 150 degrees apart, under pressure he will choke. He will throw an interception. See how his Saturn relates to the game chart Mars and how his Mars relates to the game chart Saturn. If the 150-degree aspect is going on during the game, send a message to the coach telling him to put in another quarterback. Keep your money in your pocket.
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3. Where can you find the hidden strengths? Look at what sign denotes the first house. Then go to the planet associated with that sign and see how it is interacting with the other planets in the chart. If the ruler of the 1st house is in the 12th house, pay close attention. Remember, the twelfth house is the hidden strength of the home team. If the ruler of the first house is in the twelfth house, it weakens the strength of that planet and hurts the home team’s chances of winning the game. The energy is hidden. The strength of that planet and how it interacts loses its punch for the day. If the game Moon is in the twelfth house, the emotional energy and strength of the home team is weaker today.
4. How will the visitors do in the game? Look at the sign on the 7th house and the planet ruling that sign. This gives you some insight as to the visiting team's fate in the game. If the ruler is in the 6th house, the visiting team’s energy is hidden today and chances are they will have trouble winning. If the game Moon is in the 6th house, the visiting team's emotional energy is drained today.
5. Will there be an upset? Look at the game chart Sun and Moon. If game chart Uranus or Neptune are in any aspect to the game chart Sun or Moon, this indicates an upset in the game. The
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game will not turn out as Vegas predicted . Bet on the underdog.
6. How will a specific quarterback or team do in the game? How the planets interact with one another is the most important consideration in evaluating the team, quarterback and game charts.
7. What will the energy be like on the field? The only planet that moves by degrees during the game is the Moon. The Moon moves forward one degree every two hours. The moon will move one degree and 30 minutes during a three-hour game. In your head, figure if the Moon moves one degree, will it make a hit to a team or quarterback planet later in the game? Only look at exact degree contacts. That is the energy on the field that can affect the outcome of the game.
8. How will the quarterbacks be feeling during the game? Look at the team and quarterback Moons. If by chance the game chart Moon is at the same place, the team or quarterback feels at home today. He's likely to be saying, "Get out of my way, I feel secure and safe out here and am going to have a great day. "
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Game Chart Comparison The rules in the previous chapter on the analysis of the Game Chart are rules in picking the winner against Vegas favorite and Vegas spread. If the ruler of the 1st or 7th have sextiles and trines to the other planets in the Game Chart, the teams have a better chance in winning against Vegas' spread. If the 1st and 7th house ruler planets in the Game Chart have squares, conjunctions, and oppositions, the team's chances of winning against the spread are challenged and it is harder for them to win against Vegas' spread. The rules in Game Chart Comparison look at the planetary combinations between the team and quarterback's charts with the Game Chart. The combinations change drastically here in their meaning. These rules apply in picking the winner straight up. Squares, conjunctions, and oppositions are good in chart comparison and the more squares the better. This gives the team more drive, strength and endurance to win the game. Sextiles and trines in the comparison analysis can give the teams a sense of overconfidence, somewhat lax approach to the game and they are simply not as sharp or focused. Their push and endurance certainly is not as strong as their opponents’. Some of the planetary chart combinations add strength to teams where other planetary combinations weaken the teams. Here is a list of what I mean: Sun/Mars q/t Gives team more drive and competitiveness during the game 73
Sun/Jupiter q/y Can field a team that is overconfident Sun/Saturn q/u Adds discipline to the team with this placement
Sun/Uranus q/i Adds strength to the defensive team with this placement. I've seen coaches and quarterbacks have this when they won the Super Bowl. (Example: Super Bowl XX McMahan - Chicago 46-10 in New Orleans over New England)
Sun/Neptune q/o
Weakens the team with this combination (Examples: Baltimore Colts lost to NY Jets in Super Bowl III Game Sun at 22 Capricorn square natal Neptune at 22 Libra. Denver Lost Super Bowl XII to Dallas with Game Neptune square Natal Sun. New England Patriots lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI with natal Neptune at 7 Scorpio square Game Sun at 7 Aquarius.)
Sun/Pluto q/p Adds power to the team with this combination
Moon/Mars w/t Can give added emotional strength to team, but can also add fights during the game
Moon/Jupiter w/y Team must be careful not to be emotionally overconfident
Moon/Saturn w/u
Usually team is disappointed with outcome of game. Gives them endurance to try harder but this aspect makes them feel insecure and they don't play their best. 74
Moon/Uranus w/u Powerful electric defense. Moon/Neptune w/o Emotional insecurities and confusion sets in
Moon/Pluto w/p
Emotionally
powerful
and
feeling
confident.
Mercury/Mars e/t Communication and speed intensified for quarterbacks and running backs in football.
Mercury/Jupiter e/y Over reaction to verbal signals Mercury/Saturn e/u Very focused team paying attention to details of game.
Mercury/Uranus e/i Brilliant quarterback.
It's like seeing everything through the eyes of a computer at lightning speed. The quarterback calls the play in the huddle but goes to the man free to score the touchdown.
Mercury/Neptune
e/o
Can either be intuition at high level or signals getting all messed up during the game.
Mercury/Pluto e/p Very intense communication. Could be powerful quarterback.
Venus/Mars r/t Team just having fun playing the game.
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Venus/Jupiter r/y Could give the advantage to the team as results of game could add more money in their pockets. I've seen this with contract extensions.
Venus/Saturn r/u Team usually is disappointed at game’s end.
Venus/Uranus r/i Long shot aspect - Sudden money. Venus/Neptune r/o Self-worth down for team today. Venus/Pluto r/p Big money on the line. Powerful selfworth of team.
Mars/Jupiter t/y Have seen muscle injuries during game. Mars/Saturn t/u Controlled energy and strong offense. Mars/Uranus
t/i
Injuries are possible during game particularly to running backs.
Mars/Neptune t/e Have seen players with stomach flu and teams too tired to play. Energy is depleted.
Mars/Pluto t/p Bet the farm. SUPER ENERGY and power during the game. The first year I was predicting the NFL games, the Houston Oilers had a great team and the Los Angeles Rams had a horrible team. The Rams and their quarterback for that game had Mars/Pluto. The announcers kept asking “…Where is all the power come from today?” They commented: 76
“Maybe the Rams do have a team this year.” NO, the team was great only on that Sunday!
Jupiter/Sun y/q Can field a team overconfident, thinking they do not have a great opponent today. Green Bay had this when they played Denver in Super Bowl XXXII. Green Bay found out the hard way that Denver had a superior team and Elway finally got his ring.
Jupiter/Saturn y/u Usually expands the offense and gives them more structure and confidence but anywhere Jupiter is there is possible overconfidence and the team can get in trouble.
Jupiter/Uranus y/i Overconfident defense. Jupiter/Neptune y/o Extreme insecurities and doubts about the team’s ability in this game.
Jupiter/Pluto y/p Can over extend themselves and be over- tired at the end of the game.
Saturn/Uranus u/i Strong offensive and defensive team. Saturn/Neptune u/o Can be intuitive offense and a tired, ineffective offense.
Saturn/Pluto u/p Strong offense. Uranus/Neptune
i/o
Weak defense because of flu or being too tired to handle the game.
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Uranus/Pluto i/p Super powerful defense. Pluto/Neptune p/o Power weak for this game. Pluto/Pluto p/p Strong team during this game.
Planetary Combinations T-Square
- Most powerful combination of planets
between team, players and Game Chart. The T-square occurs when two planets are 180 degrees apart with plus a third planet is at the 90 degree point between the two planets that are opposite each other. There is a focal point of the T-square that drives the energy and makes the team stronger in its determination to win. Troy Aikman had two T-Squares in place during Super Bowl XXVII when Dallas beat Buffalo 5217 in Pasadena, CA.
Grand Cross – A T-Square with all 90 degree points filled
in by planets. I have seen teams lose games with this combination, because energy is being pulled in too many directions and it's too tiring for the team.
Grand Trine – This combination of ease can represent
being in the right place at the right time but does not guarantee a win. A square from another planet must activate the Grand Trine for it to indicate a win. John Elway had a Grand Trine with a square activating his when he won a second Super Bowl ring against Atlanta.
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Yod – This combination is formed when there are two
planets about 60 degrees apart and each is also 150 degrees from the same other planet.
A combination of two planets 150 degrees apart is called a quincunx. This is a deadly aspect in football. Football is stop and go action more compatible with the T-Square. The quincunx and Yod require constant adjustments. This is normal for a basketball game; it’s the nature of that game. Nearly all the pro-basketball players have yods in their natal charts. This is THE signature of a basketball player. A Mercury/Uranus quincunx can indicate genius and is found in players like Michael Jordan who certainly has displayed a special and unusual finesse that most players can not produce in the game. 79
The Mars/Uranus quincunx presents a possibility of major injuries with a football player sitting out for the season. Example: In the same Super Bowl where Troy Aikman had two T-Squares active for Dallas, Jim Kelly had a Grand Trine and quincunx. He was out of the lineup and on crutches early in the game. Quarterbacks with Saturn/Mars choke at the two minute warning and throw an interception leading to losing the game.
Summary of Planetary Combinations by Aspect Conjunction - Intensifies energy of planets involved. Sextile - Creates opportunities but not wins. Square - Adds endurance to accomplish the win. Trine - Being at the right place at the right time does not guarantee wins. Quincunx - Great for basketball and hockey because of the nature of their game but death for football game. Opposition – Forces one to pay attention to what the other team is doing. This can create a loss if proper adjustments are not made.
General Rules for Chart Comparison Chart Comparison locates planets that share the same degree in both the Game Chart and team, quarterback and 80
coach’s natal charts. These combinations add additional strengths or weakness for the team, quarterback or coach. Key planet combinations to note first are as follows: Sun/Jupiter w/y; Sun/Saturn w/u; Sun/Uranus q/i; Sun/Neptune q/o; Sun/Pluto q/p. If Jupiter/Venus y/r or Venus/Uranus r/i make contacts and this is a big game that would add bonus money to players playing the game, these combinations will add to who possibly might receive the big bucks.
Summary of Key Planet Combinations Sun/Jupiter q/y Can field a team that is overconfident. Sun/Saturn q/u Adds discipline to the team with this placement. Team will work harder to accomplish goals. Strong Offense
Sun/Uranus q/i Adds strength to the defensive team with this placement. I've seen coaches, quarterbacks have this when they won the Super Bowl.
Sun/Neptune
q/o
Weakens the team with this combination. Usually the team with this combination loses.
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Sun/Pluto q/p Adds power to the team with this combination. Pittsburgh Steelers had this combination when they played the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl, January 1996. This combination gave them the power to get to the Super Bowl but did not guarantee a win.
Venus/Jupiter r/y Could give the advantage to the team as results of game could add more money in their pockets. I've seen this with contract extensions.
Venus/Uranus r/i Long shot aspect - Sudden money. Moon of team, quarterback or coach located in 12th house of Game Chart -The emotional energy is hidden and they do not play to their highest potential.
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Chapter Five Team SportsWhere Did They Begin? SOCCER, RUGBY, FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, HOCKEY: Have you ever wondered where all the American team sports came from? Soccer, a sport from which our American football first descended, is understood, loved and played throughout the world. When other countries talk about football, they are actually speaking of soccer. The young adults in the United States today, born between 1964-1968, began playing soccer at age 5-6 in local hometown family-supported leagues and continued to play through their high school years. Those young adults are the fans who supported the World Cup held in the United States and who will provide the support the newly formed Major League Soccer (MLS) needs to survive. They understand the game; they played it. Their parents played football and only learned the rules and skills of soccer as they watched their children thrive in the sport. Soccer provides a high level of fitness in its players and has an extremely low incidence of 83
injury. Everyone can play soccer. Kids not big enough to play football or tall enough to compete in basketball can enjoy and excel in soccer. Soccer’s current US popularity is a result of youth playing the game for years and the timing of professional teams entering the American consciousness. The professional soccer leagues started back in the sixties were premature and did not succeed. But now America’s soccer pioneers have children who will play and insure the growth of soccer in America.
Major League Soccer (MLS) MLS started on December 17, 1993, in the fulfillment of the U.S. Soccer league’s promise to Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at World Cup USA 1994 when they announced the formation of Major League Soccer. MLS unveiled its plans for the league’s inaugural season on October 17, 1995. After the MLS Player Combine in January 1996 and the league’s first player draft that February, each of the 10 clubs entered spring training and MLS began play in 1996. The Eastern Division consisted of Washington D.C. United, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Columbus Crew, New York/New Jersey MetroStars, New England Revolution. The Western Division was formed with teams from Kansas City Wizards, Dallas Burn, Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles Galaxy, and San Jose Clash. But where did soccer (or football, as it is known throughout most of the world) originate? 84
History is filled with speculative tales of over a hundred inventors. Kicking or hitting objects comes as easily to humans as walking. In various encyclopedias of different team sports, historians note different types of small to large balls that were created and filled with hair, for use in playing different games. The Greeks and Romans used the follis, a larger ball filled with hair (resembling a modern soccer ball). The players tossed the ball to one another while others tried to intercept the ball or tackle the receiving player. The harpastum was another ball used, but it was never kicked and some historians believe its game was closer to rugby. In Florence, the game of cacio was created and was using two teams with twenty-seven players on each side. They would pass, kick and carry the ball across a goal line. Football was first mentioned in 1174 in the English literature of William Fitzstenphen who wrote of the history of London. The players were allowed to use their hands when advancing the ball. A game similar to football was played in England in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It was characterized as ‘permissive violence’ and gave men an excuse to fight one another. The games took place in the marketplace with broken limbs and destroyed store fronts a regular occurrence. In 1314, the mayor of London, Edward II Nicholas Fardon issued an edict that banned football in the city. Football continued in spite of the opposition and was moved to preestablished fields outside the city. The shopkeepers could finally enjoy their stores and windows being undamaged 85
while the game of football thrived outside the city. Rules of conduct for those playing football were soon adopted. In the latter part of the fifteenth century, a game emerged in which ball movement was not by the hands carrying the ball but by striking the ball with the feet. In the following century, the game was no longer a pastime of the working man. It started appearing on the college campuses. In 1580, the vice-chancellor of Cambridge decreed that scholars could play football against other school mates, but not against other schools. Enforcing that rule became a losing battle as the sport’s popularity increased. Sir Symonds D'Ewes wrote in his diary upon finishing supper on March 29, 1620, then venturing to the field behind Queens College to engage in some "hot foot-ball playing." During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries groups tried to ban football in England but failed. Kings, legislation and the church were unable to stop the disorganized, bloody, violent game of football, and it survived. In the 1800's, a new form of the game was introduced in the English public schools where it became more regulated and refined. Rules and order replaced the violent game of yesteryears. Soon the game was at its crossroads. Rugby entered the picture. Would the game continue as a kicking game as in soccer, or should the use of the hands be permitted as in Rugby? The answer given depended on where the game was played. At the schools where the playgrounds were smaller, the kicking game was dominant. Rugby, which allowed the use of the hands and running with the ball, was 86
played where there were more open spaces. Eventually the game split into two sports, soccer and Rugby. The strength of Rugby’s favor was attributed to William Webb Ellis who disregarded the rules one day, took the ball in his arms and ran with it in the same manner as our running backs in American football do today. Though the games of soccer and rugby emerged from the same egg, they began to compete for dominance by changing the rules of their respective games. Westminster and Charterhouse played the kicking game, while Rugby promoted the game in which the hands were allowed to be used. In 1863, a milestone was reached when Charterhouse and Westminster played the first interschool football game in history. Westminster won, 2-0. As English boys graduated from high school and went to college, they brought with them a variety of football games. “In 1846, a group of Cambridge University students - all who played the kicking game - attempted to draw up a uniform set of rules. The Cambridge Rules did not gain widespread acceptance, but it marked the beginning of an effort to devise a universal set of rules for the sport of football.”
The Football Association Confusion set in as combinations of both games continued to be played. On October 26, 1863, representatives from various schools and football clubs were invited to a meeting at Freemasons’ Tavern in London. This marked the birth of The Football Association. This meeting also marked 87
the split of soccer and rugby into two separate sports. A Westminster graduate, J.C. Thring, drew up what became the Cambridge Rules with rules for the simplest game, which essentially was soccer. Disapproval followed from the rugby adherents.
Birth of Soccer The Football Association Oct 26, 1863 10:00 am London, England 51N30 00W10 The rugby group had two new rules added to the tentative set already drawn up, Rules IX and X, which would allow a player to run with the ball and his opponent to tackle him. The Cambridge advocates won out and Rules IX and X were eliminated, thus the soccer features of the game were formed. The rugby group, led by the Blackheath Club, withdrew from the Football Association. Formalized December 8, 1863, rugby now provided a second game of football to thrive in England.
Birth of Rugby Dec. 8, 1863 10:00 am London, England 51N30 00W10 88
When soccer and rugby arrived in America over 100 years ago, the combination of the two sports gradually developed into the game that we call American football today. Many rules have changed in the century-long development of the game.
Birth of NFL September 17, 1920 10:00 AM EST Canton, Ohio 40N47' 26" 081W22' 43"
The formation of the American Professional Football Association at Canton, Ohio began September 17, 1920, with the following teams represented: Canton Bull Dogs, Cleveland Indiana, Dayton Triangles, Akron Professionals, Massillon Tigers, Rochester (NY); Rock Island (IL); Muncie (IN); Staleys of Decatur (IL); Chicago Cardinals and Hammond (IN). Only two of the original franchise teams survive today: the Chicago Cardinals, now the Arizona Cardinals, and the Staleys of Decatur now the Chicago Bears.
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Teams were established afterwards: 1921 Green Bay Packers; 1924 Frankford Yellow Jackets which forfeited and went to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933; 1925 New York Giants; 1932 Boston Braves now the Washington Redskins; 1933 Pittsburgh Pirates now the Steelers; 1933 Philadelphia Eagles; 1934 Portsmouth Spartans now the Detroit Lions; 1937 Cleveland Rams now the St. Louis Rams; 1946 under a different league but later transferred to the NFL, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns; 1953 Baltimore Colts now the Indianapolis Colts. In 1959, came eight AFL teams: Dallas Texans now the Kansas City Chiefs; Denver Broncos; Los Angeles Chargers now the San Diego Chargers; Houston Oilers now the Tennessee Oilers; Minneapolis which dropped out and the franchise and players went to the Oakland Raiders in 1960; New York Titans now the New York Jets; Buffalo Bills; and the Boston Patriots now the New England Patriots. Then following were the 1960 Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders; 1965 Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins; 1967 New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals; 1974 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks; 1993 Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, and 1999 New Cleveland Browns. The latest new franchise was the Houston Texans. The second largest US city, Los Angeles, remains without a major league football team.
Birth of Baseball First Baseball Game June 19, 1846 (4:42) PM Hoboken, NJ 40N44' 38" 074W01' 38" 90
The first baseball game was Friday, June 19, 1846 after 3:00 pm at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey. There two amateur teams (the Knickerbockers vs New York Nine) met and played a form of baseball. Historians credit this as the only acceptable date of baseball’s beginnings, which resulted in the formation of organized American baseball. In reading through the history of the game, we find there was only time for four or five innings that day before it became too dark to play. Alexander J. Cartwright established the rules and umpired the first game. The New York Nine won the game with a score of 23-1. This information was given to me by Marc Penfield who first watched “Nine Ending,” a baseball special series on television, then went to the library to find a time range for the game. While unable to procure an exact time for the start of the first game to date, the range of possible ascendants for the game goes from 4-26 degrees Scorpio – any later would not allow 4-5 complete innings and such a high scoring game to happen before darkness set in. Pluto is a very powerful planet that demands death and rebirth in the same breath of whatever it embraces. The Ascendant or first house cusp of the chart is how the game of baseball would project itself to the world. We see the signals being exchanged between the catcher and pitcher are done in secret, which projects a Scorpio nature onto the chart. Pluto would demand that baseball continually evolve, repeatedly die and revive, and do away with what is no longer needed and out of the ashes be revived a better game. When baseball players went on strike August 12, 1994, I felt that baseball had died. For the first time since the early sixties, I had been watching with excitement the 91
juiced ball and all the home runs. It had been the most exciting year for baseball in a long time. Because of all this excitement, the owners did not think the players would go on strike. But the power and manipulation of transiting Pluto won over and Americans saw no world series for the first time since 1904. Natal Pluto in the baseball chart is at 25 degrees Aries quincunx the transiting Pluto at 25 degrees Scorpio. The two planets are 150 degrees apart. The energy for a quincunx is major adjustments. At 148 years old the Pluto transit formed the Yod between Sun/Mercury and Pluto. Astrologers use a method of moving the planets forward one degree a year to see major events in the life of the chart. In August 1994, transiting Pluto at 25 degrees Scorpio was also quincunx natal Mercury 27 degrees Gemini. Mercury is the communication planet. Pluto can be manipulative. The interaction indicated that negotiations could continue for up to two more years. It was interesting to note in reading about the strike that sources close to the baseball strike thought that the season for 1995 would still be shut down by the players’ strike. Saturday, October 28, 1994, the Los Angeles Times had an article “Alternative League Set to Unveil Plans.” “Organizers of the United Baseball League, drafted as an alternative to the American and National League had scheduled a news conference in New York for Tuesday, November 1st to unveil their plans.” The starting date for the new league was scheduled for 1996. “The American and National League had not been 92
challenged by an alternative league since the Federal League opened in 1914 and shut down a year later.” November 1994 saw transiting Pluto at 27 degrees Scorpio manipulating Mercury. By the end of November and first half of December transiting Pluto moved to 28 degrees Scorpio quincunx natal Sun at 28 Gemini. Again, there were major adjustments called for in power struggles (Pluto) with the ego of franchise owners (Sun). Transiting Pluto had formed a Yod to both natal Pluto and natal Mercury and natal Sun. Many opportunities were lost because of the constant struggle in making the adjustments between the sides in this dispute. Transiting Pluto at 28 Scorpio also squared natal Neptune at 27 Aquarius. Neptune indicates deception, confusion and dissolution of any energy it touches. When Neptune moved into Capricorn we saw deregulation – many corporate structures in business dissolved or were bought out or taken over by other companies. This Neptune activation hid the truth about what was going on in the strike. The manipulation and power struggles indicated by Pluto contacting the egos of those individuals in the dispute created a deadlock. Baseball’s natal Moon at 12 Taurus showed that the players were emotionally set in their ways of thinking and stubborn to boot. They were not moving from their position in the strike – this added to the deadlock. Transiting Uranus moved to 25 Capricorn by the end of December and squared natal Pluto at 25 Aries. Squares force change, desired or not. Uranus represents sudden 93
disruption and changes in the power struggle - like the earthquake Los Angeles experienced January 17, 1994. Because of the earthquake, Los Angeles finally pulled out of the horrible recession it was in for the two years after the riots. Did the Uranus/Pluto square help baseball? If Pluto effects aren’t enough trouble, then consider Saturn and Mars. These two planets were interacting in three different places in the progressed chart (the progressed chart is the natal chart planets moved forward for the year in question). Saturn demands structure and discipline and creates delays. Mars is energy to the maximum, anger, and action which rush ahead without thought of consequences. One way to describe these two energies together is to picture trying to drive a car down the freeway with one foot on the accelerator and the other foot pumping the brake pedal. Another way to look at this is to realize that there were varying factors seeking to reorganize the direction baseball was going. In reviewing 1994 and the progressed chart for baseball, we saw that in 1993 solar arc Saturn was at 24 Cancer conjunct natal Mars. With a conjunction we see the birth of new energy. Mars/Saturn combination began in 1993 as well so baseball was heading in a new direction even then. Saturn rules the third house of the chart, which is the communication of the team. Mars rules the sixth house which are the employees, the players of the team. The sixth house also rules the health of the teams. Secondary Mars at 0 Scorpio trined natal Saturn at 0 Pisces creating opportunities to reorganize the sport somehow. Secondary Saturn at 24 Aquarius quincunxed natal Mars at 24 Cancer again demanding adjustments in the game. 94
Three clear messages were given to demand, then force, reorganization of baseball. Saturn had also returned by transit to the same position it was at the birth of baseball, a position demanding that baseball get organized, refocus, measure where it had been and make plans for where it was going in the future. Other interesting progressions and transits for the day of the strike were solar arc Neptune at 22 Cancer opposed transiting Uranus at 22 Capricorn. This forced each side to hear the other side’s viewpoints. Uranus rules the fourth house of the chart, which is the foundation of the game. Again we have Uranus forcing sudden disruption to the game itself. With Neptune involved do you think they were really listening to each other’s lies? Solar arc Pluto at 20 Virgo trined transiting Neptune at 20 Capricorn. The trine created opportunities to transform the mutual deception. Secondary Pluto at 24 Aries squared natal Mars at 24 Cancer again forcing the power struggle and energy to be dealt with. After reading about all the energy activated in the first baseball game chart in 1993-4, we can see why things were in such a mess and why the stubbornness of the owners and players did not move forward to a compromise that would allow the games to resume again quickly. The players did not want to accept a salary cap like players in football and basketball had done. What happened to baseball? Since August 12, 1994, when major league players brought the season to a skidding halt by calling a general strike, baseball has been on the down side as far as popularity with viewers and fans in the ball parks and on television. The greatest event to help baseball came as baseball made its way back into the hearts 95
of the lost fans as they raced home each night to watch the sensational home run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire to top Roger Maris’ record of 61 homers which had been unanswered for 37 years.
50 OR MORE HOME RUN SEASONS 73 70 66 65 64 63 61 60 59 58 58 58 56 56 56
Barry Bonds NL:SF 2001 Mark McGwire NL:Stl. 1998 Sammy Sosa NL:Chi 1998 Mark McGwire NL:Stl. 1999 Sammy Sosa NL:Chi 2001 Sammy Sosa NL:Chi 1999 Roger Maris AL:NY 1961 Babe Ruth AL:NY 1927 Babe Ruth, AL:NY 1921 Jimmie Foxx AL:Phil. 1932 Hank Greenberg, AL:Det. 1928 Mark McGwire AL:Oak-NL:Stl. 1997 Hack Wilson NL:Chi 1930 Ken Griffey, Jr. AL:Sea 1998 Ken Griffey, Jr. AL:Sea 1997 96
54 54 54 52 52 52 52 51 51 51 51 50 50 50 50
Babe Ruth AL:NY 1920, 1928 Ralph Kiner NL:Pitt 1949 Mickey Mantle AL:NY 1961 Mickey Mantle AL:NY 1956 Willie Mays NL:SF 1965 Mark McGwire AL:Oak 1996 George Foster NL:Cin 1977 Ralph Kiner NL:Pitt 1947 Johnny Mize NL:NY 1947 Willie Mays NL:NY 1955 Cecil Fielder AL:Det 1990 Jimmie Foxx AL:Bos 1938 Albert Bell AL:Clev 1995 Brady Anderson AL:Balt. 1996 Sammy Sosa NL;Chi 2000
You can examine the above list and see the magic of 50 home runs in a season only to observe repeat names as they climb the ladder of success to defeat other great players in baseball history. Mark McGwire hit 52 in 1996 only to tie George Foster’s, Willie Mays’ and Mickey Mantle's records. Two-by-two in the chase in 1997, Ken Griffey, Jr. hit 56 to tie Hack Wilson’s record of 1930 and surpass Ruth’s 1920 97
and 1928 record of 54 while McGwire's 58 home runs tied Hank Greenberg’s 1938 and Jimmie Foxx’s 1932 record. JIMMIE FOXX 1907-1967 Jimmie Emory Foxx was born October 22, 1908, in Sudlersville, Maryland, and got his first trial with the Philadelphia Athletics, when he was seventeen. He traveled back and forth between the minors for more training but arrived at the A's to stay in 1928 as a catcher. He was moved to first base then to third and played most of his major league games at those positions. In his time, he was considered the strongest right-handed batter who ever played baseball. Called Double X by the sportswriters, his greatest year of home runs was in 1932 when the mildmannered player hit 58 home runs only one short of Ruth's 1921 record and two short of Ruth's 60 home runs in 1927. Foxx was a major reason for the Athletics winning the pennant in 1929, 1930, and 1931 and he enjoyed the pleasure of contributing to the World Series victories. As a player he earned $250,000 but by 1958 was without a job and could not pay his rent. After this fact was revealed by the Baseball Writers Association, he was offered jobs throughout the country. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951. He stated he had never gone after the homers. "But if I had broken Ruth's record,” he said, "it wouldn’t have made any difference. Oh, it might have put a few more dollars in my pocket, but there was only one Ruth." Foxx died in Miami at age fifty-nine on July 21, 1967.
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BABE RUTH 1895-1948
"A creation of the times, he seemed to embody all the qualities that a sport-loving nation demanded of its outstanding hero." His legend lives on as those behind him strive to break his records. “Babe” Ruth was born February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, MD. He grew up around his father’s saloons. His parents sent him to St. Mary’s Industrial School at age seven for orphans and delinquent boys. His parents were no longer able to discipline him. But under the Catholic order of Xaverian Brothers, their discipline taught him how to play baseball and about life. By 1913, he had carved out a reputation that he could pitch, catch, play the field, run fast, throw hard and hit the ball with authority. Jack Dunn, owner of the minor league Baltimore Orioles signed him to his first professional contract and 99
Ruth’s legal guardianship. Local sportswriters call Ruth “Jack Dunn’s Baby,” which quickly evolved into “Babe.” Dunn sold Ruth and two other young players to the Boston Red Sox in 1914 where Ruth played for five seasons. Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees in 1920. He retired from baseball in 1935. He died of throat cancer in New York on August 16, 1948, and was buried at the Gates of Heaven cemetery in Hawthorn, New York.1
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ROGER MARIS 1934-1985
Roger Maris was born September 10, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota. As quoted in Sports Illustrated, October 2, 1961, "When he hit his 59th home run of the season in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium one night last week, Roger Maris stood one swing sway from baseball's household god, George Herman Ruth. For the entire previous month, as he pursued the magic mark of 60, Maris lived under suffocating, unrelenting pressure---pressure such as no ballplayer has ever had to endure, not even Babe Ruth himself,"2 Roger Kahn, on assignment from Sports Illustrated, wrote. Maris was referred to by the Yankees as 101
the home run twin to Mickey Mantle and never really got the recognition he deserved until now as McGwire and Sosa both broke his 37-year record. Kahn described Maris as the most typical ballplayer in the world, “…six-foot, 197 pounds, handsome and the only ease he had with the media was his smile.” The media drove him nuts as he stated to Micky Mantle, but Mantle's reply was “You just have to get used to it.” He had just turned 27 and recently become a star as he kept bluntly answering the media in a very truthful Sagittarian manner which kept getting misinterpreted. The criticism of the media really hurt him. Under the pressure of the media, he made four big mistakes: (1) a wire service carried a story in late August that said he did not care about the record only the money 61 homers meant; (2) criticizing the fans at Yankee stadium, (3) calling the Umpire Hank ‘sore’ and finally (4) hurt and angry, refused to meet the press. When asked if he really wanted to break Ruth's record, he said, "Damn right," neglecting to pay the customary respect to the Babe. Roger Maris spoke softly and clearly but was not a phrase maker. When asked to describe the attention he was receiving, his reply was, "Irritating." When asked about the people he was meeting, his reply was "Mostly they're inconsiderate. The fans, they really get to me. Rip me, my family, everything. I like to eat at the Stage (a Jewish delicatessen in New York) and it's got so bad I can't eat there. I can't get a mouthful of food down without someone bothering me. They even ask for autographs at Mass." 102
Today players are groomed before they go in front of the press but Maris had no one to protect him except himself. An unfortunate image with the press, he never got the respect he deserved for the great ballplayer he was. Maris stated, "Why can't they understand? I don't want to be Babe Ruth. He was a great ballplayer. I'm not trying to replace him. The record is there and damn right I want to break it, but that isn't replacing Babe Ruth." To downplay Maris’ accomplishments, Ford C. Frick, the commissioner of baseball even had an asterisk inserted by Maris’ name to distinguish Maris' home run record from the one set in 1927 by Babe Ruth, who hit 60 in the days of a shorter, 154game season. But asterisk or not, October 1, 1961, Roger Maris made history when he hit his sixty-first home run of the season in st his 161 game on the final day of the 162-game season in Yankee Stadium against Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox. Maris had no "right" to break Ruth's record ostensibly because he was none of the things that had made Babe Ruth renowned as the Bambino. He was imported to the Yankees from Kansas City Athletics, a stocky figure with a blond crew cut, and he was playing only his second season in the celebrated pinstripes. He was considered an upstart in the House That Ruth Built, and the house that Mantle dominated. He was dour, aloof, something arch, and in no way the flamboyant bear portrayed by Babe Ruth. In 1964, the Yankees stopped winning pennants after and extraordinary run of 14 in 16 years. On December 8, 103
1966, Maris was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals where he again distinguished himself as a professional with a strong right-handed throwing arm from right field and a strong left-handed swing at the plate. He played in the World Series of 1967 and 1968 for the Cardinals, and then retired at the close of the 1968 season. His career line, with no asterisk, read: twelve years in the big leagues, 1,463 games, 5,101 times at bat, 1,325 hits, 275 home runs, 826 runs, 851 runs batted in and an average of .260. In seven different World Series, he hit six home runs. “The big thing with you,” a friend said to him, "is you tell the truth and don't go phony.” "That's all I know,” Roger Maris said. "That's the only way I know how to be. That's the way I'm gonna stay.” He died of cancer at the age of fifty-one, December 15, 1985. The most revered mark in sports is engraved on Maris’ tombstone. No date of birth or death, just 61 and '61. Isn't it ironic that the place where Maris finished his career is where Mark McGwire broke his record over 30 years later?
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MARK MCGWIRE
1963-
"With an electrifying jolt, Mark McGwire passed the Babe and caught Roger to set the stage for the record breaker."3 "And it's because of what I am doing and Sammy's doing and other great players that the fans are coming back."4 "The night before McGwire hit number 60, Jeff Idelson, a public relations official with the Baseball Hall of 105
Fame, went to sleep in his hotel with the bat Maris used to st club his 61 home run tucked under the covers with him. After all, it was a national treasure. But that wasn't the case 37 years ago. Maris' record was so deflated by Commissioner Ford Frick's announcement that a record set after 154 games would be devalued with an asterisk that only 23,154 people showed up to see Maris hit No. 61 at Yankee Stadium. No one paid much attention to the bat. Twelve years passed before Maris quietly donated it to the 5 Hall of Fame." McGwire’s father’s 61st birthday was Sept. 7, the day Mark hit his 61st home run. Mark’s son, Matthew, arrived at Busch Stadium from California that day, 14 minutes before the first pitch was thrown. At 1:21 PM, McGwire stepped into the batter’s box and one minute later propelled a pitch from 38-year-old right hander Mike 6 Morgan into the history books. On Tuesday Sept. 8, 1999, when McGwire clutched Maris' bat he knew that was the night he would make history. Two days before what would have been Maris' 64th birthday, at 8:18 PM, CDT McGwire stepped into the batter’s box with two outs and no one on base in the fourth inning and hit a 341 foot 62nd home run in St. Louis's 145th game to break Maris’ record. The Maris family was in the stands and Sammy Sosa in the field with the opposing team to enjoy the celebration, too. 7 Mark McGwire was born October 1, 1963, 7:30 AM PDT in Pomona, California, two years to the day after Maris had hit number 61 off of Tracy Stallard. McGwire’s season grand finale produced home runs on each of his final two swings, the last one a game-winning lightning bolt that left 106
him with a number--70. McGwire said that night, "It's unheard of for somebody to hit 70 home runs. So, I’m like in awe of myself right now." SAMMY SOSA 1968Chicago Cubs Outfielder was born November 12, 1968, in San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic.8
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BARRY BONDS 1964The McGwire-Sosa reign is history now. On October 4, 2001 in Houston Barry Bonds tied McGwire’s record then broke the record with two homers the next night playing at home against Los Angeles. Number 73 came on the last day of the season, off Dodgers’ knuckleballer Dennis Springer.9
Bonds edged out Lance Armstrong for Associated Press (AP) Male Athlete of the Year.10 Besides smashing Mark 108
McGwire’s three-year home run record, the San Francisco Giants’ slugger broke a pair of Babe Ruth’s records with 177 walks and the gaudy slugging percentage. Bonds hit .328 with 127 RBIs while moving from 17th place to seventh on the career list with 567 homers. The 73 homers, an unprecedented fourth MVP award, a record .863 slugging percentage prompted Bond’s award as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Bonds was born July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California.11 Black Sox Scandal Another interesting story is the “Black Sox Scandal” over a game played October 1, 1919, starting at 1:00 pm EST in Hoboken, NJ. Examining the planets for that date and time sheds some light on the scandal in which the Chicago White Sox threw games and players were expelled from baseball for life. Transiting Uranus in this chart was conjunct natal Neptune in the Birth of Baseball chart. How about that for busting up the corruption of the game!
How the Game of Baseball Came to Be A Little Baseball History England had a game called “rounders” which evolved into American baseball. The Red Stockings were one of the first teams to have an impact on baseball leaving the amateur ranks and being born as a professional sport. Harry Wright was paid $1,200 to manage the Red Stockings. They traveled over 11,000 miles and had a record of 56 victories and one tie. Their first defeat came at Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn on June 14, 1870, against the Atlantics when they lost 8-7. By season’s end, rising salaries and expenses 109
brought an end to the Red Stockings. However, their caliber of play paved the way for the first professional baseball league. 12 Ten men met at Collier’s Cafe on Broadway and Thirteenth Street in New York on March 17, 1871, and formed the National Association of Professional Baseball Players. By 1875, gambling and bribery had infiltrated the league and the public had lost confidence in the teams.
The National League The National League was created February 2, 1876, at the Grand Central Hotel in New York. The leader, William A. Hulbert, thought a tighter organization and a higher caliber of players was needed for the game to survive. Of course, the National League could not have survived had they not taken the best players from the National Association. Franchises were awarded to Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Louisville, New York, Hartford, Boston and Philadelphia. 13
The American League In 1901, the American League was founded with membership teams at New York, Boston, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis. 14 The first pitch in Major League history was thrown on April 22, 1876, between teams from Boston and Philadelphia of the National League. The first World Series began October 1, 1903, a contest between the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Red Sox won that series five games to three. The year 2000 marked season number 125 for this Major League. 110
Major League Baseball (MLB) Teams Today The American League West- Anaheim, Seattle, Texas, Oakland; The American League Central- Cleveland, Kansas City, Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit; The American League East - Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto, and New York. The National League West- Colorado, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Arizona; The National League Central - Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Houston; The National League East - Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Florida and Montreal.
The History of Hockey Hockey developed into an organized sport in the 1870’s, but originated as a Canadian sport where as early as the 17th century historians talk of a game played on iced canals with sticks and skates. The first recorded game of organized ice hockey took place on March 3, 1875, in Montreal in Victoria Skating Rink. 15 The National Hockey League (NHL) was founded November 22, 1917, at a meeting of the National Hockey 111
Association at Montreal’s Windsor Hotel. Representatives from the Montreal Canadians, Montreal Wanderers, Quebec Bulldogs, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Arenas were there. The NHL began its inaugural season December 19, 1917, with four clubs, two from Montreal, and one each from Ottawa and Toronto. Quebec dropped from the new league. By 1929 the NHL had expanded to ten teams. Lord Stanley of Preston donated a silver cup for presentation to Canada’s amateur championship team in 1893. Lord Stanley was the sixth Governor General of Canada. The Stanley Cup has been awarded ever since to the NHL playoff champion. 16 The NHL Western Conference: Central Division– consists of the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets; Northwest Division – Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild; Pacific Division – Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The NHL Eastern Conference: Atlanta Division – Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins; Northeast Division – Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres; Southeast Division – Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Atlanta Thrashers.
American Basketball History Professional basketball began in 1896, the public just didn’t know about it yet. The game of basketball was invented only five years earlier in 1891, by Dr. James 112
Naismith, a physical-education training instructor for the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Naismith asked that a peach basket be attached to a tall pole, so his students could get some exercise in the gym throwing a ball into the basket as a different type of class activity. From this exercise basketball was born and the game first originated. Basketball was stealing gym time from the regular physical training program. In protest against the instructors, the players sought out other facilities at which to play their game. The Trenton players gave up their amateur standing by paying the team members $15 each plus one dollar extra for the captain as they rented the Masonic Hall and thus began the birth of professional basketball in 1896.17 The American Basketball League was formed in 1925 with franchises in Washington, Boston, Rochester, Brooklyn, Fort Wayne, Detroit, Buffalo, Chicago and Cleveland.18 The National Basketball League was formed in 1937, with strong franchises in the Minneapolis Lakers, Syracuse Nationals and Rochester Royals.19 These teams evolved into the inception of the current National Basketball Association. There were other leagues now to add competition in trying to sign the best players. The Professional Basketball League of America had 24 teams and the Basketball Association of America had 11 teams.
Basketball Association of America (BAA) June 6, 1946, marked the second anniversary of D-Day honoring the end of World War II, and the birth of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) at the Commodore Hotel on New York’s East 42nd Street next to Grand Central 113
Station. The groups at this meeting were all connected to the already established hockey leagues with arenas. There were eleven members, five connected to the National Hockey League clubs, five connected with the American Hockey League and the eleventh connected to a man, Mike Uline who ran a hockey arena in Washington, D.C. The new league copied almost exactly the same team structure as the hockey teams. The East was New York, Boston, Providence, Philadelphia, Washington and Toronto. The West was Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Minneapolis, Fort Wayne, Rochester (NY), and finally Indianapolis who abandoned the National League just before the 1948-49 season began and joined the BAA. The BAA took in the survivors of the NBL after the 1948-49 season and increased the size of this league to 17 teams. The merger of these two leagues game birth to the National Basketball Association (NBA) August 3, 1949. By the end of the 1950-51 season the 17 teams had diminished to 11 teams with both a stronger organization and stronger teams. Records from the earlier teams were brought forward with the teams’ births acknowledged as prior to the merger.
Birth of American Basketball Association (ABA) The American Basketball Association (ABA) was born February 1, 1967. On June 17, 1976, it officially died. ABA teams only wanted people to know how good they were as players. They turned basketball into an exciting game that the fans enjoyed more than the conservative NBA. Four teams, the New York Nets, The Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs, were the only teams to survive and join the NBA from the ABA. 114
The Modern Basketball League The NBA Western Conference includes the Seattle Supersonics, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets. The NBA Eastern Conference consists of the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knickerbockers, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. Women’s professional leagues have developed the last couple of years as well. The women’s ABL was born and folded.
Women’s National Basketball Association
(WNBA)
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was formed April 24, 1996. When the NBA Board of Governors approved the Women’s National Basketball Association concept, Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes became the first players to sign with the WNBA. They were joined by Olympic teammates Lisa Leslie and Ruthie BoltonHolifield. Eight cities, Charlotte, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento and Utah were selected to host the WNBA’s charter teams. Since then eight additional teams have joined the league.
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The WNBA Eastern Conference: Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, and New York Liberty. The WNBA Western Conference: Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz. With the birth of the Women’s NBA teams, we had the opportunity to watch eight teams play 28 games each, hold a 4-team single elimination playoff and head to the first championship in September 1997. The first WNBA season began June 21, 1997, and the Houston Comets won the first four WNBA Championships. Many members from the US Olympic Women’s basketball team who earned a gold medal for the United States were stars in the exciting 1996 WNBA lineup. Most of these ladies were drafted January 22, 1997, in the first WNBA draft and others joined the teams from the great college teams. Eight teams with four birth charts were put into place June 21 and 22, 1997. Six teams were born June 21, with the same basic planetary structure. Varying degrees of the Moon and chart wheel ascendants and placements of the planets in the chart describe the differences among the teams. Two teams were born June 22. Notice the charts for each of those eight teams. The NBA divided the talent pretty evenly among the teams. Now let’s see where the planets were on opening day and find out why the Houston Comets dominated for four straight years before the Los Angeles Sparks and Lisa Leslie finally won their first WNBA championship.
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First Conference Game WNBA – Birth of Four Women’s NBA Teams On Saturday, June 21, 1997, at 1:00 pm PDT, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, 14284 fans stood and cheered as Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks were introduced for their game with the visiting New York Liberty. History was in the making as Sparks guard Penny Toler, less than a minute after the game started, hit an 11-foot jump shot. These points would be forever the first scored in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The New York Liberty won their first game on the road 67-57. In losing, the Sparks shot 31% and had 25 turnovers but the kids didn’t care. All they could think of was telling their parents they wanted a Lisa Leslie jersey.
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Birth of Los Angeles Sparks /New York Liberty June 21, 1997 1:00 pm PDT Inglewood, CA
The New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks began their season debut with the Sun at 0 Cancer applying to a square to Mars and the Ascendant at 1 Libra. Sun/Mars square gives team endurance strength and a competitive drive for recognition. With the Sun one degree applying to a conjunction with the Midheaven, it is evident these two teams want a championship from game one. Their Moon at 14 118
Capricorn demands organized skilled play as well as status and recognition. Venus rules the Los Angeles Sparks and is quincunx Jupiter that forces them to make adjustments to get on the right track. The New York Liberty is ruled by Mars, in their 12th house, square the Sun, giving them extra strength to meet the challenge of the other teams.
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Birth of Cleveland Rockers /Houston Comets June 21, 1997, 7:00 pm EDT, Cleveland, OH
In Cleveland, Ohio at 7:00 pm EDT, it didn’t matter that the hometown Rockers were never in the game against the Houston Comets as 11,355 fans at Gund Arena went nuts from the moment the announcer said, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WNBA.” The Comets blew out the Rockers 76-56 but the fans were most impressed at how the 120
girls could hit free throws, which is something their big brothers in the NBA miss quite often. The Houston Comets and Cleveland Rockers also began their season debut with the Sun at 0 Cancer applying to a square to Mars at 1 Libra. Again Sun/Mars gives extra strength and drive to both teams. The Cleveland Rockers are ruled by Jupiter at 21 Aquarius exactly quincunx Venus at 21 Cancer 42 minutes. Both the Rockers and the Comets were probably sharper and made adjustments more quickly than the other teams in the league because of this exact aspect. The Houston Comets are ruled by Mercury at 25 Gemini applying to a 4-degree quincunx to Neptune at 29 Capricorn. The Comets were able to react quicker mentally and intuitively because of this aspect. These two teams have the Moon at 15 Capricorn. Technically the two teams that played one another are twins; however, during their first game they were ruled by different planets. Obviously the Comets had the better players. The Comets are ruled by Mercury at 25 Gemini. Mercury is the Point Guard, Cynthia Cooper, born April 14, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois.
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Cynthia Cooper also won four MVP awards during the first four WNBA championships. How did her chart empower the Comets team through four championships? Her Saturn at 21 Aquarius conjuncts the Comets’ Jupiter adding discipline to the team in their expansive approach to the games. She had a great talented team to play with but much like Michael Jordan did with the Chicago Bulls, she took the responsibility on her own shoulders to see that this team won those four championships. There are several places in the Comets’ birth chart you could move the planets forward by four degrees to see that energy hangs in there applying for four years. Natal Jupiter at 21 Aquarius moved to 25 Aquarius in four years trining natal
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Mercury at 25 Gemini. Natal Mercury at 25 Gemini moved to 29 Gemini in four years quincunx Neptune at 29 Capricorn. After four years, the energy moved on and is gone now until other planets move in place to activate the chart. All the teams were born on the 21st have a Moon in Capricorn square Saturn in Aries. The Los Angeles Sparks had a four-degree square. Saturn/Moon causes delays and disappointments. Maybe the Moon progressing to 19 Capricorn by solar arc is what unlocked their team chart to their first WNBA championship five years later.
Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz
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Later on June 21st, at 7:30 pm MDT in Salt Lake City, Utah Starzz guard Tammi Reiss hit a three-pointer to a deafening roaring capacity crowd of 8,915 at the Delta Center as her team played the Sacramento Monarchs. The Utah front office underestimated interest in the Starzz and gave away 2,000 tickets. They had a meet-the-players reception and were only expecting about 300 people. They were surprised when 1,000 people showed up and the reception time had to be extended to three hours. The Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz made their season debut as game three of opening day in Salt Lake City. The Sun/Mars square drives these two teams the same as the four teams which played earlier in the day. The chart of the Utah Starzz is ruled by Jupiter at 21 Aquarius and that of Sacramento Monarchs is ruled by Mercury at 26 Gemini. A couple of differences apply here. The Moon at 17 Capricorn is one to two degrees later than the other teams born that Saturday. Venus is separating by 7 minutes from the quincunx to Jupiter, which could take some stress off the adjustment factor for these teams. Mercury is one degree later and three degrees from a quincunx to Neptune. Mercury/Neptune adjustments can be confusing at first, but a strength later as this aspect can provide ‘eyes in the back of one’s head,’ an impetus to reacting quicker to the other team’s defense.
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Phoenix Mercury/Charlotte Sting
On Sunday, June 22, 1997, at 1:00 pm PST in Phoenix’s America West Arena, 16,102 fans watched their hometown Mercury play the Charlotte Sting in their debut game. Their contest on opening day was so intense that it may have even surprised both teams. The chart of the Phoenix Mercury is ruled by Venus at 22 Cancer opposite the Moon/Neptune at 29 Capricorn. Moon/Neptune gives teams an underdog flavor. The chart of Charlotte is ruled by Mars, separating from the Sun by 6 minutes. The Sting has great talent and once they adjust to the power of Mars they could show us a different team in Charlotte than when they began play. 125
The new league, hyped, choreographed and heavily bankrolled by big brother NBA exceeded all expectations in its attendance that first weekend. The league plays in NBA arenas and has their big brother teams backing them all the way. The U.S. women’s team that won the gold medal in Atlanta helped set the momentum and the prospect of a multiyear TV contract and corporate sponsors for the WNBA. Three games a week were nationally televised during the WNBA inaugural season, one by Lifetime, targeted to women; one by ESPN, targeted to men; and one by NBC which targets everyone. The NBC coverage of the Los Angeles/New York game beat out all other national sports competitions in the Nielsen TV ratings and received a 3.8 overnight rating, outdrawing regional telecasts of major league baseball on Fox, the PGA’s Buick Classic on CBS and the Auto Club 200 on ABC. The Charlotte/Phoenix Sunday game drew a 3.0 overnight rating. These Neilsen ratings not only elevated the women’s game but probably will attract some decent commercial backers for the girls as well. The opening games were not great as the players were highly nervous and had only played together as a team for two weeks before their debut, but no one seemed to care. Families enjoy this league where there are no big heads and no big salaries. The fans were cheering for free throws, by the way that the players were hitting. The players had been overwhelmed by the acceptance and support for the new league. One of the most exciting teams to watch is the New York Liberty featuring Rebecca Lobo. After two weeks of play they were 7-0, with Lobo having a 102 game winning streak extending from college play to collegiate NCAA Championship to the 1994 Olympic Gold Medal to the pros in New York. I originally asked, “Can Lobo playing keep her team undefeated throughout their first WNBA Championship?” The only team 126
running close to the Liberty then was the Houston Comets which after two weeks and three games against the Liberty were 0-3, only losing the game by a couple of points. We now know the history and that Houston got past the Liberty and Sparks for four straight years. There was an American Basketball League too, which completed their first 40 game season in smaller cities with only 4,000 in attendance per game. They had eight of the twelve members of the U.S. Olympic team on their teams and paid better salaries than the WNBA. The ABL also cleaned up in the spring, drafting the best college players. The ABL spent about $1.5 million on marketing in its first year and lost $4 million, where the WNBA marketing spent $15 million to promote their teams. Remember the old ABA, which totally revolutionized the NBA game today. They were creative, hit three point shots, and were fast and exciting to watch. All they ever wanted was for people to know how good they really were. Four ABA teams survived to join the NBA, the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, New York Nets and the Denver Nuggets. The marketing of the WNBA will help the ABA and increase the awareness of the fans that women’s basketball is not only a winter sport but also an all summer sport for the ladies too. “Parents may never again hear it said of their daughters: What a shame she’s not a boy.” 20
WNBA TEAMS & WNBA ARENAS Charter Franchises 1997 – present Charlotte Sting - Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC.
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Cleveland Rockers - Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH. Houston Comets - Compaq Center, Houston, TX. Los Angeles Sparks - Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA. New York Liberty - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. Phoenix Mercury - American West Arena, Phoenix, AZ. Sacramento Monarchs - ARCO Arena II, Sacramento, CA. Utah Starzz - Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT.
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Expansion Franchises – 1998 Detroit Shock - Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI. First Game: June 13, 1998, 7:30 pm at Auburn Hills, Mich. Played Charlotte Sting – Lost 78-69
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Washington Mystics - MCI Center, Washington, DC First Game: June 11, 1998, 7:30 pm at Charlotte, NC. Payed Charlotte Sting – Lost 57-83.
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Expansion Franchises – 1999 Minnesota Lynx - Target Center, Minneapolis, MN First Game: June 12, 1999, 7:00 pm at Minneapolis, MN. Played Detroit Shock. Won 51-68.
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Orlando Miracle - TD Waterhouse Center, Orlando, FL First Game: June 10, 1999, 8:00 pm at Orlando, FL. Played Houston Comets. Lost 77-63
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Expansion Franchises – 2000 Indiana Fever - Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN First Game: June 1, 2000, 7:00 pm at Miami, FL. Played Miami Sol. Won 57-54.
Miami Sol - American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL First Game: June 1, 2000, 7:00 pm at Miami, FL. Played Indiana Fever. Lost 57-54
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Portland Fire - American West Arena, Portland, OR First Game: May 31, 2000, 7:00 pm at Portland, OR. Played Houston Comets. Lost 89-93.
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Seattle Storm - KeyArena at Seattle Center, Seattle, WA First Game: May 31, 2000, 7:00 pm at Seattle, WA. Played Sacramento Monarchs.
Special thanks to Nancy McEwen for gathering this information for me.
Team sports have grown over the years in many directions. Be A Winner...Against All Odds adds astrology to 135
the intrigue of team sports in its use as a tool to investigate the birth of these teams and how the windows of opportunity on game day add additional strengths or challenges for the teams on game day. Be A Winner...Against All Odds begins its investigation with the NFL’s birth, history and Super Bowls.
Other Areas of Interest North American Society for Sports History Hall of Games Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Springfield, MA National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – Cooperstown, NY National Football Foundation (College) Hall of Fame and Museum, Kingsmius, OH National Soccer Hall of Fame – Oneonta, NY Pro Football Hall of Fame – Canton, OH U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Eveleth, MN History of Team Sports in American Where did Sports Begin? Summer Olympics 1896 – Athens, Greece Winter Olympics 1924 – Chamonix, France The following article gave me the measuring stick to evaluate what I found repetitively in the players chart by position in football:
Pro Football - Can Psychoanalysis Unlock the Winning Combination?
A Psychiatric Study of Professional Football – A former NFL “psychiatrist-in-residence” reports on player behavior and addresses the question: Can Psychoanalysis provide the winning edge? By Arnold J. Mandell, M.D. 136
Two years ago Harland Svare, then head coach of the San Diego Chargers, asked me to lunch to talk about football. I was then, as I am now, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. I had never paid much attention to football. During my five years of basic medical training, when we lived in the shadow of New Orleans’ Sugar Bowl, I didn’t attend a single game. I had been in San Diego as many years, and I still wasn’t paying attention to football. The Chargers were a losing team, and Coach Svare, an imaginative man, wondered if my training might equip me to notice things about the attitudes and the behavior of his players that could help give the team what is often called “the winning edge.” Our lunch lasted three hours, and the result was that the Chargers retained me as a sort of psychiatrist-inresidence – the first, I believe, for a National Football League team. As Svare’s invitation I began to hang around the team. I joined the members of the Charger squad in the locker room, at team lectures, at practice, on the plane to and from away games, and on the sidelines during the games. In all, I conducted over 200 hours of individual interviews with them. My function was to provide the coaches with a clearer understanding of the players and their positions and more practically, to make actual personnel comments and recommendations. When I first sat on the bench, I realized I was hearing the sounds of a Stone Age battleground. You can’t pick them up on television or from a seat in the stadium. But on 137
the bench you hear grunts, groans, hits – mankind’s most fundamental sounds. I quickly learned what many Sunday widows already realized – that football is not a game but a religion, a metaphysical island of fundamental truth in a highly verbal, disguised society, a throwback of 30,000 generations of anthropological time. When I was first around the team, the players thought I was spooky because I just stood there and watched. It was to take me more than a year to break down barriers and build trust between the players and me. But after only a few weeks, I rushed to Coach Svare with my first systematic insight, “Harland,” I said, “I think I can tell whether a player is on offense or defense just by looking at his locker. The offensive players keep their lockers clean and orderly but the lockers of the defensive men are a mess. In face, the better the defensive player, the bigger the mess.” As I pored over scouting reports and interviewed players and coaches from numerous NFL teams, it became clear that offensive football players like structure and discipline. They want to maintain the status quo. They tend to be conservative as people, and as football players they take comfort in repetitious practice of well-planned and well-executed plays. The defensive players, just as clearly, can’t stand structure; their attitudes, their behavior, and their lifestyles beat this out. They operate as through they’ve been put out of the tribe and are trying to show people that tribal structure is worthless anyway. Ostracism does not bother them; it serves as a course of fuel for their destructive energies. Rules or regulations put 138
forward by anybody, anyplace, are to be challenged. Coaches find defensive players notably more difficult to control than offensive teammates. Offensive and defensive football players, I noticed, often had little or nothing to do with one another. There was one exception on the Chargers: Walt Sweeney, an allpro offensive guard, had the personality of a defensive player, and his friends were all on the defensive team. (In fact, Sweeney wasn’t that much of an exception. The Chargers drafted him to be a linebacker, and that was the position he himself preferred.) When I mention my new “rule,” Svare, a former linebacker, responded, “Sure, I never put it in words, but I’m basically a defensive player, and I find myself liking defensive players more than offensive players as people. I have very little patience with the rituals and repetition involved in the offense. We just don’t look at the world the same way.” So I found that, despite the nomenclature, the offensive squad is made up of defenders of structure and the defensive squad is garrisoned with attack troups. I began to differentiate the personality profiles of these men independently of any prior knowledge about the specific requirements of their individual positions. Before long a personality classification in relation to position began to emerge. The consistency of the patterns seems explainable on the basis of the selection that occurs before any professional football player gains a regular starting position in the NFL. 139
Every year several thousand college football players are eligible; not more than 600 are seriously considered, and of those 50 to 100 make it to the NFL. The selection goes on year after year. A player maintains his position by winning individual battles week after week on the field, where his performance is witnessed, filmed, and “graded.” The crop of players is weeded systematically. The athletic difference between those who remain and those who are dropped is amazingly small. When it comes to making it in the NFL, practically every owner or coach with whom I’ve talked says, reverently and resignedly, “The game is in the min.” In addition to athletic ability, motivation, and commitment, the player needs a personality that meets the requirements of his position. This Darwinian process leaves each participant as an island of psychobiological organization in a circumstance that tests physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual strength – manon-man- and in which psychological pressure from peers is even more potent a motivation than the challenge from the enemy. A suitable personality becomes the most significant and necessary component of survival. Making a proper match between player and position, then, is necessary for personal happiness, because players working in the wrong position are uneasy and attempt to correct for their uneasiness. Or, as aggressive and territorial individuals are very prone to do, they become depressed, turning their aggression inward. Like the rest of us, they become demoralized and lose effectiveness when they aren’t in the right place to function at their best. It is important to realize that professional football players are, to mint a term, “homoclites.” That is, they are 140
extremely normal people – stable and anxiety-free, accustomed to handling pressures and performing extraordinarily and quickly. Many of them are also paranoid, but my use of that term – and of other from psychology – does not imply pathology; it implies a personality trait within normal limits. The men who fill particular positions on the offensive team can be described by clusters of personality traits. The offensive linemen in general (centers, guards, tackles, and, to an extent, tight ends) are ambitious, tenacious, precise attentive to detail. They manifest a kind of toughness that I would call stubborn rather than explosive. They work hard. Their traits clearly suit them for their work. As blocking assignments become ever more intricate, the linemen must practice like a ballet corps to coordinate perfectly the necessary spatial and temporal movements of blocking patterns. They also have to stand firm and cool when an opposing defensive line rushes their passer, no matter what verbal or physical abuse is thrown at them; they must care only about protecting their quarterback, not about proving their masculinity in an explosive way. A sacrificial attitude toward the welfare of the team is integral to the offensive linemen. Within the offensive line itself, the typical personalities of center, guard, tackles, and tight ends are readily distinguishable. The center, who often has to call signals, is usually the brightest. His loquaciousness in relation to other members of the line reflects his leadership. The guard may be bright, and he is quicker than the center. He may also be more aggressive – in the violent, rather than 141
the stubborn, sense – because on sweeps he may be called upon to block downfield. His assertiveness is more persistent; the center’s is more volatile. The tackle is slower, more patient, and even more persistent than the guard. He is not called on to be as mobile as the guard, and he doesn’t have to get the middle linebacker with an explosive block, as the center does. He maintains and sustains. Stubborn tenacity is prototypical of the offensive tackle; his loyalty and commitment to the welfare of the team know no match. The side receiver is a very special human being. He shares many features with actors and movie stars. He is narcissistic and vain, and basically a loner. Whereas the offensive linemen may hang around together (the center is particularly gregarious), the wide receiver often lies alone, dates alone, and remains a bit of a mystery. He is tactful in interpersonal encounters but elusive and hard to locate as a person. Like the track star, the good wide receiver is disciplined because the precision required to gun intricate pass patterns and hold onto passes while he is getting clobbered requires discipline. Yet the courage of the wide receiver is more brittle than that of the other offensive linemen. His elusiveness may move beyond unpredictability to treachery. Typically, the side receiver doesn’t mind getting hurt on the body, but he doesn’t like his face to be touched – he’s afraid of disfigurement. Essential, brilliant, vain and not too friendly, he’s rarely a popular member of the team. Disaffinity may be particularly acute between wide receivers and linebackers. 142
I have found two kinds of running backs. One is like the wide receiver: tough, treacherous, quick, lonely, and perhaps even paranoid, like the much traveled Duane Thomas, perhaps the most gifted runner of all time. That paranoia is adaptive for a man whom everybody on defense is out to get. His particular unpredictability makes him even more difficult than a wide receiver to locate as a person. He’s never where you expect him to be. In his days with the Chargers, Thomas was as difficult to locate off the field as on; if you made a date with him, he was likely not to be there. He is a good example of how a really great football player’s personality is welded to his job. The other kind of offensive back – the Larry Csonka kind – runs straight ahead. He’s honest, tough, strong, disciplined, and if his toughness is a touch brutal, he may be great. He’s not as quick as he might not be as treacherous or paranoid, as the flanking back. He will work long and hard; he has some offensive tackle in him. Back to the line, to the tight end. It’s difficult to find an ideal tight end because the chores he is required to do are virtually incompatible and therefore demand incompatible personality traits. The tight end must block like an offensive lineman or a fullback yet catch passes like a wide receiver. Blocking well requires bodily sacrifice for the welfare of others and does not gratify vanity; so the tight end can’t have too much wide receiver in him. He does well to replace that with a bit of the distrust found in Duane Thomas-type running back.
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The most difficult of the offensive players to categorize are the quarterbacks. I have studied the scouting reports of a number of quarterbacks and talked about them with scouts, teammates, reporters, owners, and coaches. Given the physical ability, passing talent, and intelligence, the major determinant of success as a quarterback appears to be self-confidence – a self-confidence that is more akin to super-arrogance. The physical threat to a quarterback passing from the “pocket” is intolerable. To stand there to the last millisecond, waiting for your receiver to reach the place the ball is supposed to go while you are being rushed by mammoth defensive linemen – that takes sheer courage. A single mistake might negate all the efforts and sacrifices of your teammates – as well as lay you open to a fearful pounding. To stand that kind of responsibility requires poise beyond that possessed by most men. How is the poise of successful type of quarterback achieved? From my observations, there appear to be at least two routes. One is that of the naturally arrogant man who does not feel bound by the rules governing other men. He makes his own. He exploits the environment in a tough, tricky way and with very little compuction. Such men have run their talents and capacities to incredible self-advantage with no apparent anxiety or guilt. And they win football games -yea, even championships. The Joe Namaths and Sonny Jurgensens fit well into this category. The other way to turn in that kind of performance under those battle conditions is with assurance from On High. The Cowboy’ Roger Staubach and the peerless John 144
Unitas, who has finished his outstanding career, are in this group. So is Fran Tarkenton, the Vikings’ renowned scrambler. We might call them and their comrades the religious quarterbacks. They attend church regularly, are active in such organizations as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and have a truly evangelical mission that they carry forward with the calm certitude of the believer, the chose one. (In my two seasons with the Chargers, I got a chance to see Unitas up close and was struck by his religious commitment, as well as by his humility. These qualities helped insulate him from what was obviously a particularly stressful situation: the struggle of a player of his stature and past achievements to remain a firststringer.) The believer-quarterbacks win championships, too. But any quarterback who leads with kindness and concern for others, who feels anxious about his responsibility to the 47 other men on the team and guilty over the outcome of his own actions, may collapse at critical moments – at the climax of a game or as his team moves closer to the playoffs. Students of the game point to John Hadl, the Rams’ all-pro quarterback whose pass-completion percentages dropped off drastically in the critical final games of last season. The increasing use of computers to analyze the plays called b individual quarterbacks in various situations may change the personality requirements of successful quarterbacking. Except for audible signals (which can be employed in a significant percentage of the plays), computer-versus-computer may eventually lead to all plays 145
being called form the bench. The defensive team may be able to guess what the opposing quarterback is going to do before he himself knows it – by a computer calculation of what he has done 77 percent of the time on “third and long” early in the fourth quarter when his team is behind by seven points. Will this unurpation change the need for superarrogance in quarterbacks? Maybe the super-arrogant will not obey readily. Many disciplined college quarterbacks who obeyed readily have not been able to make it in pro football; their opportunities may increase when plays are called from the bench. The defensive team members are the renegades. They attack structure, and they feel that little is to be gained by identification with the establishment. They are basically angry and rebellious, primed to explode. The degree of inhibition controlling the grigger varies with the distance from the line of scrimmage. The defensive linemen, in contrast to offensive linemen, are restless, peevish, irritable, impatient, intolerant of detail and barely under control. Usually, it is the defensive players (especially the linemen) who have committed the impulsive, flamboyant acts that make newspaper headlines. The defensive linemen have the least-well-organized inhibitory systems. They are wild and free of conflict on the attack. The tackles may be reserved in some ways, but they, too, relish the hostilities. I remember one defensive tackle, a wonderful human being with his wife and family and friends, telling me gleefully in the heat of a game, “Look at 146
that (a rookie quarterback entering the game for the opposing team.) It’s like letting me into a candy store!” Defensive ends have even more spleen, and they are quicker. They display swagger and showmanship. Defensive end Deacon Jones, the former Ram superstar now with the Chargers, demonstrated at least the spleen at last year’s training camp. He parked his car in the same no-parking zone for 40 consecutive days, even though he got a ticket – and paid the fine – each day. The defensive lineman takes great joy in his unbridled assault on organization. Guilt or depression are not normally in his repertoire, although sometimes, as during the Monday blues, one can see vague hints. His temper, brutality, bluntness, and sarcastic sense of humor predict his success. Linebackers experience more conflict about the aggression they manifest and by the same token achieve more precision of time and place in their attack. The linebacker in particular struggles with this balance of aggression and inhibition. Often he achieves a public image as a solid citizen; yet simultaneously he’s a killer. When I asked a number of NFL scouts whom they would send behind the lines in wartime to assassinate an important enemy, they said a linebacker; his cleverness and air of legitimacy would get him into the country and let him pass as a good citizen, and his brutality, would let him kill when the time came. The linebacker pays heavily for his control. Keeping so much hostility on short rein occasionally forces the aggression inward, and the linebacker typically has periods of depression. He needs a 147
seventh sense and special visual capacities to diagnose plays and to go where he is needed. The defensive linemen either stay or charge, but the linebackers may need to stay, charge, or go back. In linebackers I found two kinds of intelligence. Some have the capacity to memorize a sequence of rules of behavior for themselves. Following certain key – movements by opposing center, guards, or fullbacks – they behave according to that set of rules. Other linebackers achieve the same effectiveness without knowing the rules very well. They actually visualize the action of the entire field and have the capacity to follow the developing patterns of movement. These men often make brilliant plays; but, as in the case of all positions. If the opposing team knows their habits well, they can be badly fooled. The linebacker is a fascinating combination of control, brutality, and internal conflict. He does not lack vanity, but unlike the wide receiver, whose witness are his parents or the fans, the linebacker evaluates his own performance. He wants to look good to himself. When he fails, he can almost destroy himself in depression. In the defensive backfield the aggression gets buried under more and more inhibition and discipline. These men are like long-distance runners: they are loners, but they are nowhere near as hungry for glory as are the wide receivers. In place of the vanity and fantasies of the wide receivers, the defensive backs experience depression and rage. They have traits that can be found in offensive linemen, wide receivers, and line backers. They are tenacious. They must learn zone and man-on-man pass148
defense patterns that require incredible self-discipline in the furor of battle. They must not be led by their natural inclination, which is to follow receivers out of their zone before the quarterback releases the ball on a pass play. They must execute patterns precisely. To counter running plays, however, they must move up fast and, though lighter and weaker than the running backs they are trying to stop, hit very hard. So they need controlled and timed brutality and anger. In my research team’s recent study of more than 600 potential NFL draft choices, six men were found to be almost suicidally depressed; all of them were defensive backs. The depression of a corner back who has been “beaten” on a pass-play may last for days, though the great ones’ shake it off somehow. The depression resulting from the inhibition of so much aggression can put such men in constant danger of self –destruction. Professional football, because there are objective criteria for performance, provides a model situation in which to observe an ultimate test of function. Given the same amount of athletic ability, why do some men fail and others succeed? Inevitably it is because the personality orientations of the latter better fit the tasks. No amount of coaching seems to alter these basic traits. Pragmatically, the NFL system quickly separates the misfits – even the athletically competent ones – from the team. My experience with the men who play NFL football renewed my conviction that the psychobiological organization of personality, when it coincides with the appropriate role, is perhaps the most significant single determinant of 149
personal success and happiness in life. DeGaulte was obviously a quarterback. Wood Allen is a defensive back. According to a recent profile in The New Yorker, Allen lives to “endlessly fend off guilt” with his continuous commitment to effort and performance. There is little or none of the vanity of the wide receiver in Woody Allen. Former President Nixon’s stubbornly persistent and tenacious (not brilliant or explosive) management of his crises reminds me of the instincts of an offensive lineman. His attempts to be blunt, quick, and clever would have suited him to be an offensive guard. My mother is an offensive lineman, a center-guard; my father; a classical wide receiver. My wife is a gifted centerguard. My medical school dean, John Moxely III, is a linebacker; my university chancellor, William McElroy, is a defensive personality, too, perhaps a linebacker. President Ford is a natural offensive lineman, which is in fact what he was at the University of Michigan. Truman Capote is a wide receiver. Kate Smith is a fullback in more than size. Leonard Bernstein is a cross between a quarterback and a wide receiver. I am often asked what I accomplished for the Chargers. The answer has to be: very little. The team’s dismal record over the past two years – 6 victories in 28 games – indicates that. So does my own professional observation. When attack troops hit the beach of the enemy’s territory, some may benefit from benedictory reassurance, other from biochemical madness, few if any from a reminder that their current fear is reminiscent of the “castration anxiety” of their early childhood. Psychiatry and pro football, I 150
conclude, probably don’t mix. Or if they do, the blend is best left to the brewmaster, the head coach. The shrinks should stay with the rest of the armchair experts – in front of their television sets. 21 Dr. Mandell’s research was supported by Friends of Psychiatric Research of San Diego, Inc. My OWN research using the above article as a measuring stick to look and see what was in the timed charts of football players by position reflected these traits. I first expressed my desire to do research on professional athletics to Neil Michelsen of Astro Computing Services in San Diego, California. He directed me to two books he felt would help me astrologically to see what research had already been done before I could understand what I was about to do. The two books were Cosmic Influence on Human Behavior, the Planetary Factors in Personality by Michel Gauquelin and Recent Advances in Natal Astrology by Geoffery Dean. In 1982, The Gauquelin Book of American Charts by Michel and Francoise Guauelin was published, adding to birth data I already had.22 After studying the Gauquelin data on the prominence of Mars in the athletes’ charts, my curious mind wanted to know more. Why is an athlete in football a quarterback instead of a defensive back? Why are basketball players 6’8” and taller? Is there some repetitive behavior pattern prominent in the positions with similar responsibilities in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey? Are there differences between the athletes who play team sports versus those athletes who have to be the only star such as tennis and golf? 151
What separates the top athletes who make the Hall of Fame from the average player? I can read the statistics of their professional performance as an athletic, but what is there astrologically that separates these issues? I did a poster session in Monterey, California in 1995 at UAC, an astrological conference featuring the top astrologers in the world. I presented the material I had found on the research of the football players divided up by the positions they play. The offensive players were separated from the defensive players. And the overlap of team sports, the quarterback in football, the playmaker guard in basketball and the catcher in baseball were compared for similarities since they call the plays in their given sport. They are the engine that run the train. Still research continues on baseball, soccer and hockey players, but the following is what I found by position in football players. Back to basics, what planet do you think would represent the offense and defense in football? Saturn represents structure and discipline. Uranus represents breaking down of structure, rebellion and challenge. As I mentioned in Chapter One, Astrology is all about energy and timing. The 360-degree circle of the horoscope is divided into 12 parts called houses.
Angular or Cardinal Houses Ascendant is the first house. The MC is the 10th house. The 7th house is the descendant and the 4th house if referred to as the IC. These four houses are referred to as angular houses. They correlates with the Cardinal Signs which are Aries – 1st house; Cancer – 4th house; Libra – 7th house; Capricorn – 10th house. Regardless of what time you are 152
born or what sign your Sun occupies or what sign is on YOUR 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th houses, these houses are always referred to as angular and the planets that sit in these houses are energies people see in you first and energies you project first to others. Cardinal energy is self-starters, aggressive pioneering folks willing to take chances to get where they are going immediately. Angular house energy is energy you cannot hide – everybody sees it.
Fixed or Succedent Houses Fixed houses are the 2nd 5th, 8th and 11th. These houses correlate with the energy of the fixed signs – Taurus – 2nd house; Leo – 5th house; Scorpio – 8th house and Aquarius – 11th house. Fixed energy is stubborn – Taurus; demanding – Leo; persistent and enduring – Scorpio; rebellious and inventive Aquarius. These houses are also called succedent houses as they follow the angular houses. Offensive and defensive linemen’s Sun Signs are predominantly Fixed Sign – Taurus – Leo – Scorpio - Aquarius.
Mutable or Cadent Houses Mutable signs refer to 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses in the horoscope. Gemini – 3rd; Virgo – 6th; Sagittarius – 9th; Pisces – 12th houses. Cadent Houses are same as the mutable signs. This energy is flexible, fast, quick moving energy able to make adjustments quickly. I’ve said the above so the following makes more sense because what I found in my research was not the sign a planet is in but where it sits in the chart that defines the repetitive energy I found by position in the football players charts. 153
Offense – I found Saturn and Uranus predominately in succedent houses. Their discipline (Saturn) and rebellion (Uranus) in FIXED houses – stubborn, persistent, endurance, fixed in place not to move except where the structure and discipline of the play patterns take them. This includes Offensive Linemen, Quarterbacks, Running backs. The exception to the rule, the Wide Receivers have Saturn in succedent houses but Uranus Angular. Tight Ends have both Saturn and Uranus in Angular houses. In Mandell’s article wasn’t that the case with these positions too? Defense – I found Saturn and Uranus predominately in Angular Houses. Rebellion, challenge, breaking down the structure of the offense out there where everyone knows this is there job to shatter the offense’s game plan. Defensive linemen have both Saturn and Uranus in Angular Houses. Defensive Linebackers have Saturn in Succedent Houses and Uranus in Cadent Houses. Defensive backs have Saturn in Angular Houses and Uranus in Cadent Houses. Offensive Linemen – Mercury Angular, Moon Cadent, Mars Angular in Fire Signs. Center – Mercury, Venus, Mars Angular Houses Offensive Tackle – Venus Angular Houses – Jupiter Cadent Houses Offensive Guard – Moon Cadent Houses – Mercury Succedent Houses; Mars Angular Houses Tight Ends – Sun/Moon Succedent Houses; Mercury Angular; Venus Cadent Houses; Mars Succedent Houses
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Wide Receivers – Moon Angular Houses; Mercury Succedent Houses; Venus Angular Houses; Jupiter Angular Houses; Pluto Angular Houses; Neptune Cadent House Running Backs – Venus – Cadent Houses; Mercury - Angular Houses; Moon – Earth and Air signs; Neptune – Succedent houses; Pluto – Cadent Houses Quarterbacks – Ascendant – Cardinal Signs; Sun/Moon Sign in Fixed Houses; Venus in Cadent Houses; Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus – Succedent Houses; Neptune – Angular Houses; Pluto – Succedent Houses. Great Quarterbacks- Another prominent point is the GREAT QUARTERBACKS versus the regular quarterback – Mercury/Uranus and Saturn/Mars. Mercury/Uranus is the peripheral vision and computer mind that calls the play in the huddle and goes instead to the open receiver and wins championships. Saturn/Mars is controlled energy under pressure - threading the needle and getting the ball to the receiver and winning the game regardless of what adversity arises during the game. All quarterbacks have all four planets in their charts but unless they each have the Uranus/Mercury and Saturn/Mars combination in contact to each other they are not the exceptional quarterbacks. The exceptional quarterbacks and their timed charts are referenced after the analysis of the defensive players in football. Defensive Linemen – Moon Angular Houses, MC Cardinal Signs – Ascendant Fixed Signs; Mercury Angular Houses, Mars Cadent Houses; Jupiter Angular; Neptune Cadent Houses Defensive Linebacker – Ascendant Mutable – Fire Signs; Sun/Moon/Mercury – Cadent Houses; Venus - Succedent 155
Houses; Sun Signs – Fire Signs; Neptune – Cadent – Pluto Succedent Houses. Defensive Backs – Ascendant – Mutable Signs; Mars – Cadent Houses; Pluto Cadent Houses.
Exceptional Quarterbacks Roger Staubach -Mercury 24 Aquarius square Uranus 26 Taurus – 2-degree square; Saturn 21 conjunct Mars 13 Taurus – 8-degree conjunction
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Terry Bradshaw- Mercury 28 Virgo square Uranus 00 Cancer – out of sign 2-degree square; Saturn 27 Leo sextile Mars 29 Libra – 2-degree sextile
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Joe Montana - Mercury 00 Gemini sextile Uranus 00 Leo – 0degree sextile Saturn 27 Scorpio square Mars 4 Pisces – out of sign 7-degree square
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Troy Aikman- Mercury 19 Scorpio sextile Uranus 23 Virgo – 4-degree sextile Saturn 22 Pisces opposite Mars 23 Virgo – 1-degree opposition
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Brett Favre -Mercury 00 Libra conjunct Uranus 5 Libra – 5degree conjunction Saturn 6 Taurus trine Mars 12 Capricorn – 6-degree trine
Who is the next great rookie quarterback with these planets in place to join the above greats? Only time will reveal if he has the maturity, skills and toughness to join these ranks and get the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl Rings. Does anyone have his time of birth?
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Michael Vick - Mercury 25 Cancer trine Uranus 21 Scorpio – 4-degree trine Saturn 21 Virgo conjunct Mars 22 Virgo – 1-degree conjunction
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Tom Brady - Mercury 8 Virgo sextile Uranus 7 Scorpio1-degree sextile Saturn 19 Leo sextile Mars 11 Gemini-8 degree sextile
Other Winning Quarterbacks Otto Graham -Mercury 2 Sagittarius square Uranus5 Pisces 3 degree square Saturn 6 Libra conjunct Mars 18 Libra - too wide for conjunction 12 degrees but in same sign
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Johnny Unitas -Mercury 25 Aries conjunct Uranus 24 Aries 1 degree conjunction Saturn 16 Aquarius wide quincunx Mars 4 Virgo - 12 degrees too wide for quincunx
Joe Namath -Mercury 27 Taurus conjunct Uranus 4 Gemini out of sign 7 degree conjunction Saturn 15 Gemini sextile Mars 3 Aries - too wide 12 degree sextile but sextile by sign Bart Starr -Mercury 12 Capricorn square Uranus 23 Aries - to wide 11 degree square but square by sign
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Saturn 15 Aquarius conjunct Mars 14 Aquarius - l degree conjunction
Just For The Record - Other Big Name Quarterbacks in the Early Days Bobby Layne - Detroit, Pittsburgh QB - December 19, 1926, Santa Anna, Texas Mercury 06 Sagittarius - Uranus 25 Pisces - square by sign only Saturn 01 Sagittarius 1quincunx Mars 5 Taurus - 4 degree quincunx Sammy Baugh - Washington QB - March 17, 1914, Temple, Texas Mercury Rx 13 Pisces semisextile Uranus 10 Aquarius - 3 degree semisextile Saturn 12 Gemini semisextile Mars 11 Cancer - 1 degree semisextile
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Chapter Six American Football History History of Events that Led to the Birth of American Football
Football evolved as a sport from soccer to rugby to what we know as American football today over a period 139 years. High schools played soccer football before the colleges tried the game and many rules were changed along the way. The first American college soccer football game was November 6, 1868 between Rutgers and Princeton. The first team to make six goals won and Rutgers dominated at 6-4. Rutgers v. Princeton 1 American Collegiate Football Game Nov. 6, 1869 – around 2 pm EST - New Brunswick, NJ 40N30 74W27 st
Canada also contributed to the evolution of American football. McGill University in Montreal played rugby. They came to the United States and played two games at Cambridge, three games at Harvard and one at Montreal. The rugby game 165
of running with the ball and tackling began American football. Yale and Columbus also had soccer football teams. The “Boston Game" was played at Harvard and was more like rugby. Walter Camp of Yale was responsible for reorganizing soccer football into a game that eventually became American football: Under his leadership, 1) the first rules were adopted in 1876 and an intercollegiate association was formed, 2) each team was allowed 4 downs to move the ball ten yards or lose the ball, 3) each team could have 11 players on the field, 4) the quarterback became the principal ball handler, 5) it became the center’s responsibility to snap the ball to the quarterback, 6) there was undisputed possession of the ball unless that team gave up the ball during scrimmage, 7) the "block game" emerged where one team kept the ball the first half and the other team the second half (this rule did not survive), 8) In 1888, the wedge debuted where by the offensive players bunched together around the runner to protect him from being tackled below the knee, and 9) the forward pass was legalized. Players who were tackled below the knees went down to stay, often severely injured. The public outcry was so loud that the White House stepped in and ordered the association to clean up football. The Intercollegiate Athletic Association (IAA) was formed and later renamed the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). With the IAA, the colleges now had rules and regulations and a governing body to enforce them. Camp’s rules and regulations for a game of football was what the National Football League (NFL) adopted in 1920 when it was formed. Camp was never a paid coach in the league but he was an active advisor for the league coaches. 166
Athletic clubs were the next phase of developing in modern football. They encouraged the growth of many sports, and did much to birth what we know as professional football. The first US athletic club was the New York Athletic Club formed in 1868. Following the lead of New York, athletic clubs sprang up in many towns across the country. Football started off in Pennsylvania then spread to the Ohio area. William (Pudge) Heffelfinger was paid $500 on November 12, 1892 by the Allegheny Athletic Association (AAA) to play football for them against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. He thus became the first professional football player. The AAA won 40. November 12, 1892 The Allegheny Athletic Association (AAA) Pittsburgh Athletic Club (PAC) - Pittsburgh, PA The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was formed to stop other local sports teams from switching to professional as had happened in baseball in 1871. The AAU also wanted to keep the athletes from moving around and selling their services to both the college and athletic clubs. In 1889, six athletic clubs in the East decided to copy the parent AAU by forming their own union which they called the “ One . “ This group consisting of the Baltimore, Boston, New York Athletic Clubs, the New York Crescents and New York Manhattans, and the Orange New Jersey Athletic Club. For over a decade, they competed annually to be named "amateur title of America." With a league of amateur teams in place the next step was to begin talking about going professional. John Brallier was the first football player to turn pro. He accepted $10 and expenses to play for the Latrobe YMCA against the Jeanette Athletic Club. That first NFL game dates 167
back to August 31, 1895. Jeanette, Pennsylvania 0.
The final score was YMCA 12,
First Professional Football Game August 31, 1895 - Latrobe, Pennsylvania Night football games began on November 21, 1902, at Elmira, New York. It was a contest between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Kaneueole Athletic Club with Philly winning 39-0. The Allegheny Athletic Association team was the first professional team with a two game season and the Lathroe Athletic Association was the first team to play a longer full season. In 1898 the value of a touchdown was increased from four to five points. The oldest continuing team in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals, began in 1899 as Chris O'Brien formed a neighborhood team that played by the name of the Morgan Athletic Club. (See birth of Arizona Cardinals). A first attempt at forming a pro league was in 1902 and also called the National Football League. The first indoor football game was December 28, 1902 before a crowd of 3,000 at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. The forward pass was legalized in 1906 and the first pro game where it was allowed was held October 27, 1906. The value of a field goal dropped from four points to three in 1909 and the touchdown increased from five points to six points in 1912. In 1919, Earl (Curly) Lambeau and George Calhoun organized the Green Bay Packers though the team did not join the NFL until 1921. Lambeau's employer, the Indian Packing Company, provided $500 for equipment and allowed the team 168
to practice on the company field. The Packers went 10-1 their first year. (See Chapter 7 for birth of the Green Bay Packers.) In 1920 the modern NFL was born.
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Chapter Seven American Professional Football Association- NFL The birth of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) actually happened at an organizational meeting held at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio, August 20, 1920. Rising salaries, players jumping from one team to another, and college players still enrolled in college but also playing the pro game were the reasons for the meeting. The group that gathered at the organizational meeting thought that it would make more sense if all teams united to play by the same rules. Represented at the meeting were the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians and Dayton Triangles.
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American Professional Football Conference-NFL August 20, 1920 - 10:00 am CDT Canton, OH 40N47 56 081W22 43
The first NFL organizational chart of August 20 describes a proud, confident group (Sun conjunct Jupiter in Leo). The group also shows a strong, intense emotional organization (Moon conjunct Mars in Scorpio) who (Venus conjunct Saturn in Virgo) is conservative with money, values and organizational standards. The Mercury conjunct Neptune in Leo indicates that there could be strong intuitive thinking quarterbacks within the organization and suggests problems along the way in negotiating contracts with the players. 171
The second organizational meeting was held in Canton, on September 17, 1920. The participating teams were from four states - Akron, Canton, Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio; the Hammond Pros and Muncie Flyers from Indiana; the Rochester Jeffersons from New York; and the Rock Island Independents, Decatur Staleys, and Racine Cardinals from Illinois. A membership fee of $100 per team was charged but no team ever paid it. Two teams still in operation today can count September 17, 1920, as the date they received their NFL franchises, the Racine Cardinals now the Arizona Cardinals and the Decatur Staleys now the Chicago Bears. 23, 24
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NFL Franchise Charts
Chicago Cardinals - Arizona Cardinals Decatur Staleys – Chicago Staleys - Chicago Bears September 17, 1920 - 10:00 am CDT Canton, Ohio 40N49 081W23 00
The second NFL organizational meeting on September 17, 1920, produced the franchise chart for the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears. We now have Saturn conjunct Sun in Virgo indicating teams tending to be conservative and analytical in their approach. The Moon in Scorpio sextile the Saturn/Sun conjunction adds to the mystery and secretiveness 173
of these teams as they intensify their journey through history in the NFL. Uranus opposed Jupiter demonstrates the strong defenses emphasized in these two teams, while Pluto quincunx Mars indicates both teams have to learn to adjust their power in the offensive backfield to accomplish championships within the NFL. David Jones sold the Chicago Cardinals to Charles W. Bidwell. September 26, 1920, marked the first game featuring an APFA team. The Independents defeated the St. Paul Ideals 480 at Rock Island Douglas Park. On April 30, 1921, the league reorganized at Akron, Ohio. A league constitution and by-laws were drawn up, teams were given territorial rights, players were restricted as to where they could play, membership criteria was developed for the franchises, and rules were drawn up so there could be a clear champion at the end of the season. On August 27, 1921, the Green Bay Packers were formed when the APFA awarded a franchise to John Clair of the Acme Packing Company.
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Green Bay Packers August 27, 1921 - 10:00 am CDT Akron, Ohio 41N04 53 081W31 09
Green Bay had to start over about three times before they became a solid franchise. Neptune conjunct Mars in Leo may have kept depleting their energy but their pride remained in tact. Saturn in Virgo sextile Venus in Cancer has given them the opportunity to keep their goals, values and standard in place. The Gemini Moon square Jupiter/Saturn in Virgo has kept them flexible in taking responsibility and adjusting to team changes. Sun conjunct Mercury in Virgo opposed Uranus in Pisces has added strength to their defense as well as kept erratic, exciting quarterbacks at the helm.
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A. E. Staley turned The Decatur Staleys over to George Halas, Staleys’ player-coach, who moved the team to Cubs Park in Chicago. Halas was paid $5,000 to keep the name Staleys for one more year. Halas won the first APFA championship with a 9-1-1 record. Halas became the sole owner and head coach of the Chicago Bears when he bought out Sternaman. On January 28, 1922, Clair withdrew the Green Bay franchise from membership in the APFA due to having players who still had college eligibility on his team. Curly Lambeau promised to follow the league rules and used $50 of his own money to buy back the franchise. Lambeau went broke due to bad weather and low attendance, but the local merchants believed in the team and arranged a $2,500 loan for the club. A public non-profit corporation was set up to operate the team and Lambeau renamed as head coach and manager. The American Professional Football Association changed its name on June 24, 1922, to the National Football League. The Major League Baseball had been established for some time with a National League and American League. The National Football League created this same standard of name for pro-football. Five new franchises were added to the NFL in 1925 but only Tim Mara and Billy Gibson’s New York Giants remain today. The franchise was awarded on August 1, 1925.
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New York Giants August 1, 1925 - 10:00 am EDT New York, NY 40N45 073W57
The New York Giants are another proud Leo group. Their Sagittarius Moon always keeps them optimistic and Pluto in Cancer opposed Jupiter in Capricorn reminds them to expand their power and intensity gradually so not to burn out striving to reach their team goals. Neptune conjunct Mars in Leo indicates an uneven and often inadequate energy level which can cause them to tire out before the game is over. Uranus in Pisces quincunx the Neptune/Mars says their defense can tire 177
as well. But, Saturn square the Sun gives the discipline that can pull the team together and help them win championships. Late in the 1925 season, after the University of Illinois collegiate season ended in November, Harold (Red) Grange signed a contract to play with the Chicago Bears. On Thanksgiving Day, a crowd of 36,000 watched Grange and the Bears play the Chicago Cardinals to a scoreless tie at Wrigley Field. At the beginning of December, the Bears played eight games in 12 days in St. Louis, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Chicago. A crowd of 73,000 showed up to watch the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. The Bears then played nine more games in the South and West including before a crowd of 75,000 watching the Bears play the Los Angeles Tigers in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. These two game tours gave the NFL some national recognition and helped stabilize the league. In 1926, C.C. Pyle, Red Grange’s manager told the Bears that Grange would not play unless they paid him a five figure salary plus one-third ownership of the team. The Bears refused. Pyle leased Yankee Stadium in New York City at the time and asked the league for an NFL franchise. After he was refused the franchise he started the first American Football League which folded at the end of its first season. That same year Halas saw that a rule was passed that prohibited any team signing a college player who had not graduated. In Cleveland, Ohio, April 23, 1927, a special meeting was held to secure the NFL’s future. The financially weaker teams w e r e e l i m i n a t e d an d t h e qu al i t y p l a y e r s w e r e distributedamong the more successful teams. The NFL thus dropped to 12 teams.
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· November 3, 1929: the first night game is held between the Providence Steam Rollers and the Chicago Cardinals. · July 27, 1929: Chris O’Brien sells Chicago Cardinals to David Jones. · July 28, 1930: The NFL adds a fourth official, the field judge. · June 12, 1930: The Portsmouth, Ohio Spartans enter the NFL.
Portsmouth Spartans - Detroit Lions June 12, 1930 - 10:00 am EST Portsmouth, Ohio 38N44 83W00
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The Portsmouth Spartans, the current Detroit Lions, are confident, fast and flexible as shown by Sun conjunct Jupiter in Gemini. They are somewhat stubborn with Mercury in Taurus. They may be over-achievers with Moon conjunct Saturn in Capricorn trine Mars in Taurus. They have to pace themselves to reach their goals. Moon/Mars can indicate frustration and anger within the team which needs to be focused into intense energy expenditures on the field against their opponents rather than among themselves. Neptune in Virgo completes a grand trine with Mars/Moon/Saturn. Neptune can be deceptive and confuse issues on the field. The Lions need strong leadership to keep the team on track. · The NFL decreased to 10 teams in 1931. The Boston Braves emerged on July 9, 1932. George Preston Marshall, Vincent Bendix, Jay O'Brien, and M. Dorland Doyle were awarded the franchise. The new team lost money and by the end of the season, Marshall was the sole owner of the team.
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Boston Braves - Washington Redskins July 9, 1932 - 10:00 am EDT Boston, MA 42N22 071W04
The Boston Braves, today’s Washington Redskins, began their franchise on July 9, 1932, with a Cancer Sun and Virgo Moon. They are an emotionally intense organization with Sun applying to conjunction of Pluto and will analyze and pay attention to the details of the games. Their quarterbacks will demand center stage with Mercury in Leo and be able to scramble with Mars in Gemini. Their strong defensive team is indicated by Jupiter in Leo trine Uranus in Aries.
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The NFL membership dropped to eight teams in 1932, but several events happened that actually advanced the game of football. The Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans finished the season in a tie for first place. The NFL league office arranged for a playoff game and official statistics were kept for the first time. On December 18, 1932, the Bears won 9-0 at the indoor Chicago Stadium. The Chicago Stadium was nice because of protection against the bitter cold and heavy snow, but only had an 80-yard field so adjustments were made to move the hashmarks or inbound lines in 10 yards from the walls. The sidelines were against the wall. The goal posts were also moved in from the end lines. In 1933, the NFL made a number of significant changes to the rules that previously had followed the college game. The game of pro football began to follow the needs and style of play the pros preferred. The changes took effect in the 1932 playoff game with the inbound lines or hashmarks moved 10 yards inward and goal posts on the goal lines becoming permanent changes. The forward pass was legalized to allow forward tosses from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. All these changes became rules on February 25, 1933. On July 8, 1933, Marshall and Halas proposed that the NFL be divided into two divisions, with the winner of each division meeting in an annual championship game. This date also marked the birth of three new franchises: The Pittsburgh Pirates of Art Rooney, the Philadelphia Eagles of Bert Bell and Lad Wray and the Cincinnati Reds who did not survive to the modern league. Marshall changed the name of his Boston Braves to the Redskins.
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Pittsburgh Pirates - Pittsburgh Steelers July 8, 1933 - 10:00 am EDT Pittsburgh, PA 40N26 080W01
The Pittsburgh Pirates, now the Pittsburgh Steelers, franchise began July 8, 1933, with Sun in Cancer quincunx Saturn in Aquarius indicating constant adjustments and reorganization of the responsibilities within the organization. Their Moon in Aquarius trine Mars in Libra fields an aloof team able to detach itself from the emotional anger usually involved with Moon/Mars and instead keep the team fired up and on track no matter what adjustments they have to withstand. 183
On September 27, 1924, the Frankford Yellow Jackets were awarded a franchise as a section of Philadelphia. On July 9, 1933, the Frankford Yellow Jackets’ franchise was declared forfeit and was awarded to Bert Bell and Lud Wray of Philadelphia. Perhaps we should look at the original franchise chart of the Yellow Jackets to get some insight into the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles July 9, 1933 - 10:00 am EDT Philadelphia, PA 39N57 975W10
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The Philadelphia Eagles began their franchise July 9, 1933, just one day after the Pittsburgh Pirates joined the league. The Eagles have Saturn conjunct Moon in Aquarius quincunx their Cancer Sun. The players’ egos and emotions constantly have to adjust to coaching demands and organizational changes. Saturn slows down the process of reacting quickly and can show the frustration generated by making constant adjustments within the organization. · December 17, 1933: the first preseason scheduled NFL Championship Game is played between the Western Division and the Eastern Division champions. The New York Giants defeated the Chicago Bears 23-21 at Wrigley Field, Chicago. · June 30, 1934: G.A. (Dick) Richard purchases the Portsmouth Spartans and moves them to Detroit, renaming them the Lions. · August 31, 1934: first College All-Star Game is played with the All-Stars facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Chicago. Professional football gains new prestige because of this game which ends in a scoreless tie before a crowd of 79,432. · Thanksgiving Day, 1934: the first NFL game is broadcast nationally on NBC radio between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. · December 10, 1934: the player waiver rule is adopted. This rule allows a team to drop a player from their roster and allow another team in the league to acquire that player on their team. · May 19, 1935: The NFL adopts Bert Bell’s proposal for an annual college player draft to begin in 1936. The inbound line or hashmarks are moved nearer the center of the field, 15 yards from the sidelines. 1936 was the first year there were no franchise changes since the formation of the NFL and also the first year where all teams played the same number of games. February 8, 1936 185
marked the first college draft. The Philadelphia Eagles made Jay Berwanger first player selected. He was a halfback and Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Chicago. The Eagles traded his rights to the Chicago Bears but he never played pro football. The first player to sign and play was the number two pick, Riley Smith of Alabama who was selected by the Boston Braves. · A second rival league was formed again calling itself the American Football League. The Boston Shamrocks were its champion. · February 12, 1937: Homer Marshman was granted an NFL franchise for the Cleveland Rams. · February 13, 1937: Marshall moved his Boston Redskins to Washington D.C. The two year old AFL folded.
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Cleveland Rams - Los Angeles Rams - St. Louis Rams February 12, 1937 - 10:00 am EST Cleveland, OH 41N30 081W42
Three NFL teams have been born in Cleveland, the earliest being the Cleveland Rams who became the Los Angeles Rams and finally the St. Louis Rams. The Rams franchise began February 12, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio. Their Sun in Aquarius is quincunx Pluto in Cancer and Neptune in Virgo which forms a Yod. Rams’ pride and egos constantly have to make adjustments to stay aligned with the directions and goals of the franchise. Their Moon in Pisces trines Mars in 187
Scorpio. They have to work at adjusting their power and egos (Sun/Pluto/Neptune). Emotionally, the Moon trine Mars keeps them at the right place at the right time but their focus can get confused with Neptune in Virgo quincunx Sun in Aquarius. They have planets in every sign except Gemini, Leo and Libra. Saturn in Pisces opposes Neptune in Virgo which helps to discipline the confusion within the organization but the Yod of Sun/Pluto/Neptune adds to the disruption of power struggles in achieving dreams of the organization. In 1938 Halas Hugh (Shorty) Ray became a technical advisor on rules and officiating to the NFL. A 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer was put in place. The Pro Bowl game between the NFL champion and a team of all-stars was established in 1939. The New York Giants defeated the Pro All-Stars 13-10 in the first Pro Bowl at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles (not the same Wrigley in Chicago, IL), January 13. Joe F. Carr, who had been the NFL president since 1921, died in Columbus, Ohio May 20, 1939, and was replaced by Carl L. Storck as acting president. 1939 also marked the first year an NFL game was televised when NBC broadcast the Brooklyn Dodgers-Philadelphia Eagles game at Ebbots Field. · 1940: Art Rooney sells the Pittsburgh franchise to Alexis Thompson then buys part interest in the Philadelphia Eagles. · 1941: Elmer Layden is named the first NFL commissioner and the NFL headquarters are moved to Chicago. Bell and Rooney traded the Eagles to Thompson for the Pirates and renamed their new team the Steelers. Homer Marshman sold the Rams to Daniel F. Reeves and Frey Levy, Jr. The league by-laws were revised to provide for playoffs in case of ties between division teams and sudden death overtimes in case a playoff game was tied. 188
· 1942: 638 players depart for service in World War II depleting the NFL rosters. Twenty-one of those men died in action; the Cleveland Rams are allowed to suspend operations for one season; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are granted permission to merge for one season and dissolve the last day of the season. · 1944: the Cardinals and Steelers are given permission to merge for one year and dissolve the last day of the season; a new All-American Football Conference (AAFC) was formed · June 4, 1944: San Francisco 49ers are awarded a franchise in the AAFC · September 3, 1944: The Cleveland Browns are awarded a franchise in the AAFC · 1944: the All American Football Conference begins play with eight teams and the Cleveland Browns coached by Paul Brown won four consecutive AAFC championships.
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Cleveland Browns September 3, 1944 - 10:00 am CWT Chicago, IL 41N52 087W37
The Cleveland Browns began their franchise September 3, 1944, in the All-American Football Conference and won four consecutive AAFC championships before entering the NFL. Jupiter in Virgo conjunct the Sun keeps the Browns confident. Jupiter/Sun/Mercury squares Uranus, driving the team to be unusual, quick, erratic and able to handle the ups and downs of the organization. Their discipline comes from Saturn square Mars. Dedicated hard work paid off in the old Browns and even though Art Modell moved the physical body of the 190
Browns team to Baltimore, the Browns’ fans would not let the history of the ‘dawg pound’ die. The "refusal to quit" as Carmen A. Policy stated, caused the Cleveland fans to win against the NFL. The June 12, 1996, agreement between the city of Cleveland and the NFL guaranteed the Browns franchise would return to Cleveland in a new state-of- the-art stadium in 1999. The agreement held the following key points: 1) The Cleveland Browns franchise will remain in Cleveland and will resume play in the 1999 season. 2) The tradition and records, including the Browns' name, trademarks, colors, history, playing records, trophies, and memorabilia, will remain in Cleveland as property of the Cleveland Browns franchise. 3) The new stadium will be owned by the city of Cleveland and will have a 30-year lease with the Browns. A provision in the lease stipulates the Browns will be responsible for operating the stadium. {June 12, 1996, the City of Cleveland and the NFL announce the terms of a historic public-private partnership that continues the Browns franchise in Cleveland and guarantees a new state-of-the art stadium in Cleveland in 1999}. May 12, 1997, officials officially broke ground for the new home of the Browns. · March 23, 1998, at a league meeting in Orlando, NFL owners agree that the Cleveland Browns will be an expansion team in 1999, generating a new franchise date. · September 8, 1998, is when NFL awards the Cleveland Browns to Alfred Lerner and Carmen Policy. · October 23, 1998, the NFL formally transfers ownership of the Cleveland Browns to Alfred Lerner and Carmen Policy. · On December 17, 1998, the first players came aboard as 191
Cleveland Browns. · January 21, 1999, Chris Palmer named head coach. · February 9, 1999, Cleveland Browns select 37 players in the expansion draft. · April 17-18, 1999, Cleveland Browns select 11 players over the two-day NFL draft including University of Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch. The 1999 season fielded a new expansion team but the old franchise was still in place. The records stop at the end of the 1995 season and begin again in 1999. The rebirth of the Cleveland Browns shows a new era beginning.
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Cleveland Browns March 23, 1998 - 10:00 am EST Orlando, FL 38N32 17 081W22 46
How historic astrologically can a chart be? The original Cleveland Browns Sun is 10 Virgo. The new chart has the North Node at 10 Virgo connecting the future to the Sun sign from the past Browns. The North Node is inconjunct Uranus, Venus and Mars forming a Yod. Flexibility and adaptability will be the key to the new expansion team’s future. Constant adjustments behind-the-scenes can be confusing with Moon/Jupiter conjunct but opportunities are the key to success with Moon/Neptune sextile Sun. Uranus sextile Mars 193
produces a strong defense and powerful running backs. Venus sextile Mercury/Saturn adds opportunities for serious hard work by the brains, the coaches and quarterbacks, to produce a proud successful team. Pluto sextile Uranus/Venus and trine Mars brings driving power, optimism and competitiveness into the new expansion team. We see their first year performance as somewhat erratic and in a fog as the Moon/Neptune is sextile the Sun by solar arc. But watch out for a powerful, relentless defense in 2001 as Pluto sextiles Uranus exactly. Watch for championship records in year three which I have just mentioned, year five (2003) as solar arc Pluto trines Mars and year 12 as solar arc Pluto trines Mercury/Saturn from the rebirth of this franchise in 1998.
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San Francisco 49ers June 4, 1944 - 10:00 am CWT St. Louis, MO 38N37 090W12
The San Francisco 49ers began their franchise June 4, 1944 at the same All-American Football Conference. A Gemini Sun describes the versatility and championship running backs the 49ers have fielded over the years, not to mention their very own Gemini quarterback, Joe Montana. Sun conjunct Uranus in Gemini shows a strong defense and front office willing to do things differently in order to succeed. A strong fixed T-square of Moon opposite Mercury square Jupiter has kept the 49ers persistent and determined to stay 195
in the playoffs for many years. Venus sextile Mars at 7 has given the franchise the opportunity to field many great running backs. On December 9, 1949, Bert Bell now NFL commissioner announced a merger agreement in which three franchises from the AAFC, Cleveland, San Francisco and Baltimore, would join the NFL. January 19, 1952, Ted Collins resold the New York Yanks franchise to the NFL. A new franchise was awarded to a group in Dallas when they purchased the Yanks’ assets, January 24. The new Texans went 1-11 and by midseason its owners returned the franchise to the league. For the last five games, the commissioners’ office operated the Texans as a road team, using Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a home base. At the end of the season the franchise was cancelled. This marks the last time an NFL team failed. On January 23, 1953, a Baltimore group headed by Carroll Rosenbloom was granted a franchise and awarded the holdings of the Dallas organization. The team was renamed the Baltimore Colts.
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Baltimore Colts - Indianapolis Colts January 23, 1953 - 10:00 am CST Dallas, Texas 32N47 096W49
The Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts’ Sun square Mars gives them the energy to be great even in their down years. Uranus in Cancer opposite Mercury has given the franchise brilliant quarterbacks who are able to play with compassion and lead the team. Think of Johnny Unitas in the old days and now Payton Manning. Saturn square Mercury indicates a quarterback much older than his years in wisdom. With Pluto trine Venus Venus players may be over-optimistic about the super power of their team but Pluto keeps their passion and competitiveness alive long after the end of a season. Their 197
Sagittarius Moon helps them stay positive and upbeat even when experiencing loss in the down years. The Canadian Football League began a series of raids of the NFL team in 1954. The first sudden-death overtime rule was used in 1955 and in 1956 the NFL Players Association was formed. In 1959 Lamar Hunt of Dallas announced his intentions to form a second pro football league, later called the American Football League (AFL). On October 11, 1959, NFL Commissioner Bert Bell died after a heart attack suffered at Franklin Field, Philadelphia during the last two minutes of a game between the Eagles and the Steelers. On October 14th Austin Gunsel was named president in the office of the commissioner. On January 16, 1960, Pete Rozelle was elected NFL Commissioner. Rozelle moved the league to New York. Minneapolis was originally part of the new American League teams. Minneapolis withdrew from the AFL on January 27 and the Vikings’ ownership were given an NFL franchise as of January 28, 1960, to allow them to begin play in the 1961 season. The Dallas Cowboys received an NFL franchise the same day and began play in the 1960 season. 25, 26
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Minnesota Vikings - Dallas Cowboys January 28, 1960 - 10:00 am EST Miami, FL 25N46 26 080W11 38
It's hard to believe that the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys share the same birth data. Sun/Mercury/Moon in Aquarius links these franchises to the public more so than other teams. Both have been to the Super Bowls, but Dallas is the only one with Superbowl victories. Saturn/Mars conjunct in Capricorn adds to the discipline of the running backs on both teams and their ability under pressure to pull out the win. Capricorn Venus trine Virgo Pluto gives the franchise money opportunities to get the right 199
players in the draft. Neptune in Scorpio square Mercury in Aquarius produces intuitive and talented quarterbacks but confusion can set in when the front office makes changes too quickly. Also, for Dallas players arrests for drug abuse have always peppered the news. On March 13, 1960, the NFL owners voted to move the Chicago Cardinals to St. Louis, MO. In 1963, NFL Properties, Inc. was founded to serve as the licensing arm of the NFL. The Pro Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, Ohio on September 7, 1963. Atlanta was awarded an NFL franchise June 30, 1965.
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Atlanta Falcons June 30, 1965 - 10:00 am EST Atlanta, GA 33N45 084W23
The Atlanta Falcons waited to field their first Super Bowl team until January 1999. Their Cancer Sun square Mars in Libra keeps their energy competitive but Mercury/Moon/Venus in Cancer has also kept them emotionally-stirred and cranky while they waited for a winning team to arrive on the field. Saturn in Pisces square Jupiter in Gemini forced them to expand conservatively. Neptune in Scorpio may have kept dissolving the structure 201
they built year after year and created disappointments on the team. Uranus/Pluto conjunct in Virgo promises a strong defense from year to year. The conflict between the leagues ceased when the AFL/NFL merger took place June 8, 1966. The two leagues combined to form an expansion league with an initial 24 teams to be increased to 26 in 1968 and 28 in 1970 or soon thereafter. The league agreed to play an annual AFL/NFL World Championship Game beginning in January 1967. On November 1, 1966, New Orleans was awarded an NFL franchise allowing them to begin play in the 1967 season.27
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New Orleans Saints November 1, 1966 - 10:00 am CST New Orleans, LA 29N58 090W04
The New Orleans Saints have Venus/Sun conjunct in Scorpio sextile Jupiter in Leo which makes for a strong, intense, competitive, and optimistic franchise. Their flexible T-square of Saturn in Pisces opposite Pluto and Uranus in Virgo square Moon in Gemini helps both their offense and defense to adjust during the games at hand. The Gemini Moon
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square Mars in Virgo can add energy during a game or lead to frustration and anger about the result of a game. Monday Night Football began in 1970. ABC acquired the rights to televise 13 NFL regular-season Monday night games for 1970, 1971 and 1972. The merged 26-team league adopted rules putting names on the back of the players’ jerseys and making the point after the touchdown worth only one point. On April 24, 1975 , Tampa Bay was awarded a franchise with permission to begin operation in 1976.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers April 24, 1974 - 10:00 am EDT Tampa, FL 27N57 082W27
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a very stubborn Taurus Sun, and their quick mental strategy with Mercury in Aries can run into problems with a tendency to jump in before thinking about the effects of their actions and being too stubborn to make changes before it's too late. Moon in Gemini trines Pluto in Libra empowering them to be a strong emotional team, but Saturn in Cancer square Pluto keeps them constantly reorganizing their game plan. Mercury in Aries opposite Uranus in Libra should give the franchise brilliant quarterbacks provided they can read the defenses. Saturn conjunct Mars can build a team able to win under pressure 205
with the right chemistry in a team playing together as a team rather than a collection of super stars. On October 26, 1993, Carolina was awarded an NFL franchise.
Carolina Panthers October 26, 1993 - 8:15 pm CDT Chicago, IL 41N52 087W52
The Carolina Panthers strong competitive Scorpio Sun is semi-sextile the North Node in Sagittarius which helps them stick to their game plan and head in the correct direction. Venus in Libra square Neptune/Uranus in Capricorn can 206
produce sudden ups-and-downs and delusions as they try to build a strong franchise. Mars/Mercury/Pluto conjunct in Scorpio keeps the competitiveness alive, assures a passion to win and a quick, mentally sharp quarterback at the helm. The Mars/Mercury/Pluto sextile Neptune/Uranus gives the franchise the opportunity to build strong defenses. The only problem they have to worry about is a sensitive Pisces Moon that has to make constant emotional adjustments as it quintiles Jupiter in Libra.
Football: Feline Franchises – Welcome Team 29 28 The two new NFL franchises were supposed to be awarded on October 26, 1993; however, at approximately 8:15 pm CDT in Rosemont, Illinois, the NFL owners unanimously voted to award the Carolina Panther franchise to a group from Charlotte and tabled the decision on the other franchise for another month. Big contracts paved the way for the award of the franchise. Charlotte, now a city with a second major sports team – along with the National Basketball Associations’ (“NBA”) Charlotte Hornets – spent six years and $6-million to get to this point. The Charlotte franchise already had a general manager, former Seahawk General Manager Mike McCormack, who had been in that position for three years. Charlotte also had a place to play their first season – approximately 130 miles south of Charlotte at the 71,743-seat Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. Furthermore, the same week the franchise was awarded, the first shovel was put into the ground for a permanent facility – a 72,300-seat stadium that would be ready for the 1996 season; and, plans were put into place immediately to hire a coach in January 1995 as well as hire scouts to look at 207
the juniors in college and free agents available in 1995. The $160-million stadium was financed with private funds. All but 7,200 seats were sold in the form of permanent seat licenses that cost between $2,400 and $5,400 just for the right to buy season tickets which, in addition, will cost between $190 to $600 each. Most fans will not be able to afford to go to the games. If you could afford to buy the licenses and season tickets you would have the seats for a lifetime and could pass them on to your heirs for years to come. Now, if you were one of those couples with 50-yard line seats the Panthers’ first year, the tickets would cost you a mere $12,000. The Los Angeles Times had an article on the issue titled The Average Fan is Disenfranchised and stated “this isn’t a football franchise, it’s a country club.” When other coaches in the League were asked if this system would work in their town, the coaches said that they would simply be run out of town. Charlotte’s answer to the issue was that this was the only way to build the stadium and not burden everyone with the other alternative, taxes.
NFC Stadium Coordinates & Time Zones ARIZONA CARDINALS
ATLANTA FALCONS
Sun Devil Stadium 33N25'12"/ 111W55'48"/+7 MST Tempe, AZ
Georgia Dome 33W45'36"/84W24'00"/+5 EST Atlanta, GA (opened 1992)
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CAROLINA PANTHERS
CHICAGO BEARS
Ericsson Stadium 35N13'12" / 80W51'00/ +5 EST Charlotte, NC (opened 1996)
Memorial Stadium 41N51'36" / 87W37'12" /6 CST Champaign, IL (opened 1923)
DALLAS COWBOYS
DETROIT LIONS
(Texas Stadium) 32N50'24"/ 96W54'36"/ +6 CST Irving, TX (opened 1971)
(Ford Field) 42N39'00"/ 83W15'36"/+5 EST Detroit, MI (opened 2002)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
(Lambeau Field) 44N30'00" / 88W03'36"/+6 CST Green Bay, WIS (opened 1957)
(Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome) 44N58'12"/ 93W15'36"/+6 CST Minneapolis, MN (opened 1982)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NEW YORK GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Giants Stadium Louisiana Superdome 29N57'00"/ 90W04'48"/ +6 CST 40N48'36"/ 74W04'48" /+5 EST New Orleans, LA (opened 1975) East Rutherford, NJ(opened 1976)
Veterans Stadium 39N54'00"/ 75W10'12" / +5EST Philadelphia, PA (opened 1971)
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Edward Jones Dome 38N37'48"/ 90W11'24" +6 CST St. Louis, MO (opened 1995)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
3COM Park 37N42'36"/122W22'48"/+8PST San Francisco, CA (opened 1958 )
Seahawks Stadium 47N35'24"/122W19'48"/+8 PST Seattle, WA (opened 2002)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Raymond James Stadium 27N58'48"/ 82W30'36"/+5 EST Tampa, FL (opened 1998)
Fed Ex Field 38N54'36" / 76W52'12" / +5 EST Landover, MD (opened 1997)
data compiled by B.J. Towers and C. Michael Smith Note: All time zones are Standard
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Chapter Eight American Football Conference Birth of AFL Franchises The birth of the American Football League in 1959 was the result of Lamar Hunt being denied a franchise in Dallas from the National Football League. After being turned down several times in his efforts to obtain a franchise, he decided the only way he was going to own a franchise was to start a new league. He originally tried to buy the Chicago Cardinals, the orphan team in Chicago no one wanted. Chicago football belonged to George Halas, the Chicago Bears. Hunt wanted to purchase the team and move them to Dallas. The fact that the All-American Football Conference, founded in 1946 had a team in Dallas in 1952 that had not done well didn't matter to him. Halas was head of the National Football League's expansion committee which consisted of 12 teams at the time and whatever he said became law. Halas advised Hunt that the league was against any franchise moving to Dallas. At the time Lamar Hunt was trying to buy an NFL franchise he was only twenty-six years old. He had sat on the bench with the varsity football team at Southern Methodist University and had graduated from SMU three years earlier but no one knew him.
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The first AFL meeting was held August 14, 1959, in Chicago and consisted of Hunt representing Dallas; Bob Howsam, Denver; K. S. (Bud) Adams, Houston; Barron Hilton, Los Angeles; Max Winter and Bill Boyer, Minneapolis; and Harry Wismer, New York City. They awarded the franchises and planned to begin play in 1960. They named the new league on August 22, 1959, the American Football League. On October 28, Buffalo owned by Ralph Wilson became the seventh franchise. Hunt was named president of the AFL January 26, 1960. Minneapolis withdrew from the AFL, January 27. Oakland became the eighth AFL franchise January 30, 1960. The AFL adopted the two-point option on points after a touchdown. The NFL and AFL agreed to a no-tampering verbal pact, relative to players' contracts on February 9. The AFL signed a five-year television contract with ABC June 9. The first AFL Championship Game was January 1, 1961 between the Houston Oilers and the Los Angeles Chargers, with the Oilers prevailing 24-16. War and lawsuits were almost declared by the American Football League when the National Football League announced that they had awarded Dallas an NFL franchise. Only a year earlier Hunt had been told by then Commissioner Bell that he was against NFL expansion until the league reached such balance that each team could win at least four games and that NFL expansion was likely a long way off. 29
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Dallas Texans/ Kansas City Chiefs Denver Broncos Houston Oilers/ Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans Los Angeles Chargers/San Diego Chargers Minneapolis - Withdrew New York Titans/New York Jets August 14, 1959, 10:00 AM CDT, Chicago, IL 41N52 00 087W37 00
The new league started off with high hopes, dreams and ideas about a new competitive league and one built to last with Moon at 29 Sagittarius. Showtime was integral to their marketing strategy with the birth of the league Sun at 21 Leo. Uranus at 16 Leo conjunct the Sun has made the 213
league somewhat erratic but it has kept the excitement of a faster, more thrilling, high-scoring game alive. Venus/Mars at 15 Virgo indicates a hard-working group of guys paying attention to both the detail and fun of football. Jupiter at 23 Scorpio square the Sun at 21 Leo has driven the league to expand and play at the same level as their competitors. Saturn at 00 Capricorn grounded a foundation organized and structured for success. Mercury at 7 Leo square Neptune at 4 Scorpio has helped the young quarterbacks of the league stay focused.
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Buffalo Bills October 28, 1959, 10:00 AM EDT, Buffalo, NY, 42N53 00 087W53 00
The Buffalo Bills began their franchise October 28, 1959. Sun conjunct Mars at 4 Scorpio semi-sextile Jupiter at 4 Sagittarius makes them very intense, confident, and competitive even in their down years. Sun sextile Saturn at 2 Capricorn disciplines them to work hard. Saturn trine Pluto at 5 Virgo helps them reorganize yearly and make adjustments in a very structured and detailed way. 215
Moon/Venus conjunct in Virgo makes the Bills very critical of themselves but also chronic complainers. Mercury at 27 Scorpio fields a very secretive yet in-depth, thinking quarterback who reads defenses as though he wrote the book on them with Uranus at 20 Leo square Mercury.
Boston Patriots/New England Patriots November 16, 1959, 10:00 AM EST, Boston, MA, 42N22 00 071W04 00
The New England Patriots began their franchise November 16, 1959. Their 23 Scorpio Sun makes them a formidable opponent to every team that plays them anytime. They are intense and persistent and with the Sun 216
square Uranus at 21 Leo, they always field a strong defense. The Moon at 06 Gemini quincunx Neptune in Scorpio and opposed to Jupiter and Mercury in Sagittarius can make them emotionally insecure (Neptune) but their confident quarterback (Jupiter/Mercury) can be exciting to watch. Mercury at 9 Sagittarius conjunct Jupiter keeps their quarterbacks optimistic and loving the game. Watch the team excel during the three weeks each year when Mercury goes Retrograde. Mars at 17 Scorpio square Uranus at 21 Leo gives them strong running backs and a strong defense each year. Saturn at 4 Capricorn sextile Neptune helps them add structure and form to their vision of a winning franchise.
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Oakland Raiders/Los Angeles Raiders/Oakland Raiders January 30, 1960, 10:00 AM PST, Oakland, CA, 39N47 00 122W16 00
The Oakland Raiders began their franchise January 30, 1960. Sun at 9 Aquarius conjunct Mercury at 12 Aquarius gives them a team destined to reach the mass audiences. Mercury square Neptune at 9 Scorpio helps their quarterbacks stay focused. The Moon at 12 Pisces sextile Saturn/Mars at 12 Capricorn stabilizes them emotionally and helps them win under pressure. Venus at 4 Capricorn trine Pluto at 5 Virgo has given them the opportunity to be at the right place at the right time where money is 218
concerned even when moving from Oakland to Los Angeles and back to Oakland.
Miami Dolphins August 16, 1965, 10:00 AM EDT, Miami, FL, 25N47 00 080W1100
The Miami Dolphins began their franchise August 16, 1965. A proud Leo Sun squares Mars at 27 Libra giving them the energy to stay strong and competitive. Their Moon at 10 Aries makes them aggressive and gives them a desire to be number one every year. Saturn at 15 Pisces trines Neptune and gives them the ability to bring structure to their dreams. A mutable T-square with Uranus at 13 Virgo opposing Saturn square Neptune helps their defense stay organized and almost psychic in being flexible while 219
adjusting to the teams they are playing. Jupiter at 25 Gemini square Venus at 26 Virgo can make them overconfident at times but keeps the love of the game and their self-worth intact. 30
Cincinnati Bengals September 27, 1967, 10:00 AM EDT, Cincinnati, OH 39N06 00 084W3100
The Cincinnati Bengals began their franchise September 28, 1967. A cardinal T-square with Sun at 3 Libra opposite Saturn at 9 Aries square Moon at 11 Cancer gives them the bounce back and stick-to-itiveness when the going gets tough. Moon quincunx Mars at 11 Sagittarius can show the emotional frustrations as the team adjusts to 220
front office changes. Jupiter/Venus conjunct in Leo adds to team self-confidence. Pluto/Uranus conjunct in Virgo provides strong defensive players who pay attention to the details at hand. Pluto/Uranus sextile Neptune can be somewhat unnerving as the front office reorganizes the defense and offense each year. Saturn trine Mars at 11 Sagittarius helps their running backs be at the right place at the right time. Mercury at 26 Libra sextiles Jupiter/Venus in Leo giving their quarterback opportunities to expand the game and turn the franchise into a winning organization.31
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Seattle Seahawks June 4, 1974, 10:00 am PDT, Seattle, WA, 47N37 00 122W00 00
The Seattle Seahawks began their franchise June 4, 1974. A mutable t-square with Sun at 13 Gemini opposite Moon at 13 Sagittarius square Jupiter at 16 Pisces makes the team quick to respond emotionally to the needs of the franchise. Saturn at 5 Cancer conjunct Mercury at 7 Cancer produces a quarterback for the team who is mature or older than his years. Saturn/Mercury square Pluto at 4 Libra helps in the reorganizational side of the franchise when working out contracts with its players even though 222
there may be delays or hold outs with Saturn involved. Uranus at 23 Libra square Mars at 27 Cancer helps the defense and running backs stay strong and powerful.
Jacksonville Jaguars November 30, 1993, 3:12 PM CST, Chicago, IL, 41N52 00 087W39 00 The Jacksonville Jaguars began their franchise November 30, 1993. Their Sun at 8 Sagittarius conjuncts Mars at 15 Sagittarius and each year the team’s strength improves. Mercury/Pluto/Venus conjunct in Scorpio keeps their quarterbacks powerful and intense.
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Mercury/Pluto/Venus squares Saturn at 24 Aquarius, slowly building structure and organization within the franchise. Moon at 27 Gemini quincunxes Saturn and Pluto/Venus making the emotional structure of the franchise quick to react to the changes needed to adjust the team to whatever the situation calls for. Mercury/Pluto/Venus sextile Neptune/Uranus at 19 Capricorn adds to the intuitiveness and power defense of the teams built here.
Football: Feline Franchises – Welcome Team 30 - Jacksonville Jaguars Franchise 32 The League’s announcement that it required more time to choose a second team left the cities of St. Louis, Memphis, Jacksonville, and Baltimore, in frustrated limbo. Sources said this delay was to give St. Louis more time. St. Louis felt it had the edge in being awarded the second franchise because it had the largest TV market in the country for a city without a team. They were located in the flexible Central Time Zone, and construction had already begun on a 70,000 seat downtown stadium that would be ready by the first month of the 1995 season. Was all this hype in St. Louis really for a new franchise or, possibly, just to get Georgia Frontiere and the Rams to move there? St. Louis was quite surprised when the NFL owners met again near Chicago (Rosemont, Illinois) on November 30, 1993 and voted 26-2 in favor of awarding the second franchise to the long shot Jacksonville Jaguars. This decision was announced at 3:12 pm CST. 224
On November 30, J. Wayne Weaver nearly fainted when Commissioner Paul Tagliabue called him into a room mid-afternoon and handed him the keys to the wealthiest League in sports. Jacksonville, from July 21 to Sept 3, had not even been in the race; they had no office space, no employees and no chance. “They had locked the doors and turned out the lights,” said David Seldin, Jaguar president, because they could not agree with city officials about improvements to the aging Gator Bowl stadium. The Jaguars sold out their 68 proposed skyboxes and 10,000 club seats only to refund the money when they dropped out of the race and then resold the seats when they got back into the running. Touchdown Jacksonville! Ltd., rebounded to make a mid-September presentation, then waited, hoping the other proposed expansion groups would fall apart. What Jacksonville did have working for it was a big fan base. In 1979 when Robert Irsay discussed moving the Baltimore Colts to Jacksonville, 55,000 fans filled the Gator Bowl just to watch him land his helicopter. The game attendance during the two seasons of the Jacksonville Bulls was the highest of the entire United States Football League. The owners also thought Jacksonville would do as well as Buffalo and Green Bay had in smaller markets. Ticket sales began the day the franchise was awarded and city officials finally agreed on a $121 million renovation to the 73,000-seat grass field, Gator Bowl Stadium.
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Baltimore Ravens February 9, 1996, 10:00 am EST, Baltimore, MD, 39N17 25 076W36 45
The Baltimore Ravens began their franchise February 9, 1996, as Art Model physically moved the "Cleveland Browns"to Baltimore. Sun at 20 Aquarius conjunct Mars at 25 Aquarius gives the new franchise power and energy and competitiveness. The Moon at 16 Libra square Jupiter at 8 Capricorn helps the team to expand on a very serious note with strategy and structure. Pluto at 2 Sagittarius trine 226
Venus at 00 Aries adds to the self-confidence and fire of the team. Mercury/Neptune at 24-26 Capricorn adds structure and maturity to the team’s quarterbacks.
Houston Texans October 6, 1999, 3:00 AM EDT, Atlanta,GA,33N44 56 084W23 17
The New Houston Franchise began October 6, 1999, after they out-bid the Los Angeles groups and used both Houston tax money and the new owners money to showcase the new franchise. Venus at 28 Leo reflects big showy money. Their 12 Libra Sun trines Uranus at 12 227
Aquarius. This should help the franchise build a strong defense and step up in unusual ways to showcase the team. Moon at 4 Virgo squares Pluto at 8 Sagittarius should build an emotionally strong team flexible to quick changes when necessary. Neptune at 1 Aquarius square Jupiter at 2 Taurus will help expand the visions of the team and give the team a solid concrete structure to build around. Mars at 22 Sagittarius trine Venus at 28 Leo will help the team stay optimistic and keep the fun in the game plans. Saturn at 16 Taurus square Uranus should build a strong defense for the team. It will be interesting to note that there are several configurations that are four degrees apart and could indicate that in four years the new expansion team may be one to watch out for. With Uranus 12 Aquarius/Saturn 16 Taurus; Saturn 16 Taurus/Ascendant 14 Leo; Sun 12 Libra/Ascendant 14 Libra; Pluto 8 Sagittarius/Uranus 12 Aquarius/Sun 12 Libra, I would put money on them to be in the playoffs then, that’s the 2003 NFL season.
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Note: The Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers are now in the American Football Conference but originally started off in the National Football Conference. Seattle Seahawks originally began play in the American Football Conference but moved to the National Football Conference in 2002 as both leagues were reorganized into four divisions with four teams each.
AFC Stadium Coordinates & Time Zones33
BALTIMORE RAVENS (Ravens Stadium) 39N16'12"/ 76W37'12" / +5 EST Baltimore MD (opened in 1997)
BUFFALO BILLS (Ralph Wilson Stadium) 42N46'12"/ 78W47'24" / +5 EST Orchard Park, N Y (opened in 1973)
CINCINNATI BENGALS (Paul Brown Stadium) 39N06'00 / 84W30'36"/ +5 EST Cincinnati, OH (opened 2000)
CLEVELAND BROWNS (Cleveland Browns Stadium) Cleveland, OH (opened in 1999)
DENVER BRONCOS (INVESCO Field at Mile High) 39N44'24"/105W01'12"/+7 MST Denver, CO (opened in 2001)
HOUSTON TEXANS (Reliant Stadium) 29N45’47”/ 095W21’47”/ +6 CST Houston, TX (opened in 2002)
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (RCA Dome) 39N45'36"/ 86W09'36"/ +5 EST Indianapolis, IN (opened in 1983)
JACKONSVILLE JAGUARS (ALLTEL Stadium) 30N19'12" / 81W38'24" / +5 EST Jacksonville, FL (opened in 1995)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (Arrowhead Stadium) 39N03'00"/ 94W28'12"/ +6 CST Kansas City, MO (opened in 1972)
MIAMI DOLPHINS (Pro Player Stadium) 25N57'00" / 80W14'24"/ +5 EST Miami, FL (opened in 1987)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (CMGI Field) 42N05'24"/ 71W16'12"/ +5 EST Foxboro, MA (opened in 2002 )
NEW YORK JETS (Giants Stadium) 40N48'36" / 74W04'48"/ +5 EST East Rutherford, NJ (opened in 1976)
OAKLAND RAIDERS (Network Associates Coliseum) 37N45'00"/ 122W12'00 +8 PST Alameda, CA (opened in 1966)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Heinz Field) 40N27'00"/ 80W00'36"/+5 EST Pittsburgh, PA (opened in 2001)
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SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (Qualcomm Stadium) 32N747'24"/117W07'12/+8 PST San Diego, CA (opened in 1967)
TENNESSEE TITANS (Coliseum) 36N07’05” / 086W40’37”/ +6 Nashville, TN (opened in 1999)
data compiled by B.J.Towers and C.Michael Smith Note: All time zones are Standard
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Chapter Nine
Birth of the NFC Teams NFC - National Football Conference
NFC Realignment 2002 East
North
South
West
Dallas
Chicago
Atlanta
Arizona
NY Giants
Detroit
Carolina
St. Louis
Philadelphia
Green Bay
New Orleans
San Francisco
Washington
Minnesota
Tampa Bay
Seattle
In the new realignment starting in 2002, the most historical rivals in the East and North will still fight for the titles; however, the South and West divisions will have a new mix of teams challenging to be the top dog. Teams have moved from the NFC to the AFC in years past but this is the first year an original AFC team (Seattle Seahawks) moved to the NFC. It will be interesting to watch Tampa Bay and Seattle as years go by since both began conference play on the same date. The varying locations and times of the games set their 232
Moons apart by one degree and give Seattle Seahawks the Scorpio ascendant while Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Sagittarius ascendant. When timing comes into play, those simple differences can mean years in the team being in the championship spot. These twins played each other in their first conference game. One team was the home team and the other was the visiting team. Their team chart was still born where the game was played and when the visiting team goes back home their surroundings and environment are different from where their team was born. Do they play better when they are back in the town where they were born? A bit of history on each of the teams helps one to connect the dots through time as the teams have moved or changed their name yet retained the same intensity. The same is true of an individual who is born, gets married and changes his/her name, and moves from city to city, state to state or even country to country. It’s still the same person born with the same birth chart. Only their immediate environment is different when they move from place to place. They have different neighbors, a different house, a different job yet they are still the same individual. The same is true with team birth charts. There are three different dates one could use as the birth of each of the teams. The first date would be when the NFL issued the franchise. The second date would be when the team played their first preseason game. The third date would be their first official NFL conference game. As you probably noticed in previous chapters, several teams share the same franchise date. A player is not considered on the team until the first official conference game when the season opens. Many of the players trying to make a team are home on vacation by week two of the preseason. What the NFL 233
documents as the first official game is what I use as the birth of a team. I have found that chart works the best in predicting the winner against the Game Chart and comparing who has the stronger energy during the game. Each year, and often on Super Bowl Sunday, I start the process of updating the teams’, quarterbacks’ and coaches’ charts for the following year. Regardless of the year in question, the natal chart will always be the natal chart, but in updating the charts, the planets move forward. These updates can point out a most significant year or prominent time for a particular team, quarterback or coach. When you see planets in all three natal charts lining up, there is a strong indication that team will be in the playoffs the following year. The new schedules come out in April so there is plenty of time to set up all the Game Charts and be ready when preseason arrives. There’s just a little work moving all the coaches and quarterbacks to their new locations. In July I set up the next Super Bowl chart and compare chart degrees of the planets for Super Bowl Sunday with these same team charts. Without planets at the same degrees as the Super Bowl chart, the teams in questions do not have a chance to be one of the contenders for the next Super Bowl. I'm always amazed to see teams that were 1-15 the previous year now having planets activated and having a chance to make the playoffs. ESPN always talks about "Inside the Numbers" referring to the stats of the games played. Well, this is a different "Inside the Numbers" using the degrees of the planets in the Game charts connecting to the natal team, quarterback and coach charts. The same formula works in all pro team sports. Everybody has a natal chart and has to play
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on a set schedule but only when the degrees connect between the teams and game chart do they have exceptional games that make history.
Chicago Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals, Phoenix Cardinals, Arizona Cardinals
Birth Name: Originally Morgan Athletic Club, Normals, Racine Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals First Season: 1920 First Preseason Game: Not available. For some of the earlier teams the first preseason game is their first conference game.
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First Conference Game: October 10, 1920, 3:00 pm CDT, Chicago, IL 41N52 087W37 00 34 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 06 Scorpio 44; Mars/Neptune 18 Libra 55; Saturn/Neptune 01 Virgo 13
The Cardinals boast the distinction of being the oldest, most continuously fielded professional football franchise in the nation. Founded originally in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club, they played on the south side of Chicago. The team was later acquired by Chris O’Brien, a painting and decorating contractor, and began playing at Normal Field under the new name, the Normals. In 1901 O’Brien found some bargain faded maroon jerseys formerly used by the University of Chicago. “That’s not maroon, it’s Cardinal Red!” declared O’Brien. The club’s permanent nickname had been born! The new field and colors led to the name, the Racine Cardinals. In 1906, the team had to disband because football competition was exclusively amateur and it was hard to find other teams to play. In 1913 O’Brien reorganized the Cardinals. By 1917 they were able to buy new uniforms, hire a coach, (Marshall Smith) and were champions of the Chicago Football League. The war in Europe and a flu epidemic in the United States forced the team to suspend operations again in 1918. Following Armistice Day, O’Brien reorganized the Cardinals for a third time. From that day forward the Cardinals have been a permanent part of professional football in America. The Racine Cardinals were a charter member of the 1920 National Football League and paid $100 franchise fee. In 1922 a team from Racine, Wisconsin joined the NFL and forced the Cardinals to change their name again. As the 236
Chicago Cardinals, they now played their games at Comiskey Park. They won their first NFL championship in 1925 with Norman Barry as head coach. In 1929 Dr. David Jones, a Chicago physician, purchased the team and coaxed running back Ernie Nevers out of retirement to become player-coach. After guiding the Cardinals to a 16-14-3 composite record in three seasons, Nevers retired. His most famous game was 40 points on six touchdowns and four extra points in the historic 40-6 victory over the crosstown Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day, 1929. Nevers’ 1932 departure marked the arrival of a new club owner, Charles W. Bidwill, Sr., then vice president of the Chicago Bears. He purchased the Cardinals from Jones for $50,000. Bidwill divested himself from Bear involvement and a new era began. In 1944, because of the war, the Cardinals combined with the Pittsburgh Steelers to play as one team. It was called Card-Pitt. The team split its home games between Chicago’s Comiskey Park and Forbes Field in Pittsburgh but failed to win a game in ten tries. In 1947, the Cardinals “million dollar backfield” (fullback Pat Harder, halfbacks Elmer Angsman and Charley Trippi) won the Western Division title and the NFL championship in a 28-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on the frozen Comiskey Park turf. Bidwell’s death in April deprived him of witnessing the club’s first NFL crown in 22 years. Bidwell’s widow, Violet, assumed control of the franchise for the next 15 years. This era included the Cardinals playing in the 1948 NFL championship game but losing 7-0 at Philadelphia. The team transferred from Chicago to St. Louis in 1960.
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When Mrs. Bidwill died in January 1962, control moved to sons Charles W. Bidwill, Jr. and William V. Bidwill. On July 1, 1976, the company was incorporated with William Bidwill continuing as chief executive officer. Their first NFC Eastern Division title had been won in St. Louis in 1974. Subsequently, the Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 30-14, in their first playoff appearance since 1948. The Cardinals again in 1975 won a division title but lost in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams 35-23. In 1982, Green Bay beat the Cardinals 41-16 in the first round playoffs. After 28 years in St. Louis, the Cardinals relocated to Arizona in the spring of 1988 and made Sun Devil Stadium their home. On March 17, 1994, President Bidwill announced his decision to rename the team as the Arizona Cardinals.
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Atlanta Falcons
Birth Name: Atlanta Falcons First Season: 1966 First Preseason Game: August 1, 1966, 8:30 pm EST, Atlanta, GA 33N45 00 084W23 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 11, 1966, 1:30 pm EST, Atlanta, CA 33N45 00 084W23 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Gemini 52; Mars/Neptune 00 Libra 22; Saturn/Neptune 23 Capricorn 22 In Super Bowl XXXIII - Lost to Denver Broncos, 34-19 35
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On April 15, 1964, Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. broke ground on the $18 million dollar Atlanta Stadium. Both the AFL and NFL had discussed the possibility of Atlanta as the location for a new pro football team. The Milwaukee Braves had announced that they would move to Atlanta and become the Atlanta Braves. Mayor Allen stated that he was breaking ground with money they did not have and with teams that did not exist. The AFL awarded a franchise for Atlanta to J. Leonard Reinsch on June 8, 1965. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle originally said the NFL would award an expansion team in 1967, but after the AFL Atlanta franchise announcement, he dispatched public opinion pollster Louis Harris to Atlanta. Harris conducted a poll showing that the citizens of Atlanta overwhelmingly favored an NFL team over an AFL team. This was a bitter defeat for the AFL. Rankin M. Smith was awarded an NFL franchise for $8.5 million on June 30, 1965. Smith’s franchise was awarded a lease on the new stadium and the AFL franchise ceased to exit. On August 29, 1954, Julia Elliott won a radio station contest by suggesting to name the team the “Falcons”. On January 26, 1966, Norb Hecker was named the Falcons first head coach.36 On Monday, August 1, 1966, the Atlanta Falcons lost their first preseason game to the Philadelphia Eagles 9-7. The Eagles were heavily favored to win but failed to score a touchdown against the fired-up new Falcon defense. That Falcon first preseason game had Mars at 14 Cancer sextile Uranus at 17 Virgo that exhibited the strong defense in their first try. “The Falcons almost pulled off an upset” was part of the write up by the United Press International that the Los Angeles Times printed August 2, 1966. The caption of the article was “Falcons Lose by ‘Foot” to Eagles, Atlanta.”37 It seems that this energy is still with the Falcons as they end 240
another season in the playoffs in 2003 against the Eagles where they lost 20-6 on January 11, 2003. Atlanta lost its first regular season game to the Los Angeles Rams 19-14 at Atlanta Stadium, September 11, 1966. Their first victory at Atlanta Stadium was December 11, 1966, where they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 16-10. That same energy carried over to the Atlanta Falcons first conference game where they lost 19-4 to the Los Angeles Rams September 11, 1966 in Atlanta. The team conference chart no longer had Mars sextile Uranus, but instead Pluto/Sun/Mercury conjunct Uranus in Virgo, meaning powerful team, quarterback and defense. “The Rams had to fight for their lives” and “hard-pressed to defend an expansion franchise” expressed these planetary combinations.38 During the January 2003 playoff season the Falcons marched into Lambeau freezing temperatures, team confident and powerful, with exceptional quarterback Michael Vick, to defeat the Green Bay Packers in the wild card game then lose the following week in the divisional playoffs again to the Eagles. “Five-Smith, Inc.” is the corporate name for the Atlanta franchise registered August 20, 1965. It was so named for Rankin Smith’s five children. 41 year old Smith was awarded the NFL franchise on June 30, 1965. The team’s first practice was July 2, 1966. The teams’ nickname, “Falcons,” is proud and dignified, with great courage and flight. It (a falcon) never drops its prey. It is deadly and has a great sporting tradition.
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Carolina Panthers
Birth Name: Carolina Panthers First Season: 1995 First Preseason Game: July 29, 1995, 2:30 pm EDT, Canton, Ohio 40N48 081W23 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 3, 1995, 1:00 pm EDT, Atlanta, GA 33N50 084W24 00 39 Falcons won 23-20 (Atlanta, GA) Overtime Game (OT) Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 09 Capricorn 54; Mars/Neptune 10 Sagittarius 20; Saturn/Neptune 22 Aquarius 36 242
Football: Feline Franchises – Welcome Team 29
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Preseason Game Chart – How many fans say that preseason games do not count? If you listen to the commercials, you will hear them say preseason is where players are made. Carolina and Jacksonville made their joint debut at a preseason game against each other, the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton Ohio held at 2:30 pm EDT, July 29, 1995 at the Canton High School stadium. The visitors, the Carolina Panthers, defeated the home team Jacksonville Jaguars 20-14, after a struggle which ended with Jacksonville failing to score from Carolina’s 2yard line with one minute, ten seconds left in the game. Both teams downplayed the historical significance of the game. After all, the pregame hype was that is was only an exhibition game. The Hall of Fame installed two extra bleacher sections in anticipation of an overflow crowd. Both teams played the way teams play when winning is important. In the final three minutes, the Jaguars twice converted fourth downs to keep their drive alive. In the final fourth down at the Carolina 2-yard line, Carolina cornerback Steve Lofton got a hand on a quick slant intended for receiver Cedric Tillmen thus thwarting quarterback Brunnel’s pass. The following end zone celebration by the Panthers confirmed that this was more than just an exhibition game. Rick Gosselin, a staff writer of The Dallas Morning News, wrote “Now even the NFC’s worst is beating the AFC’s worst.”
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The Jaguars had four turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions during the game. The Panthers had two fumbles but recovered them and kept a perfect record of no turnovers. Check the game chart to see what was going on that might give us insights about the game. Game Analysis - The 1st house represents the home team (Jacksonville Jaguars) and the 7th house represents the visitors (Carolina Panthers). Mars and Pluto rule Scorpio representing the Jaguars and Venus rules Taurus for the Panthers. Mars at 05 Libra was applying to an exact sextile with Jupiter Rx at 05 Sagittarius, and the Sun at 05 Leo was one degree past an exact sextile to Mars while trine to Jupiter. Pluto Rx at 28 Scorpio was applying to an exact sextile to Uranus Rx at 28 Capricorn. The typical football game lasts approximately three hours. We have to work with whatever aspects are exact during the time period of the game because they reveal what is happening during the game. The Sun in the game chart represents the team that is favored against the point spread. In its debut game, Carolina was favored by three points. Since the Sun was already one degree past the sextile to Mars and the trine to Jupiter – aspects which were good for Jacksonville – let us look at Venus representing the Carolina Panthers. Venus at 00 Leo was applying to a conjunction of the Sun at 6 Leo and was in an exact semisextile to the Moon at 00 Virgo. It is only a coincidence that six degrees was the final point spread. If exact outcomes were this easy to predict, we would all be rich. 244
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Jaguars vs. Game Chart
North Node 03 Sagittarius Trine Venus 00 Leo Trine Sun 06 Leo Square Moon 00 Virgo Sextile Mars 05 Libra Conjunct Jupiter 05 Sagittarius Semisextile North Node 00 Scorpio Jupiter 04 Scorpio Square Venus 00 Leo
Panthers vs. Game Chart
North Node 03 Sagittarius Trine Venus 00 Leo Trine Sun 06 Leo Square Moon – 00 Virgo Sextile Mars 05 Libra Conjunct Jupiter 05 Sagittarius Semisextile North Node 00 Scorpio Sun 03 Scorpio Square Venus 00 Leo 246
Square Sun 06 Leo Square Mercury 08 Leo Sun 08 Sagittarius Trine Mercury 08 Leo Sextile Mars 05 Libra Conjunct Jupiter 5 Sagittarius Saturn 24 Aquarius Semisextile Saturn 24 Pisces Pluto 2 5 Scorpio Trine Saturn 24 Pisces Moon 27 Gemini Quincunx Venus 27 Scorpio Quincunx Pluto 27 Scorpio Quincunx Uranus 28 Capricorn
Square Sun 06 Leo Square Mercury 08 Leo Sextile Moon 00 Virgo Saturn 23 Aquarius Semisextile Neptune 23 Capricorn Pluto 24 Scorpio Sextile Neptune 23 Capricorn Trine Saturn 24 Pisces Moon 25 Pisces Trine Pluto at 27 Scorpio Sextile Uranus at 28 Capricorn Conjunct Saturn 24 Pisces Jupiter 26 Libra Square Neptune 23 Capricorn Square Uranus 28 Cancer
Analyzing the charts for the two team franchises against the game chart, note that Carolina has more squares and Jacksonville has more sextiles and trines. Two issues must be distinguished: The winner of the game vs. the winner against the Vegas point spread. When analyzing the game chart, favorable aspects to the Sun (sextiles and trines) favor the team picked to win the game by the Vegas odds. Unfavorable aspects (conjunctions, squares, and opposition) and any aspect Uranus or Neptune makes to the Sun in the game chart indicate that the favored team will not beat the point spread. When analyzing the game chart against the chart of the team franchise, first preseason game or conference game, the hard aspects show who actually has the strength during the three hour game period to sustain the effort and triumph. Thus, hard aspects are more accurate indicators for picking the winner.
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For the Panthers’ first conference game, Carolina played the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 3, 1995 starting at 1:00 pm EDT. Game Analysis, Panthers vs Falcons, 9/3/’95, 1 pm EDT: th Venus rules the 7 house of the game chart and is past any applying aspects throughout the game. When this happens the visiting team usually loses; consequently, it looks like the home team, the Falcons, will have the edge for this game. The Atlanta Falcon’s Moon at 05 Leo trines the game Jupiter at 7 Sagittarius and sextiles the game Mercury at 07 Libra. The Falcon’s Jupiter at 27 Cancer squares the game Mars and North Node at 27 Libra. The Falcons won in overtime 23-20.
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Decatur Staleys - Chicago Staleys - Chicago Bears
Birth Name: Decatur Staleys First Season: 1920 First Preseason Game: October 3, 1920, 3:00 pm CST, Decatur, IL 39N51 00 088W57 00 First Conference Game: October 17, 1930, 3:00 pm CST, Rock Island, IL 41N30 090W34 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 09 Scorpio 40; Mars/Neptune 21 Libra 31; Saturn/Neptune 09 Virgo 40 Super Bowl XX - Jan 26, 1986 - Chicago Bears 46 - New England Patriots 10 41
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On September 17, 1920, George Halas, representing the Decatur Staleys, met with representatives of 12 other clubs at Ralph Hays’ Hupmobile showroom in Canton, Ohio, to form the American Professional Football Association – which later became the NFL. Membership was set at $100. In 1921 the Decatur Staleys became the Chicago Staleys and played in Wrigley Field. They won the APFA Title with 91-1 record. Staley gave Halas the club and paid $5,000 to keep the Staleys’ name for the year. Halas made Dutch Sternaman his partner. On January 28, 1922, the franchise was renamed the Chicago Bears. One of the greatest of all Hall of Fame players was on the Chicago Bears for 13 years. He was said to be “poetry in motion” and was known in the league as “Sweetness.” His name -Walter Payton.
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Walter Payton
Walter Payton was know as “Sweetness” for his beautiful playing style, at Soldier Field with the Chicago Bears. That torch “Sweetness” was passed on to Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2002 NFL season. On Sunday, October 27, 2002, in a Cowboy game vs. Seattle at Texas Stadium, Emmitt Smith reached 16,728 rushing yards, passing the late Walter Payton 16,726 rushing yards, to become No. 1 on the all-time list and accomplishing a goal he had set before his rookie season. He finished the game with 251
16,743 yards. Smith ended his 2002 NFL season just 25 yards short of having 1,000 yards rushing per season since his rookie year with the Cowboys. Emmitt Smith stated that without Walter Payton doing what he did in the National Football League and being the man he was, Smith would not have had the dream and goal to shoot for or man to look up to. Walter Payton told the Chicago fans that he was the best running back in the draft and that when he got to Chicago they would love him. And he was the greatest running back to play in the NFL. Walter’s Sun at 2 Leo square Saturn at 2 Scorpio gave him the discipline he needed to follow through on his promise. He had 110 rushing touchdowns; 275 rushing yards vs. Minnesota Vikings on November 20, 1977, an NFL record for one game; 77 games with at least 100 rushing yards, another record; 10 seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards, an NFL record; 1 Super Bowl title (1985 Chicago Bears); a regular-season average of 4.36 yards per carry; past season average of 3.51 years per carry. What others said of Payton: Mike Ditka his coach in 1985 Chicago Bears 18-1 season, "He affected so many people in a positive way, (Sagittarius Ascendant) not only through athletic prowess, but through his generosity and for the way he lived his life."42 Walter's Moon at 10 Gemini square Venus at 14 Virgo drove him to prove his worth and respond quickly to the opportunities at hand on the field. It was an attribute that earned him the respect of Jim Brown, an acknowledged curmudgeon from the game’ s old school, who ranks Payton among the four or five best players ever. Where did all that courage come from?
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"They talk about speed and about size and about how much a guy lifts, but they don't talk about the heart of an individual," Brown said. "Walter was not big but he was as strong as anybody alive. He had that intangible that made him a demon." Payton’s Mars at 25 Sagittarius trined Pluto at 23 Leo, adding to his competitiveness and physical strength against players twice his size. Neptune at 23 Libra square Uranus at 23 Cancer sextile Mars at 25 Sagittarius exemplifies how strong, resourceful, powerful and defensive a player Payton could be. John Madden had another kind of memory. "I remember asking him once what he like doing best on the football field,” Madden said. "From most running backs you hear running, scoring touchdowns or leading the league in scoring." Not from Payton. "Walter told me his favorite play would be knocking down a blitzing linebacker and having his quarterback throw a touchdown pass. That symbolizes what kind of a team player Walter was." Walter’s Mars quincunx Uranus at 23 Cancer is where he was able to adjust quickly and surprise the linebackers with power blitzes and tackles. The kind of player who became a leader of the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons not only because of his offense but also because, as former linebacker Mike Singletary said, he was the player who worked hardest at practice and told the most jokes in the locker room. Again we hear how Walter’ s Sun square Saturn played out. Mercury conjunct Jupiter in his seventh and sextile Venus at 14 Virgo showed Walter’s playful side as his teammates enjoyed his jokes and pranks. "The Bears had some tough years but, no matter how tough it was, Walter was the kind of person that would make you feel good about playing the game." Singletary said. "You don't see that Payton attitude today," Brown said. "You don't see players fighting for every inch. Without the heart, all that speed and size is just wasted skill." 43
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How did Payton impact the Chicago Bears team? His Uranus at 23 Cancer squared the Bears’ Sun at 24 Libra. This is where he loved to blitz the linebacker on the opposing team. His Pluto at 23 Leo sextiles the Bears’ Sun adding power and pride to the team. His Neptune at 23 Libra conjuncted the Bears’ Sun. Maybe this is why he did not get his due in the 1985 Super Bowl and only gained 61 yards in that game. His Mars at 25 Sagittarius was conjunct the Bears’ Mars at 29 Sagittarius. He was THEIR running back and the best in the NFL. It was only appropriate that the Bears honored Payton the day after his memorial as they beat the Green Bay Packers 14-13.
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Dallas Cowboys
Birth Name: Dallas Cowboys First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: August 6, 1960, 2:00 pm PST, Seattle, WA 47N37 00 122W00 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 24, 1960, 8:05 pm CST, Dallas, TX 32N47 00 096W49 00 44 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 06 Aries 56; Mars/Neptune 04 Virgo 46; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 43 Super Bowl VI - Jan. 16, 1972 - Dallas Cowboys 24 - Miami 255
Dolphins 3 Super Bowl XII - Jan. 15, 1978 - Dallas Cowboys 27 - Denver Broncos 10 Super Bowl XXVII - Jan. 31, 1993 - Dallas Cowboys 52 Buffalo Bills 17 Super Bowl XXVIII - Jan. 30, 1994 - Dallas Cowboys 30 Buffalo Bills 1345 Super Bowl XXX - Jan 28, 1996 - Dallas Cowboys 27- Pittsburgh Steelers 17 In Super Bowl V - Lost to Baltimore Colts, 16-13 In Super Bowl X - Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-17 In Super Bowl XIII - Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 35-3146
Clint Murchison, Jr. and Bedford Wynne were awarded an expansion franchise in the NFL, on January 28, 1960, in Miami Beach, Florida. This was the second pro football franchise awarded to the city of Dallas and where the Dallas Texans franchise in the AFL cost $25,000, the NFL franchise cost Merchison and Wynn $600,000. The “book price” was $50,000 with the remainder of the charge for the players. The new franchise was originally referred to as the Rangers. Commissioner Pete Rozelle announced that 11 clubs voted in favor of the Rangers, the Chicago Cardinals failed to vote, George Marshall, president of the Washington Redskins opposed the expansion and the New York Giants Jack Mara had a what’s-in-it-for-us attitude. Tex Schramm was named general manager of the Rangers. This was the NFL’s second time to be in the city of Dallas. The New York Yankees, owned by a group headed by Giles E. Miller had moved to Dallas, were renamed the Texans, but failed financially and were taken over by the NFL and moved to Baltimore and given a new franchise as the Baltimore Colts. 47,48
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On March 13, 1960, a player pool that had been set up by 12 NFL teams freezing 25 names on their roster. The Cowboys had 24 hours to select 36 veteran players, 3 from each team. They lost their first preseason game at Seattle, Washington to San Francisco 16-10. The Cowboys first preseason victory came in Louisville, Kentucky where they beat the New York Giants 14-3. In their first league game, Dallas lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-28, September 24, 1960. The Cotton Bowl was the Cowboy’s first home stadium. On December 23, 1967, Clint Murchison, Jr. announced plans to build Texas Stadium in Irving and ground was broken on January 25, 1969. On July 5, 1969, quarterback Don Meredith, (1960-68), the last of the original Cowboys, announced his retirement. “Turn Out The Lights, The Party’s Over” is remembered from a Monday Night Football game’s commentary with Howard Cosell. On March 31, 1980, quarterback Roger Staubach announced his retirement after 11 record-breaking years with the Cowboys. He led the Cowboys to four Super Bowls. He became the sixth member of the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium on October 9, 1983. Those who preceded him were Bob Lilly, Don Meredith, Don Perkins, Chuck Howley, and Mel Renfro. Lilly was the first Dallas Cowboy elected to the Hall of Fame (1980) and Staubach soon joined him there, too (1985). The Murchison family sold the Cowboys to an 11-member limited partnership headed by H.R. “Bum” Bright in May 18, 1984. In 1986, the Cowboy’s steak of 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966-1985 came to an end as the team finished 79. The Cowboy’s founder, Clint Murchison, Jr. died March 30, 1987. He had hired Tex Schramm as general manager and given Tom Landry a 10-year contract. Tom Landry tied Curly Lambeau’s NFL record after coaching the Cowboys for 29 257
consecutive seasons, 1960–88. (Lambeau coached the Green Bay Packers from 1921-49.) In 1990, Landry was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He had led the Cowboys to five Super Bowls and 20 consecutive winning seasons. On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys from Bum Bright and announced that University of Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson would replace Tom Landry as head coach of the Cowboys. Schramm left the Cowboys after 29 years and was named president of the new World Football League of America. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 as the man behind the scenes in developing “America’s Team”. In 1989, the #1 NFL draft pick, quarterback Troy Aikman began his career with the Cowboys. By 1991, running back Emmitt Smith, wide receiver Michael Irving and tight end Jay Novacek were name synonymous with Aikman and the Dallas Cowboy success. The Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in 1993’s Super Bowl XXVII, the sixth Super Bowl appearance for the Cowboys and their Third World Championship. Their Fourth World Championship came in 1994 as they again defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-13 in Super bowl XXVIII. Fans will never know if Dallas could have been the first team to win four straight Super Bowls. Fights between the egos of Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson ended that era of Cowboy history. Jones’ money and Johnson’s brains combined to select new players and build/maintain the championship team. With Johnson’s departure and Switzer’s hiring, the demise of the Cowboys has continued. Switzer was a great recruiter, not a coach; Dallas won another Super Bowl because the players wanted it, not because Switzer coached them there. The 2002 season ends with another coach, Dave Campo, being fired. Jones sees himself as the Cowboys’ coach and only hires a puppet to do what he wants. But he does not 258
have a clue on how to really field a good team, and no one wants to work for him. Coaches need a voice in selecting the correct players and staff to build a championship team. Only when a coach is hired who is strong enough to handle Jones as Johnson once did will the Cowboys have any hope to rebuild and regain their title as America’s team again. Rumor has it the next Dallas coach will be Bill Parcells. Jones will have to give up some power if Parcells is to have a chance to rebuild the Cowboys. Roger Staubach – Dallas Cowboys – Super Bowl V, VI, XII When Roger Staubach fourteen times won a game in the last two minutes and in another nine games where the Cowboys came from behind in the fourth quarter to win, I was at those home games in Texas Stadium. Unfortunately, I was dating a guy who couldn’t stand to be in the traffic after a game, so we always LEFT AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING!!!!!!!!! I missed seeing the significant plays that whole season and only heard them on the radio as we drove home. I literally screamed the whole way home. On one occasion, my sister and brother-in-law and nephews were with us and my brother-in-law stood up and refused to leave. I thought we were going to get killed on the way home so I never complained again about leaving early but I really missed an exciting season.49
Where Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw had a way of getting ahead in a game and could rest on the side lines while their backups went in, Roger Staubach often did not come alive until the two minute warning. It didn’t seem to matter how many touchdowns we were behind, Staubach would find his receivers and win the game. Those days were exciting to say the least. What’s different about these three quarterbacks’ charts? Joe Montana had a Mercury/Uranus sextile which helped him 259
to take advantage of the opportunities at hand and run up the score. Montana had Saturn square Mars – so he took plenty of time, found his receivers and won no matter what. Bradshaw had Saturn sextile Mars – so he tried to get to the receivers in the end zone early and if necessary figure out what to do to win at the end of the game with his Mercury square Uranus. Staubach had a tight Mercury/Uranus square. He loved the challenge of the two-minute warning and had a wide Mars/Saturn conjunction that urged him to take control under pressure to win game after game. One conclusion that I can draw from the quarterback research is probably the most important information that an owner or coach should know before they pledge any cash to an up and comer. Any quarterbacks who are born with Saturn/Mars quincunx are the quarterbacks who choke at the two minute warning and are most likely to throw an interception to lose the game. The planets circle the Sun in cycles throughout the years, but it’s not everyday that Mercury/Uranus and Saturn/Mars align as they did in the charts of Graham, Staubach, Bradshaw and Montana. That’s why we only have a few really outstanding and memorable GREAT quarterbacks.
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Portsmouth Spartans - Detroit Lions
Birth Name: Portsmouth Spartans First Season: 1930 First Preseason Game: Sept. 14, 1930, 3:00 pm EST, Portsmouth, OH 38N44 00 083W00 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 14, 1930, 3:00 pm EST, Portsmouth, OH 38N44 00 083W00 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 07 Libra 57; Mars/Neptune 07 Leo 19; Saturn/Neptune 04 Scorpio 38 50 261
The Detroit Lions began their history in Portsmouth, Ohio as the Portsmouth Spartans from 1930-1933 before moving to Detroit in 1934. The only franchise where I have found a corporate name is here. They were awarded an NFL franchise under the name of The Portsmouth National Football League Corporation, June 12, 1930. The Spartans made their NFL debut at home defeating the Newark Tornadoes on Sunday, September 14, 1930. The Portsmouth Times lists the time of the game at 3:00 pm at Universal Stadium, Portsmouth, Ohio. George (Potsy) Clark was named the Spartans first head coach. Their first preseason and first conference game were one and the same. The Spartans played in championship fashion but was always the bridesmaid and never the bride. In 1935, the Detroit Lions won it all with a 7-3-2 record and beat the New York Giants on December 9, 1935, 26-7 for their first championship. The football fans felt their beloved Spartans had finally won the championship but they were now the Detroit Lions. 51, 52 Thanksgiving Day Series – Since 1934, the Detroit Lions have been a proud part of the American celebration of Thanksgiving. The holiday game was the brainchild of G. A. Richards, the first owner of the Detroit Lions. Richards had purchased the team in 1934 and moved the Lions from Portsmouth, Ohio to the Motor City. At that time, Thanksgiving Day football was a tradition in the midwest on the high school and college levels, but unheard of on the professional level. In fact, professional football played on any day back then was a risky proposition. The Lions were the new kids in town and had taken a backseat to the baseball team the Tigers. Despite the fact the Lions had lost just one game prior to Thanksgiving day in ’34, the largest crowd that season had been just 15,000. The opponent for the first Thanksgiving Day game on November 29, 1934, was the undefeated, defending World 262
Champion, Chicago Bears of George Halas with the reigning star of that era, fullback Bronco Nagurski. The game would determine the champion of the Western Division. Richards had convinced the NBC Radio Network to carry the game coast-to-coast (94 stations), and additionally, an estimated 26,000 fans jammed into the University of Detroit Stadium while thousands of disappointed fans were turned away. The Bears won the inaugural game, 19-16, and a classic was born. Since 1934, 56 Thanksgiving Day games have been played with the series at 28-26-2. The Detroit Lions continue to be the early NFL game on Thanksgiving Day, however, in 1965, The Dallas Cowboys started their own legion as the Thanksgiving Day afternoon NFL game. 53
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Green Bay Packers
Birth Name: Green Bay Packers First Season: 1921 First Preseason Game: September 25, 1921, 2:00 pm CST, Green Bay, Wisconsin 44N31 00 088W00 00 First Conference Game: October 23, 1921, 2:30 pm CST, Green Bay, WI 44N31 088W00 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 26 Virgo 42; Mars/Neptune 03 Virgo 38; Saturn/Neptune 08 Virgo 51 Super Bowl I - January 15, 1967 - Green Bay Packers 35 Kansas City Chiefs 10 264
Super Bowl II - January 14, 1968 - Green Bay Packers 33 Oakland Raiders 14 Super Bowl XXXI - January 26, 1997 - Green Bay Packers 35 New England Patriots 21 In Super Bowl XXXII - Lost to Denver Broncos, 31-24
Sometime between 1:00 pm and 1:45 pm, August 11, 1919, Earl (Curly) Lambeau and George Calhoun organized the Green Bay Packers while they walked around the park throwing a football. On that evening, a group of husky young athletes were called together and organized a football team in the dingy editorial room of the old Green Bay Press-Gazette Building on Cherry Street. That night’s decision was not announced until two days later. Actually the initial team idea had come a few weeks before during a casual street-corner conversation between Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun. It was apparently started by one of those “Why not get up a football team?” remarks; but once they got interested, Lambeau and Calhoun wasted no time. Vince Lombardi was named the Green Bay Packers’ coach January 28, 1959, a year to the day before rival franchises were awarded to Dallas and Minnesota. In an article, Football – Mania 54 Carol B. Hopkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, wrote that in researching the original games for the NFL teams, she found the September 14, 1919, 1:06 pm CST, Green Bay, Wisconsin 44N30.8 088W00. I believe this was what was documented as the first Green Bay Packers game prior to them joining the NFL. Ms. Hopkins thanks Ruth Dewey of Denver, Colorado, for the chart of the Green Bay Packers which she searched out while visiting Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Minnesota Vikings
Birth Name: Minnesota Vikings First Season: 1961 First Preseason Game: August 5, 1951, 1:00 pm CDT, Sioux Falls, SD 43N33 00 096W44 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 17, 1961, 1:35 pm CST, Bloomington, MN 44N35 093W17 00 55 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 06 Sagittarius 58; Mars/Neptune 00 Scorpio 01; Saturn/Neptune 16 Sagittarius 23 266
In In In In
Super Super Super Super
Bowl Bowl Bowl Bowl
IV - Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7 VIII - Lost to Miami Dolphins, 24-7 IX - Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6 XI - Lost to Oakland Raiders, 32-14 56
Minnesota was originally in the mix to be one of the first eight teams in the newly formed American Football League, but then withdrew from the AFL to receive an NFL franchise January 28, 1960, and begin play in 1961. Bert Rose as general manager named the team the “Vikings” and chose Norm Van Brocklin as the Vikings first head coach. The Vikings first league game was a win against the Chicago Bears, 37-17, at Metropolitan Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings have been to four Super Bowls, 1970 Super Bowl IV, 1974 Super Bowl VIII, 1975 Super Bowl IX, and 1977 Super Bowl XI, the first with quarterback Joe Kapp and the others with quarterback Fran Tarkenton. Their hope of a 1998 Super Bowl XXXIII appearance ended at the NFC Championship game as the Atlanta Falcons won 30-27 in sudden death overtime. That championship game had both the Sun and Moon applying to Neptune at the start of the game favoring the underdog Falcons. Had the game been played at a different time or on a different day, Minnesota might have reached their dream. It’s fascinating to check the game charts and see when negative energy can defeat even the best teams and allow the underdogs to shine and win.
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New Orleans Saints
Birth Name: New Orleans Saints First Season: 1967 First Preseason Game: August 2, 1967, 8:05 pm PDT, Anaheim, California 35N50 00 117W55 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 17, 1967, 1:30 pm CDT, New Orleans, LA 29N58 090W04 00 57 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 07 Aquarius 39; Mars/Neptune 28 Scorpio 37; Saturn/Neptune 01 Aquarius 09
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The Los Angeles Rams played host two years in a row to the debut of expansion teams, first the Atlanta Falcons and then the New Orleans Saints. The latter game was the first National Football League game played in Orange County in Anaheim, California. The Los Angeles Times listed kickoff at 8:05 pm. The Rams struggled to win in the Saints first preseason debut 16-7.58 Their first preseason victory was a win against the St. Louis Cardinals, 23-14, at Shreveport, Louisiana. The Rams were favored by 11 in the Saints season opener in New Orleans and won 27-13. 59, 60 Their first NFL win came in November when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-24, at Tulane Stadium. On November 1, 1966, the NFL awarded New Orleans a franchise. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle said stadium availability was the reason New Orleans was chosen as the new franchise. He personally flew to New Orleans to make the announcement in hopes that it would help boost the proposed constitutional amendment clearing the way for construction of a domed stadium in New Orleans. The Louisiana residents were to vote on the proposal the following Tuesday. 61, 62 On December 15, John W. Mecom, Jr. became the majority th stockholder-president of the 16 NFL franchise. On January 9, 1967 the team was named the Saints. The New Orleans team was named the “Saints” in honor of the Dixieland classic “When the Saints Go Marching In,” which became their fight song. Tom Fears was named as the first New Orleans head coach. 63 Saints kicker Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions, November 8, 1970, stood as the longest field goal in NFL history until October 25, 1998, when Jason Elam of the Denver tied the record in a Broncos/Jacksonville Jaguar game.
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On January 28, 1971, quarterback Archie Manning was drafted by New Orleans in the first round. The Louisiana Superdome was dedicated on August 3, 1974. New Orleans has had “almost” teams over the years but awaits a chance to be great enough to go to the Super Bowl.
New York Giants
Birth Name: New York Giants First Season: 1925 First Preseason Game: October 4, 1925, 1:00 pm EST, New York, NY 41N40 00 072W47 00 First Conference Game: October 11, 1925, 2:45 pm EST, Providence, RI 41N49 071W24 00 270
New York Giants 0 Providence Steamrollers 14. Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 26 Libra 01; Mars/Neptune 16 Virgo 19; Saturn/Neptune 03 Libra 54 Super Bowl XXI - January 25, 1987 - New York Giants 39 Denver Broncos 20 Super Bowl XXV - January 27, 1991 - New York Giants 20 Buffalo Bills 19 In Super Bowl XXXV - Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 34-7
The New York Giants were one of five new franchises admitted to the NFL in 1925. Timothy J. Mara, a bookmaker, and Billy Gibson, the manager of boxer Gene Tunney, were awarded the franchise on the warm, sunny afternoon of August 1, 1925 for $500. The Giants insist that the $500 of a down payment on the actual price was $2,500. Joe Carr, founder of the National Football League, wanted to establish a professional football team in New York. He first contacted Billy Gibson, a national sports figure, to promote football in New York, but Gibson had already invested in a similar but losing venture and was unwilling to take another big money risk. While Gibson spoke on the telephone with Carr, his friend T.J. Mara arrived late for an appointment to bargain for a piece of Tunney. Instead, Gibson handed the telephone to Mara and told him to talk to Carr about buying a franchise for New York. Gibson suggested they could go in on it together. When Mara asked how much the franchise was, Gibson said $500. Mara knew nothing about football at the time but thought any franchise in New York should be worth at least that much and went in on the deal. Carr met with Mara to warn him that losses could be as much as $40,000 the first season. Because Mara was a bookmaker and liked taking chances, New York gained a playfor-pay team, a piece of the All-Collegian Professional Football 271
Club, Inc., the New York Franchise in the National Football League. Gibson served as president, March as secretary, and Mara as treasurer. Mara soon discovered that his $500 only bought a piece of paper giving him the right to field a team and didn’t pay for any players or staff. To put a team on the field, he needed a coach, a team, a field, money and publicity. Many of Mara’s friends thought he had made a bad investment and refused to become involved financially, but Mara finally convinced Matty Frans and a few of his friends to buy shares in the corporation. He rented the Polo Grounds and named the team the Giants after the baseball team who played on the same field. With additional capital and a stadium, he began to assemble a team. Bob Folwell was hired as the coach. March and Mara knew that success required giving the New York fans big-name college stars. The first player was Dr. Joseph Alexander, a practicing physician in New York and an AllAmerican guard and center at Syracuse in 1918-20. March also signed some more authentic All-Americans – end Bob Nash of Rutgers, Lynn Bomer of Vanderbilt, guard Art Carney of Navy, tackles Century Milstead of Yale and Ed McGinley of Pennsylvania and running back Jim Thorpe of Carlisle. The Giants also signed Hinkey Hanes of Penn State, Jack McBride and Paul Jappe of Syracuse, Al Bednar, Joe Williams, Wally Walbride, and Matty Brennan of Lafayette, Dutch Hendrian of Pitt, Fred Parnell of Colgate, Heube Bebkert of Rutgers and Tom Myers of Fordham. The salaries ranged from $75-400 a game. Three got season contracts ranging from $3-4000.
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On paper the Giants looked strong. Most of the players held down full time jobs during the day so the team started off with problems getting the players together for daily afternoon 4:30 p.m. practices. With injuries and only 22 men most of the season, the Giants often lacked enough healthy players for practice. The biggest problem was Jim Thorpe, age 37, with a weak left knee and a fondness for alcohol. He got $200 to play half a game. Dr. Alexander was so busy with his medical practice that he was often late or missing for football practice. The Giants seems impressive enough, 26-0 in their opener, an exhibition game against the Ducky Pond’s All Stars at New Britain, Connecticut. The game was played October 4, 1925, at 1:00 p.m. in the rain. The Giants were cocky when they boarded a boat for the season opener scheduled for October 11, 1925 at 2:45 p.m. in Providence, Rhode Island. Their boat almost capsized and everyone got seasick. The Giants lost to the Providence Steamrollers 14-0. Mara was upset with the Giant performance, since he was counting on the victory to boost sales for the home opener against the Frankford Yellow Jackets of Pennsylvania. Mara gave tickets away and courted the media. The Giants started to win games but were $45,000 in the red. Mara came very close to selling the franchise, but no one wanted it. The biggest name in football then was Red Grange, the Galloping Ghost. Mara tried to sign him for the Giants but lost out to the Chicago Bears. The Bears and Grange were scheduled to play at the Polo Grounds on December 6. Despite the rain that fell all week, tickets sold faster than the Giants could print them. Over 73,000 fans filled the Polo Ground. The Bears won 19-7 and Mara was now $15,000 ahead for the season. Mara saw that a big name star and enough publicity could make professional football a successful and profitable enterprise. The Giants finished
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fourth in a 20 team league with a win/loss record of at 8-4 their first year. 64,65,66 The Giants are now 77 years old. The Giants franchise helped further pro football in a time when it was in danger of disintegration from lack of money and public support. The Giants have won NFL Championships in 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956 before the merger with the AFC. They had two Super Bowl wins in 1987 and 1991.
Philadelphia Eagles
Birth Name: Philadelphia Eagles First Season: 1933 274
First Preseason Game: First Conference Game: October 15, 1933, 2:30 pm EDT, Polo Grounds, Brooklyn, NY 40N38 073W56 00. The New York Giants won 56-0. 67 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 07 Capricorn 06; Mars/Neptune 22 Libra 57; Saturn/Neptune 25 Scorpio 34 In Super Bowl XV - Lost to Oakland Raiders, 27-10
On July 9, 1933, Philadelphia Eagles Bert Bell awarded thefranchise forfeited by Frankford Yellow Jackets to a Syndicate headed by Bert Bell and Lud Wray for $2,500. The club was christened the “Eagles” in honor of the symbol of the New Deal and the NRA. Bell and Wray formed a syndicate to purchase the Frankford Yellow Jackets NFL franchise. They knew the state law banning sports on Sunday was about to be repealed. Bell was the team’s general manager and Wray the Eagles first coach. The Eagles NFL debut was October 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York where the New York Giants won 56-0. The Eagles and Chicago Bears played in Philadelphia’s first Sunday Game, November 12, 1933, at Baker Bowl and game ended in a 3-3 tie. In 1924, the Frankford Yellow Jackets (Philadelphia) was awarded a franchise. No date is given. 68 In 1948 the Eagles won their first NFL championship defeating the Chicago Cardinals 7-0 in a blinding snowstorm at Shibe Park. In 1940 the home playing site switches from Municipal Stadium to Shibe Park, later known as Connie Mack Stadium. In 1943 the Eagles merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers, known as the “Steagles” for one year due to shortage of players during World War II. In 1971 the Eagles leave Franklin Field for a new home at Veterans Stadium. 69 On January 25, 1981, the Philadelphia Eagles went to their first Super Bowl (XV) at Pasadena, California, only to lose to the Oakland Raiders 27-10. Philadelphia was favored 275
to win by –3. The 2003 NFL playoffs have the Raiders hosting the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game and the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game January 19, 2003. Are there any similarities to the these playoff games that could have the same two host teams in Super Bowl XXXVII. Philadelphia coach, Andy Reid has just won Coach of the Year awards, as he has gotten him team to this position with three different injured quarterbacks. And Oakland Raiders quarterback, Rick Gannon, has already won MVP honor for the 2002 NFL season. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in the NFC Championship game, sending the Eagles home to vacation and the Buccaneers prepare for their first Super Bowl in the history of their franchise.
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Cleveland Rams, Los Angeles Rams, St. Louis Rams
Birth Name: Cleveland Rams First Season: 1937 First Preseason Game: First Conference Game: Sept. 10, 1937, 8:30 pm EST, Cleveland, OH 41N30 00 081W42 00 70 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 10 Aquarius 13; Mars/Neptune 03 Scorpio 10; Saturn/Neptune 25 Gemini 44 Super Bowl XXXIV - January 30, 2000 - St. Louis Rams 23 Tennessee Titans 16 In Super Bowl XIV - Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-10
Homer Marshman and Associates, a prominent group of local businessmen, were granted a Cleveland franchise, named the Rams on February 12, 1937. Hugo Bezdek was named head coach. As the league’s rookie franchise, the Rams finished with a 1-10-0 record. On April 6, 1943, the Cleveland Rams suspended operation for one season and resumed operation April 19, 1944. On January 12, 1946, the Cleveland Rams moved to Los Angeles where they became the Los Angeles Rams. The first LA Rams preseason game was August 23, 1946 (Friday Night) against the College All-Stars at Soldier Field, 8:00 p.m. CST. The NFL took on a truly national appearance for the first time when Reeves was granted permission by the league to move the NFL champion Rams to Los Angeles. On April 12, 1995, the NFL owners approved the Rams to move from Los Angeles, California to St. Louis, Missouri. On January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, the St. Louis Rams won their first Super Bowl, (XXXIV). They defeated the AFC champion, Tennessee Titans 23-16. St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner was named MVP. 71
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San Francisco 49ers
Birth Name: San Francisco 49ers First Season: 1946 First Preseason Game: August 24, 1946, 8:15 pm PST, San Diego, CA 34N43 00 117W09 00 72 First Conference Game: Sept. 8, 1946, 2:30 pm PST, San Francisco, CA 37N47 122W25 00 73 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 12 Virgo 00; Mars/Neptune 13 Libra 31; Saturn/Neptune 06 Virgo 00
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Super Bowl XVI - Jan. 24, 1982 - San Francisco 49ers Cincinnati 21 Super Bowl XIX - Jan. 20, 1985 - San Francisco 49ers Miami Dolphins 16 Super Bowl XXIII - Jan. 22, 1989 - San Francisco 49ers Cincinnati 16 Super Bowl XXXIV - Jan. 28, 1990 - San Francisco 49ers Denver 10 Super Bowl XXIX - Jan. 29, 1995 - San Francisco 49ers San Diego Chargers 26 74
26 39 20 55 49 -
The San Francisco 49ers charter to the All-American Football Conference was formed by Anthony J. (Tony) Marabito, along with partners Allen E. Sorrell and E. J. Turre. One of the partners selected the team’s nickname. Lawrence (Buck) Shaw of Santa Clara was named the 49ers’ first head coach. Kezar Stadium was their first home playing field. The 49ers finished second to the Cleveland Browns four years in a row. In 1949, the NFL and AAFC merged and in 1950 the 49ers only won three games in their first season in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers lost the first AAFC conference game to the New York Yankees 21-7 on September 8, 1946, at Kazar Stadium.75 That date was transferred to the NFL and recorded as their official NFL game. From a modest beginning in 1949 in the All-American Conference, the San Francisco 49ers reigned in the 80's and 90's as the superior NFL team with five Super Bowl wins, four under the helm of quarterback Joe Montana. Where Y. A. Tittle was a quarterback household word in the 50's, Billy Kilmer and John Brodie carried the 49ers quarterback load in the sixties. In 1974, five different quarterbacks were used after quarterback Steve Spurrier was injured and out for most of the year. 279
On March 31, 1977, a new era began for the 49ers as the team became the property of new owner Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. In 1978, Bill Walsh was hired as the new coach and general manager. Improvements slowly began to reform the 49ers. In 1980 Joe Montana set the club’s passing percentage record. By 1981 Walsh had received every possible NFC Coach-of-the-Year award. Montana was named MVP for Super Bowl XVI after leading the 49ers to a 26-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The 49ers second Super Bowl XIX win over the Miami Dolphins 38-16 again named Joe Montana MVP. The 1985 Rookie-of-the-Year was Jerry Rice with 927 receiving yards. In Super Bowl XXIII, Cincinnati lead the 49ers 16-13 with 3:20 left on the clock. Most of you have seen the famous footage on TV where one of the players turned to Cincinnati coach Sam Wyche and said “I think we left too much time on the clock for number 16.” San Francisco won 20-13 with 34 seconds remaining. This was their third Super Bowl win of the decade and gave them the title “Team of the 1980's”. Montana left the 49ers to play at the end of his career for the Kansas City Chiefs but returned to the city of San Francisco where his Number 16 was retired as a 49er.76 Joe Montana and Jerry Rice are only one of many quarterback – receiver combinations who have made the NFL what it is today. Comparing a player’s chart to the team’s chart is the same as comparing a child’s chart to his parent’s chart. There are degree contacts between planets. The two planet combinations tell the story of what each person brings to the team as well as how the team helps build the player’s confidence and honors. When there are records broken and outstanding quarterback – receiver combinations, strong degrees contacts are there between these outstanding players.
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If you take the charts below and note the Super Bowls they each were in, you can see the third dynamic as how the Game Chart planets accelerated the excellence of the players. The San Francisco Jupiter at 26 Libra is exactly sextile Montana’s Pluto at 26 Leo. The 49ers and Montana present opportunities to each other. In other words, the 49ers helped expand the dramatic power of Montana. Montana’s Pluto was located in San Francisco’s 8th house – support from others. He reached the masses (Pluto) to expand (Jupiter)
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great honors to the 49ers team (Jupiter conjunct 10th house of San Francisco’s team chart). San Francisco’s Saturn at 4 Leo was quincunx Montana’s Mars at 4 Pisces. A Saturn/Mars quincunx means that from an energy stand point the running backs had to adjust and move quickly in different directions to give the offense the ability to win. Montana was able to scramble and get the ball to the open receivers and he was the one who make the adjustments to the offense so he empowered them to win. Montana’s Sun at 20 Gemini conjuncted San Francisco’s Uranus at 21 Gemini and trined the 49ers Mars at 19 Libra. Montana’s Sun was the heartbeat of the team electrifying the defense (Uranus) and firing up the receivers by taking every early opportunity to get them into the end zone for touchdowns (Mars).
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San Francisco’s Saturn opposed Jerry Rice’s Saturn. This gave both the team and Rice the opportunity to read the opposition and prepare with hard work to stabilize both. Rice’s Neptune in Scorpio squared the 49ers Pluto. Neptune/Pluto energy gave Rice and the 49ers the ability to be illusive, intense, secretive and powerful in executing the offense. San Francisco’s Sun conjuncted Rice’s Mars. Sun/Mars just turns on the spotlight and pushes the running back into a starring role. Rice’s Mars at 00 Leo was sextile Montana’s Mercury at 00 Gemini and conjunct Montana’s Uranus/Moon 00 Leo; 283
Rice’s Mercury Rx at 6 Libra was square Montana’s Venus Rx at 6 Cancer; Rice’s Venus at 26 Scorpio was square Montana’s Jupiter at 25 Leo 44; Rice’s Saturn at 4 Aquarius semisextiled Montana’s Mars at 4 Pisces. Rice was the motivation factor (Mars) that energized Montana emotional energy around the defense (Moon/Uranus). The intensity of Mercury/Venus square Rx added self-worth and power to their combination as quarterback and receiver. Venus/Jupiter expanded both their self-worth and financial value to the team. Saturn/Mars gave them the discipline for taking hours of practice to master their skills for performing on Sunday afternoons and 284
getting the ball in the end zone for touchdowns and 49er wins.
Super Bowl XVI’s game Moon in Aquarius is opposite Montana’s Uranus/Moon in Leo trine Montana’s Mercury in Gemini; Game Sun in Aquarius semisextile Montana’s Mars in Pisces; Game Saturn in Libra trines Montana’s 10th house at 22 Gemini (his discipline and hard work to receive honors); Game Neptune at 25 Sagittarius trines Montana’s Jupiter in Leo; Game Pluto at 26 Libra sextiles Montana’s Pluto in Leo. 285
In Super Bowl XIX game Sun 00 Aquarius is opposite Montana’s Moon/Uranus in Leo; Game Pluto 4 Scorpio trines Montana’s Mars in Pisces (Super Power); Game 1st house conjuncts Montana’s Venus in Cancer; Game Mars 20 Pisces squares Montana’s Sun in Gemini (maximum energy to shine); Game Saturn 26 Scorpio squares Montana’s Pluto in Leo (discipline and power); Game Jupiter 26 Capricorn quincunx Montana’s Pluto in Leo – Montana’s ability to scramble and adjust his power throughout the game.
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In Super Bowl XXIII game Uranus at 3 Capricorn trines Uranus in Virgo and sextiles Jupiter in Pisces - ability to ready the defense and expand his illusiveness to get the job done. Game 1st house in Cancer trines Venus in Scorpio– ability to project his self-worth and value on the game. Not as much was going on in Super Bowl XXIV for planet contacts. Super Bowl XXIV had Uranus at 7 Capricorn square 49ers’ Neptune 7 Libra giving strength and deception of their defense. SB Jupiter 1 Cancer trine 49ers Venus 1 Scorpio indicated expansion of their money and worth. Montana had 287
Venus 23 Capricorn conjunct 7th house opposite 1st house – trine his Ascendant 23 Virgo. The value of his play was there for the public to see (7th house), for the opposition to see (1st house) and his Ascendant located in the SB 3rd house added to his ability to communicate to the team’s success. Super Bowl XXIX moved into another era with Steve Young as the 49er quarterback as they defeated the Chargers 49-26.
Seattle Seahawks (Originally an AFC Team)
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Birth Name: Seattle Seahawks First Season: 1976 First Preseason Game: August 1, 1976, 1:00 pm PDT, Seattle, WA 47N37 00 122W00 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 12, 1976, 1:00 pm PDT, Seattle, WA 47N37 00 122W00 00 77 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 12 Virgo 24; Mars/Neptune 12 Scorpio 00; Saturn/Neptune 11 Libra 43 78
On June 15, 1972, Seattle Professional Football, Inc. announced their intention to bid for an NFL franchise. In November of that same year construction of the $67 million Kingdome was begun. On June 4, 1974, the National Football League awarded a franchise to Seattle to begin play in 1976. Tampa Bay was awarded a franchise to also begin play in 1976 on April 24. The franchise awarded to Seattle Professional Football, Inc. for $16 million was headed by Lloyd W. Nordstrom with partners Herman Sarkowsky, E.E. “Ned” Skinner, Howard S. Wright, M. Lamont Bean, and Lynn P. Himmelman. Lloyd W. Nordstrom, president of the Seattle Seahawks and Hugh Culverhouse, president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed their franchise agreements December 5, 1974. A contest to name the team drew 20,365 entries. “Seahawks” was selected June 17, 1975. Jack Patera was named first head coach of the Seahawks January 3, 1976. 79 The Seattle Seahawks league opening game was lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 30-24 in Seattle, Washington on September 12, 1976.80 The Kingdome is no more and the Seahawks moved into their new home Seahawks Stadium in 2002. Their dreams of a Super Bowl are still out there. Their astro twin, (conference team first game on same day) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, headed to their first NFC Championship Game Sunday, January 19, 2003. Why is one 289
team in the NFC championship game and the other team at home watching the game on their TV? Astrology is all about timing. The Seahawks played their opening game at 1:00 pm PDT in Seattle, Washington, giving them a 28 Scorpio Ascendant and Moon at 7 Taurus, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game began at 1:00 pm CDT giving them 5 Sagittarius Ascendant with a Moon at 6 Taurus. Seattle Franchise Chart to Super Bowl XXXVII has two quincunxs – Sun quincunx game Mercury – adjustments around quarterback – Matt Hasselbeck took over the starting job at quarterback after veteran quarterback and previous Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning quarterback Trent Dilfer went out injured for the season. – Mars quincunx Uranus – adjustments to defensive and defensive backs for the year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise on the other hand has Jupiter at 10 Pisces semisextile Super Bowl Neptune 10 Aquarius – Mercury at 22 Aries sextile Super Bowl Saturn at 22 Gemini – opportunities for their quarterback to take responsibility and be prepared for the Super Bowl game.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Birth Name: Tampa Bay Buccaneers First Season: 1976 First Preseason Game: July 31, 1976, 7:00 pm PDT, Los Angeles, CA 34N04 00 118W15 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 12, 1976, 1:00 pm CDT, Houston, TX 29N46 00 095W22 00 81 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 12 Virgo 22; Mars/Neptune 11 Scorpio 58; Saturn/Neptune 11 Libra 43
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On November 4, 1967, Tampa Stadium is dedicated as Tennessee defeats the University of Tampa, 38-0. The first NFL preseason game is played in Tampa Stadium as Washington defeats Atlanta before a crowd of 42,000. In November 1968, the first group attempting to secure an NFL franchise for Tampa Bay is formed. This group, known as the Suncoast Pro Football Committee, functions until 1972 when the Tampa Chamber of Commerce appoints the formal West Coast NFL Task Force headed by J. Leonard Levy. April 24, 1974, Tampa Bay is awarded the NFL’s 27th franchise. As part of the franchise award for the area, Tampa Stadium will be enlarged to 72,000 seats. 82 Originally the franchise was awarded to Philadelphia construction tycoon, Tom McCloskey on October 30 but he withdrew from the project two weeks later. The franchise was then awarded to Hugh F. Culverhouse, an investor and attorney from Jacksonville for $16 million. He had previously tried to purchase the Los Angeles Rams. On February 15, the team name “Buccaneers” was selected after 400 nicknames had been submitted. The Tampa City Council volted to approve expansion of Tampa Stadium from 46,000 to 72,000. On October 31, John McKay was signed as Tampa’s first head coach. On March 30, 1976, Tampa Bay selected 39 players in the veteran allocation draft in New York. The Buccaneers became the first 0-14 team in NFL history. They lost their first preseason game, July 31, 1976 to the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, CA. The Houston Oilers defeated the Buccaneers 20-0 in their first NFL league debut 292
in Houston, September 12, 1976. Their new home, Raymond James Stadium, was opened in 1998. 83
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record in NFC Wild Card Playoff Games: -lost to Dallas 30-17, January 9, 1982. -defeated Detroit Lions 20-10, December 28, 1997.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record in NFC Divisional Playoff Games: -defeated Philadelphia 24-17 at Tampa, Dec. 29, 1979. -lost to Dallas 38-0 at Irving, Texas, Jan. 2, 1981. -lost to Green Bay 35-14 at Green Bay, Jan. 4, 1997. -defeated Washington 14-13 in Tampa, Jan. 15, 1999. In 2000 and 2001 they again were in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Games but lost both times to Philadelphia Eagles, 21-3 (P); 31-9 (P).84 The 2002 NFL season, the Buccaneers drew a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-6, Sunday, January 12, 2003, at Tampa. This victory sent them for the first time to the NFC Championship Game, January 19, 2003. Again they faced off with the Philadelphia Eagles. This time, not only did Tampa beat the Eagles 27-10, but won their first trip to a Super Bowl. On January 26, 2003, at Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, California, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21.
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Boston Braves - Boston Redskins - Washington Redskins
Birth Name: Boston Braves First Season: 1932 First Preseason Game: First Conference Game: October 2, 1932, 2:30 pm EST, Boston, MA 42N22 00 071W04 00 85, 86 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 02 Scorpio 38; Mars/Neptune 23 Leo 01; Saturn/Neptune 18 Scorpio 30 Super Bowl XVII - January 30, 1983 - Washington Redskins 27 - Miami Dolphins 17 Super Bowl XXII - January 31, 1988 - Washington Redskins 42 Denver Broncos 10 Super Bowl XXVI - January 26, 1992 - Washington Redskins 37 294
Buffalo Bills 24 In Super Bowl XVIII - Lost to Los Angeles Raiders, 38-9
On July 9, 1932, an inactive Boston franchise is transferred to a syndicate headed by George Preston Marshall and named the Boston Braves. The Boston gridders moved to Fenway Park, home of the American League Red Sox, on July 8, 1933 and “the Braves” became “the Redskins.” The Washington Redskins were officially born as the National Football League approves transfer of Boston Redskins franchise to Washington, D. C. on February 13, 1937, and a new history begins. 87 Lud Wray was hired as the first head coach for the Boston Braves. The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists the first official league game for the Boston Braves as October 2, 1932 at Braves Field against the Brooklyn Dodgers where the Braves lost 14-0 at Boston, MA. “Hail to the Redskins” was written in 1937 and then came the 150 all-volunteer Redskins Marching Band, founded August 9, 1937. 88 First Victory in Washington: The First Game! On September 16, 1937, the Thursday night opener drew 19,941 fans to flood-lighted Griffith Stadium. Riley Smith scored on 50-yard run with an interception, two field goals and extra point. The final score was Redskins 13, New York Giants 3.89 The Redskins home now is FedEx Field that opened in 1997 at Landover, Maryland.
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Chapter Ten Birth of the AFC Teams AFC - American Football Conference
AFC Realignment 2002 East
North
South
West
Buffalo
Baltimore
Houston
Denver
Miami
Cincinnati
Indianapolis
Kansas City
New England
Cleveland
Jacksonville
Oakland
NY Jets
Pittsburgh
Tennessee
San Diego
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Baltimore Ravens
Birth Name: Baltimore Ravens First Season: 1996 First Preseason Game: August 3, 1996, 7:30 pm EDT, Baltimore, MD 39N17 25 076W36 45 First Conference Game: Sept. 1, 1996, 2:00 pm EDT, Baltimore, MD 39N17 25 076W36 45 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 00 Gemini 20; Mars/Neptune 25 Aries 05; Saturn/Neptune 00 Pisces 33 Super Bowl XXXV - Jan. 28, 2001 - Baltimore Ravens 34 New York Giants 7
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The city of Baltimore has a history of teams arriving and leaving in the middle of the night (note the Baltimore Colts and the Cleveland Browns). Where the Colts took their franchise and conference team chart with them and simply relocated to Indianapolis, the original Browns’ historical record remained with the city of Cleveland. When the Cleveland Browns resumed play they too had been awarded a new franchise and had a new conference team chart. The original Browns were reformed in Baltimore as the Ravens with a new franchise and conference game chart. The Ravens were a mere five years old when they won Super Bowl XXXV, defeating the NY Giants 34-7. The Ravens won their debut 19-14 against the Oakland Raiders. The Ravens were the 1st house, home team, ruled by Mars at 24 Cancer conjunct Venus. Venus/Mars loves to play and compete. Even though these two planets are in Cancer, Mars energy also rules Aries and Aries has to be number one in whatever they do. The Taurus Moon trine their Virgo Sun gives the Ravens a down-to-earth, hardworking team that is stubborn and pays attention to the details in any game they play. Mercury in Libra opposite Saturn in Aries helps the team to be more prepared and focused with an older quarterback. The team can get into trouble with the Moon’s energy quincunx Pluto as emotional frustration can set in around adjustments they have to make possibly to compensate for injured players (Moon conjunct 6th house ruling health of team). Mars conjunct Venus was one of the key planets activated sextile Saturn at 24 Taurus during their first Super Bowl win. Super Bowl game Jupiter was trine the Ravens Uranus adding to the confidence and strength of their defense that year. 90
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Buffalo Bills
Birth Name: Buffalo Bills First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: July 30, 1960 8:30 pm EDT, Buffalo, NY 42N53 00 078W53 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 11, 1960, 2:05 pm EDT, New York, NY 40N45 00 073W57 00 91 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Aries 24; Mars/Neptune 01 Virgo 03; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 30 TWIN: New York Jets In Super Bowls: 299
XXV - Lost to NY Giants, 20-19 XXVI - Lost to Washington, 37-24 XXVII - Lost to Dallas, 52-17 XXVIII - Lost to Dallas, 30-13 92
On October 28, 1959, Ralph Wilson was awarded the 7th American Football League franchise for a Buffalo team. Wilson was a minority stockholder of the Detroit Lions and had sought a team of his own for a long time. He named his team the “Bills.” Garrard (Buster) Ramsey was appointed as the first Bills head coach. Wilson leased War Memorial Stadium as the Bills first home, and where they stayed until 1973 when Ralph Wilson Stadium opened in Orchard Park, NY. The Bills first training camp was at East Aurora, New York. Returning to town the day before their first preseason game (July 30, 1960), the Bills were met by more than 100,000 Buffalo residents lining Main Street to welcome the team home and show community support. The Bills lost their first game at War Memorial Stadium to Lou Saban’s Boston Patriots, 28-7. On 9/11/60, the Bills lost their first conference game to the New York Titans 27-3. They finally won a game 9/23/60 shutting out the Boston Patriots, 13-0. In 1962, Coach Ramsey was fired and replaced by Lou Saban who coached the Bills from 1962-54 and again from 1972-76. The coach producing the best Bills record was Marv Levy. He coached the team to 123 wins, 78 losses and 0 ties from 1986-1997. He also took the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls only to be heartbroken by four losses in the big game. Let’s review at the Bills first Super Bowl (XXV) where they played the New York Giants and lost 20-19. During 300
that one point loss, the Bills had possession less than eight minutes in the second half and only 19 minutes and 27 seconds for the whole game. The Giants dominated for 40 minutes and 33 seconds of the game. The Las Vegas point spread favored the Bills to win by 7 points. With seconds left on the clock, the Bills kicker, Scott Norwood, sent a 47yard field goal attempt wide right. The Giants were the home team and the Bills the visitors. Sun/Saturn/Mercury/Neptune were in the Bills 12th house (game 6th house). It’s amazing with the Bills energy so hidden in the game that they only lost by one point. A classic signature of planet combinations where I have seen teams lose is Sun/Neptune. The Bills Neptune at 7 Scorpio was square the Super Bowl game Sun at 7 Aquarius. A Sun/Neptune aspect was there for all four Super Bowls that the Bills lost. In Super Bowl XXVI, game Neptune was at 17 Capricorn trine the Bills Sun at 18 Virgo and game Sun at 6 Aquarius was square their Neptune at 7 Scorpio. The Washington Redskins beat Buffalo 37-24 in that Super Bowl. For Super Bowl XXVII, Neptune was at 19 Capricorn trine the Bills Sun at 18 Virgo. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17. In Super Bowl XXVIII, Dallas again beat the Bills 30-13 with Neptune at 21 Capricorn trine the Bills Sun at 18 Virgo, and game Sun at 10 Aquarius square the Bills Neptune at 7 Scorpio. Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly brought one of the greatest teams in history to those four straight Super Bowls. Even with the greatest talent a coach can assemble, timing and energy during those three-hour games can defeat a coaches dream.
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After the 2003 Super Bowl, the game will be played on Sundays in February, so the Bills may have a winning chance as Super Bowl game Sun moves away from their Neptune. We’ll have to keep a close eye on Buffalo starting in 2004. New York Titans - New York Jets Birth Name: New York Titans First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: August 6, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Los Angeles, CA 34N04 00 118W15 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 11, 1960, 2:05 pm EDT, New York, NY 40N45 00 073W57 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Aries 24; Mars/Neptune 01 Virgo 03; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 30 TWIN: Buffalo Bills Super Bowl III - Jan 12, 1969 - New York Jets 16 - Baltimore Colts
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Joe Namath May 31, 1943, 6:20 am EWT, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 40N45 07 080W19 10 93
The New York Jets began as the New York Titans in 1960 with Don Maynard flanker from Texas Western becoming the first Titan to sign a contract. They were the first new pro-football team in New York in eleven years but few fans went to see them at the Polo Grounds. Two years later (in 1962), the National League baseball team New York Mets were born. The New Yorkers embraced the Mets and ignored the Titans. 303
The Titans played their first league game at the Polo Grounds, beating the Buffalo Bills in the rain 27-3, on September 11, 1960, at 2:50 pm, New York, NY. The Titans and Bills are actually Twins as this was the Bills’ first League Game, too. When two teams share the same chart it is interesting to compare notes as to what captured Super Bowl III for the Jets while the Buffalo Bills were in Super Bowls XXV; XXVI; XXVII; XXVIII, four years in a row only to lose them all. The Titans are ruled by Jupiter at 24 Sagittarius, opposite Mars in Gemini and separating from a trine to Uranus at 23 Leo. What does this mean? Jupiter builds confidence in the Titans with strong running backs and a defense that might not be as strong as it could be. The Buffalo Bills are ruled by Mercury at 29 Virgo. When a planet moved to the last degree of a sign it is considered technically Void of Course, sitting out there by itself, unaspected until it moves to the next sign and through degrees that contact the other planets in the chart. Actually Jupiter trines Mercury and Mars squares Mercury in oldfashioned astrology, but still the 29 degree Virgo in this birth chart demands that the quarterback for these two teams must always step-up above the call of duty in their performance. Joe Namath, the new Jets quarterback, guaranteed a win in Super Bowl III though the Jets were underdogs by 18 points. Quarterback Jim Kelly took his Buffalo Bills to four Super Bowls only to end up on crutches midway through his third Super Bowl try. The Titans thought they had reached the financial end in 1962, as during mid-season their paychecks bounced. The AFL league office assured the players that everything would be all right and that they would play the remainder of the season. 304
In March of 1963 a group of businessmen headed by Sonny Werblin bought the bankrupt franchise. The team was to remain in New York but would change the name from Titans to Jets on April 15, 1963. The club named Weeb Eubanks as head coach. He had been recently released by the Baltimore Colts. The two previous coaches had been Sammy Baugh and Clyde (Bulldog) Turner. In 1964, the Jets moved from the Polo Grounds to Shea Stadium and the New York fans finally came out to see them play. That same year, the team got Alabama QB Joe Namath for $427,000, an amount of money unheard of at that time. Joe Namath played his first professional game as the Jets rookies beat the New England Patriots rookies at Lowell, Massachusetts July 28, 1965. After sitting on the bench for the opener, Namath entered the second quarter against Kansas City in his first pro appearance. This was the second game of the 1965 season. In the third week of the season, Joe Namath started as quarterback and threw 19-40 for 287 yards and 3 TD’s but the Jets lost to Buffalo 33-21. Namath was honored as AFL’s Rookie of the Year after he had completed 164-340 for 2,200 yards with 18 TD and 15 interceptions. In the January 15, 1966 all-star game and Joe Namath at the helm, the AFL All-Stars beat Buffalo 30-19 and Namath was named MVP. Joe Willie, “Broadway Joe” as Joe Namath was known, was arrogant, brash, flamboyant, yet handsome, confident and charming after the Super Bowl III win. At a meeting in Miami where he had going to receive the city’s Touchdown Club’s FAME Award as the pro-football player of the year, he announed, “The Jets will win Saturday, I guarantee it.” And they did win Super Bowl III 16-7 over the 18 point favorite Baltimore Colts. After the Jets became the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl at Miami’s Orange Bowl, 305
Weeb Eubanks became the first coach to win world titles in both leagues and Namath was chosen Super Bowl MVP (January 12, 1969).
Cincinnati Bengals
Birth Name: Cincinnati Bengals First Season: 1968 First Preseason Game: August 3, 1968, 8:00 pm EDT, Cincinnati, OH 39N06 00 084W31 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 6, 1968, 5:30 PM PDT, San Diego, CA 32N43 00 117W09 00 94 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 22 Gemini 43; Mars/Neptune 07 Libra 22; Saturn/Neptune 09 Aquarius 24 306
In Super Bowl XVI - Lost to San Francisco, 26-21 In Super Bowl XXIII - Lost to San Francisco, 20-16
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Through his 158 Victories, 48 Losses, 8 Ties, seven conference titles and three NFL Championships with the Cleveland Browns, Paul Brown became a legend. After retiring, he missed football. In 1965 he had his son investigate what city could successfully support an expansion team. His son recommended Cincinnati. Brown meet with Ohio Governor James Rhodes to discuss the possibility of a second pro football team in the state. The Cincinnati City Council approved construction of Riverfront Stadium, December 15, 1966, fearing that the Cincinnati Reds might leave town and to accommodate a new pro football team in town. Brown’s group got an AFL expansion franchise, September 27, 1967. He felt revitalized and called the team the Bengals, the former name of Cincinnati AFL franchises in 1927, 1930 and 1931. In 1968, the Bengals were allocated 40 veteran players but rival teams were not too giving with their players. They wanted Brown to have less success in Cincinnati than he’d had in Cleveland. The Bengals lost their first preseason game to Kansas City 38-14 at Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 1968.96 The Bengals lost their first regular season game to the San Diego Chargers 29-13 in San Diego, California.97 The game was originally scheduled at 8:00 pm, but the headlines in the San Diego Tribune stated the game would start at 5:30 pm due to TV schedule change.
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Cleveland Browns (Originally an NFC Team)
Birth Name: Cleveland Browns First Season: Original 1946; New Birth First Preseason Game; Original Aug 30, 1946, 2:00 PM EST, Akron, OH 41N05 00 081W31 00 New Preseason Game: First Conference Game: Original Sept. 6, 1946, 8:00 pm EST, Cleveland, OH 41N30 00 081W42 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 11 Virgo 16; Mars/Neptune 12 Libra 51; Saturn/Neptune 05 Virgo 52 308
New Conference Game: Sept. 12, 1999, 8:20 pm EDT, Cleveland, OH 41N29 58 081W41 44 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 26 Aquarius 46; Mars/Neptune 04 Capricorn 11; Saturn/Neptune 24 Pisces 26
Paul Brown was the first coach for Cleveland. Previously, Brown had been successful coaching at the high school level, at Ohio State University, and at Great Lakes Naval Training Station during War World II. A $1000 prize contest to give Cleveland its nickname was launched by Owner Arthur (Mickey) McBride. Several suggested the “Panthers” but Paul Brown rejected that name since there had been a 1920's Panther team that failed in Cleveland. The majority of the entrants wanted to name the team the “Browns” in recognition of its head coach. Brown initially turned that name down but eventually gave in. The Cleveland Browns is the only pro football team named after its coach. On June 4, 1944, the first organizational meeting was called at St. Louis, Missouri by Arch Ward, who founded the All-American Football Conference with teams in Buffalo, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Cleveland. Only San Francisco and Cleveland made their way to the NFL. 98
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New Cleveland Browns
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Otto Graham December 6, 1921, 1:50 am CST Waukegan, Illinois, 40N21’49 087W50’41 99
Highlights of Otto Graham as described in Cleveland’s history present him as cool, calm, and collected as he raised the Browns’ stature until they dominated the pro football ranks. He was as versatile as they come and next to impossible for the opposing team to read. He could scramble, throw with pinpoint accuracy both long and short, and come up with needed yardage on crucial plays. For 10 consecutive seasons, his team won their division title
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and played for the championship. Indisputably, Otto Graham was one of pro-football’s greatest quarterbacks. Astrologically what does Otto Graham have that places him up there with the greatest quarterbacks? Mercury at 2 Sagittarius square Uranus at 5 Pisces gave him the brilliant computer mind I find in the great quarterbacks. Saturn (6 Libra) is in same sign as Mars (18 Libra); they are 12 degrees apart and not considered a conjunction though they are each conjunct Graham’s Ascendant. His poise came from that Libra Ascendant where he took the responsibility from behind the scenes (Saturn 12th ) and was aggressive like an Aries (Mars in the 1st). His Sun at 13 Sagittarius trine Neptune at 15 Leo gave him the competitive fire throughout his body blended with the ability to intuitively project his notorious defense-confusing audibles. It’s interesting to note through comparing his chart to the Browns’ chart, they shared the same Mars - 18 Libra; his Sagittarius Sun squared the Browns’ Virgo Sun and his Moon at 00 Pisces trined the Browns’ Venus at 00 Scorpio. His Sun was able to fire the team up. With his Mars the same as the team’s, he moved on the same competitive level and intuitively knew how to build the team’s self-worth and turn them into champions year after year. Arch Ward, Arthur (Mickey) McBride and five other prospective club owners held a secret meeting at a St. Louis hotel on June 4, 1944, and thrashed out plans for the All American Conference. Formal announcement of the formation of the new league was made in Chicago on September 3, 1944. The Cleveland franchise was awarded to McBride. When McBride told Ward he would put in his
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sizable bankroll behind a team in Cleveland, he stated, “but I’ve got to have the best coach and best players in the country.” He walked into the sports department of the Cleveland Plain Dealer one night and asked John Dietrich, the veteran and respected football writer for the morning paper, “Who’s the best football coach in the country?” Detrich didn’t even stop to think. “Paul Brown,” he answered. Brown having won the national collegiate football championship in his second year at Ohio State, was already a big name in coaching circles. McBride promised Brown $1,000 a month until the end of the war and $20,000 a season, plus 15 percent of the profits once Brown came aboard full time. The first player signed was then tailback Otto Graham. The Browns won the Western Title with a 42-17 victory over the Buffalo Bisons and then defeated the New York Yankees in the champion game 14-9. The Browns continued their domination of the AAFC, winning three more championships, 1946-1949. Following the merger of the AAFC and the NFL, 1950, the Browns tied with the New York Giants with a 10-2 record and a share of the Eastern title. The Browns won playoff, 8-3, and then stopped Los Angeles 30-28 for the championship. From 1951-53, the Browns won three consecutive Eastern titles, but lost each time in the league’s title match, once to Los Angeles and twice to Detroit. In 1953, McBride sold the club to an organization headed by David Jones. Led by quarterback Otto Graham, 1954-55, the Browns won back-to-back NFL championships, defeating Detroit and Los Angeles. 313
Week 10, in 1995, one week after owner Art Modell announced his intention of moving the Browns to Baltimore by the start of the 1996 season, the Browns played terribly, losing a Monday night game to Pittsburgh 20-3. Their final game as the old Browns December 17, 1995 where they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-10. The passionate exchange of affection between players and fans that followed might never be matched at the professional level. It was a hugfest, a final emotional bonding that would never be forgotten in Cleveland. 100 On March 23, 1998, the “Dawg Pound” received a new franchise and came back. Cleveland returned from the ashes as the NFL clubs unanimously approved an expansion team for Cleveland to fulfill the commitment to return the Browns to the field in 1999. They called it a rebirth. The original Bowns’ history, heros, and records all remain property of Cleveland, from their beginning through 1995 season. They began with a new franchise in 1998 and a new birth chart, September 12, 1999, as the New Cleveland Browns. The fans were heart-broken and did not want the team to leave. Fifty years of history had ended. But that’s not the end of the story. The city and jilted fans demanded that all the history, name, colors, stats remain in Cleveland. Cleveland did without football for three years. The Cleveland fans felt violated on November 25, 1996 when a wrecking ball pounded Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The city lost a piece of its soul. Then a new beginning started as construction began on yet another stadium. The NFL officials made two promises, that a new Browns team,replacing the one that had been spirited off to Baltimore by Art Modell after the 1995 season would begin playing by 1999 and that the original Browns’ history would remain as property of Cleveland. The physical bodies of the 314
old Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Ravens, a new franchise and new entity. The Browns passion was stoked by seven AAFC and NFL championships in the franchise’s first 10 years. On September 8, 1998 the NFL awarded Al Lerner an expansion franchise. The original Browns were constructed in the image of Paul Brown. The new Browns will carry the stamp of Carmen Policy.101 Carmen Policy made history in San Francisco as he built the San Francisco 49ers into their glory years of the eighties. They feel he will build the new Browns to that level of excellence now. The 2002 NFL season saw the New Cleveland Browns team in the Wild-Card Playoffs for the first time, January 5, 2003, 1:00 pm EST, at Pittsburgh, PA. The Browns almost pulled off an upset as the clock ran out at the end of the game with the score 36-33. The Browns receiver caught the ball and tried to run out of bounds to stop the clock so the Browns could either score or kick a field goal to send the game into overtime, but the time ran out just before he could hit the side lines and the Browns lost. I was asked in last year’s Super Bowl run whether the Baltimore Ravens were going to the Super Bowl with planets activated in their new Ravens’ team chart or was it really the Old Cleveland Browns going to the Super Bowl to win? Interesting enough, the new Baltimore Ravens’ chart was the one activated not the old Cleveland Brown chart. Now we wait to watch as the New Browns and quarterback Tim Couch grow, mature and return as champions the fans cherished. 2001 showed a quick improved Cleveland team, and didn’t Cleveland beat Baltimore every time they played their first year? This rivalry will be there forever. Art Modell will never be 315
forgiven but, perhaps time will heal the heart of the loyal Browns’ fans.
Denver Broncos
Birth Name: Denver Broncos First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: August 5, 1960, 1:30 pm EDT, Providence, RI 41N49 00 071W24 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 9, 1960, 7:55 pm EDT, Boston, MA 42N22 00 071W04 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 02 Aries 55; Mars/Neptune 00 Virgo 33; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 29 TWIN: New England Patriots 316
Super Bowl XXXII - Jan 25, 1998 - Denver Broncos 31 Green Bay Packers 24 Super Bowl XXXIII - Jan 31, 1999 - Denver Broncos 34 Atlanta Falcons 19 In Super Bowl XII - Lost to Dallas, 27-10 In Super Bowl XXI - Lost to NY Giants, 39-20 In Super Bowl XXII - Lost to Washington, 42-10 In Super Bowl XXIV - Lost to San Francisco, 55-10Denver Broncos/New England Patriots - Twins
Bob Howsam, as Denver’s principal owner, was named a charter member at the first American Football League meeting held in Chicago on August 14, 1959. Other charter teams were New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Houston. On September 9, 1960, in Boston, the Denver Broncos became the first AFL victor by defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10 in the first AFL game. Denver lost four Super Bowls: 1977 (Super Bowl XII) with Coach Red Miller; 1986 (Super Bowl XXI), 1987 (Super Bowl XXII), and 1989 (Super Bowl XXIV) with Coach Dan Reeves; before finally winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998 (Super Bowl XXXII ) and 1999 (Super Bowl XXXIII) with Coach Michael Shanahan. Shanahan’s success was partially due to his establishing a solid game plan the week before the Super Bowl. Thus, he faced the media blitz with a team prepared and confident. Coach Dan Reeves did not put his game plan in place until his team arrived amidst the media blitz of Super Bowl week. Shanahan also had quarterback John Elway, who by this time had a strong, supportive offense and defense. (John Elway Chart - June 28, 1960, 11:45 am PST, Port Angeles, WA 58N07 09 123W25 46 Source Time: Unknown source on the Internet quotes BC; RR=A) 317
In less than four months, we have seen three of the greatest sportsmen of all time retire: basketball legend Michael Jordan; the ‘greatest ever’ to play professional hockey – Wayne Gretzky; and last, but definitely not least, the super football quarterback, John Elway. With TV Commemorating both Michael’s and Wayne’s retirements, we become aware of a quiet paragraph or two on John, just as the Littleton, Colorado massacre overshadows his retirement as the only quarterback to retire from football after winning the Super Bowl.102
John Elway
Many football fans will look back at 16 years with pride and tell people that they saw John Elway play. He will always 318
be associated with the Denver Broncos and although he never abandoned the city it turned on him several times, when the going got tough. BUT finally after those embarrassing setbacks on Super Bowl Sundays, as he retires with not one but two Super Bowls rings, he is the first quarterback to walk away from the game after winning a Super Bowl. Could he have won three Super Bowls in a row? We’ll never know, but will probably always wonder. After having been named the MVP in the Super Bowl XXXIII championship against the Atlanta Falcons, he will someday join the other greats in the Hall of Fame. He’s won more games as quarterback than any other single-caller in NFL history. He’s racked up more yards passing and running, 51,475, than any other quarterback except Dan Marino. He is the only player to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 200 yards in seven consecutive seasons. He had 300 TD passes, 559 sacks in 256 games, and let’s not forget those 47 comeback-to-win games. And finally, he went to nine Pro Bowls and is the only quarterback ever to start in five Super Bowl Games. For his last game, he had a grand Fire trine operating in his chart, with game Jupiter square his natal Jupiter, highlighting his enthusiasm as well as his continued zest for the game. His 28 Leo Moon trined his natal Jupiter at 27 Sagittarius and was also trine game Saturn at 27 Aries. What great flowing aspects for this great quarterback’s denouement. The fact that game Jupiter at 27 Pisces squared his Jupiter at 27 Sagittarius added some zest and challenge. What a way to go out on top!
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Houston Oilers - Tennessee Oilers - Tennessee Titans
Birth Name: Houston Oilers First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: August 6, 1960, 7:00 pm CST, Tulsa, OK 36N10 00 095W55 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 11, 1960, 1:30 pm PDT, San Francisco, CA 37N47 00 122W25 00 103 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 ARIES 25; Mars/Neptune 01Virgo 05; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 30 TWIN: Oakland Raiders In Super Bowl XXXIV - Lost to St. Louis Rams, 23-16 320
K. S. (Bud) Adams, Jr, owned Houston’s first professional football team, one of the original six teams of the American Football League. Adams selected the team name “Oilers” for sentimental and social reasons as he was an oilman and Texas an oil state. Lou Rymkus was named the first head coach. George Blanda came out of retirement to play quarterback for the Oilers. The Oilers lost its first preseason game 27-10 to the Dallas Texans but won its first home preseason opener over Denver 42-3 at Jeppesen Stadium. The Oilers finished their first season 10-4 and clinched the AFL’s Eastern Division title. They won the first AFL Championship, 24-16, over the Los Angeles Chargers January 1, 1961. They won the second AFL Championship, 10-3, over the San Diego Chargers December 24, 1961. Houston did not clinch that title again until the team had moved to Tennessee and become the Titans, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars, 33-14, to win the AFC Championship, January 23, 1999. They played in 2000’s Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, but lost to the St. Louis Rams, 23-16, just one yard short of a score that would have sent them into overtime. The Titans returned to the 2002 post season playoffs but were defeated by their astro twin Oakland Raiders 41-24 in the AFC Championship game, January 19, 2003.
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New Houston Texans (New AFC Team 2002)
Birth Name: Houston Texans First Season: 2002 First Preseason Game: August 5, 2002, 8:00 pm EDT, Canton, OH vs. NYGiants First Conference Game: September 8, 2002, 7:30 pm CDT, Houston, TX 32N31 093W44 - Beat Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in their debut. First Conference Game: September 8, 2002, 7:30 pm CDT, Houston, TX 32N31 093W44 Actual Kick-off 7:41 pm 104 322
Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 02 Leo 24; Mars/Neptune 22 Scorpio 39; Saturn/Neptune 18 Aries 23
The new NFL franchise debut was against the Dallas Cowboys, September 8, 2002 at 7:30 pm CDT in Houston, Texas. It is only fitting that we have a “Texas Shoot Out” to birth this team. Sports analysis stated in the Dallas Morning News that the Texans are starting with a drafted team that is better on paper and probably could beat the current Dallas Cowboys. Only at the end of this game will we know whether that fact was true. The Texans have 15Pisces38 on their 1st house, ruled by Jupiter at 8Leo 06. Jupiter located in their 5th house, (their game plan) is opposite Neptune at 8Aquarius38Rx, located in their 11th house, (their opponents’ game plan.) A Pisces 1st house gives them a bit of mystery and charm, however, Pisces can be over-sensitive and somewhat “mushy.” Jupiter in Leo in the fifth may over-dramatize their game plans while that Neptune opposition could deplete all that “showtime.” In eight years, their Venus at 00Scorpio43 will move to form an exact fixed T-square probably indicating a big year where all their efforts up to this point pay off in the playoffs. In regular people astrology, Jupiter/Venus is a time when one falls in love, improves their self-worth and makes more money. Venus/Neptune can indicate similar possibilities, however (false – not there – credit cards cash rather than liquid cash) with Neptune, what you get may not be what you thought you had. In any event, years seven through nine should prove to be a time when possibly the Texans could become the Cinderella new American team. In two years, Pluto in Sagittarius moves to an exact square to their birth Sun in Virgo. Pluto/Sun can indicate 323
changes and total transformation of the team from how we saw them start out. This could indicate changes in personnel or a new coach. In three years, the Texans’ Mercury will move to an exact sextile to Pluto and could indicate a change in their starting quarterback. With Mercury conjunct Moon in Libra, their quarterback will be a real general on the field, somewhat emotional but fair and very intense, optimistic and powerful with Mercury sextile Pluto. In six years, the Texans could have a great running back asking for the big bucks with Venus moving to an exact sextile to Mars. We are painting a possible picture here. New Coach in two years, new quarterback in three and great running back in six – the stage is set for years 7 – 8 – 9 -- for the Texans to be in the playoffs. As the Houston Texans evolve, we can watch these points and see what really happens. Of course, I had to take a sneak preview of where the Super Bowl planets are for 2008, 2010, and 2011. In Super Bowl 2008, (five years old) Houston could have a Mercury/Uranus and double Saturn/Mars conjunction that would indicate extreme control of the offense under pressure and a brilliant quarterback. In 2010 (year 7) and 2011 (year 8), Saturn moves to Libra adding discipline, focus and strength to their quarterback and the emotional stability of the team. If you watched the first game and took notes you heard the sports announcers repeat key points in this new NFL birth chart. You may have heard “upset” with Sun square Pluto; “emotionally intense quarterback” on the visiting team as Mercury ruled the Cowboys in this opening game and sextiled Pluto; “low scoring game” as Saturn was conjunct the 4th house cusp, affecting the visiting team’s ability to score. TheCowboys have 17Virgo30 on the 7th house, ruled by Mercury at 11 Libra 39. Houston Texans won their debut 1910. 324
Baltimore Colts - Indianapolis Colts
Birth Name: Baltimore Colts First Season: 1953 First Preseason Game: August 15, 1952, 2:00 pm EST, Norfolk, VA 36N51 00 076W17 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 27, 1953, 2:05 pm EST, Baltimore, MD 39N17 00 076W37 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 02 Libra 38; Mars/Neptune 00 Libra 34; Saturn/Neptune 24 Libra 58 Super Bowl V - Baltimore Colts 16 - Dallas Cowboys 13 In Super Bowl III - Lost to New York Jets, 16-7 325
On December 28, 1946, Baltimore was awarded the bankrupt Miami Seahawks franchise of All-American Football Conference. Bob Rodenberg headed the purchasing group and the team was renamed Colts via a fan contest. On September 7, 1947, the Colts won their inaugural AAFC game, defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers 16-7 before 27,418 fans at Baltimore Stadium. On December 9, 1949, the National Football League and AAFC reached a “peach” agreement and Colts enter NFL for 1950 season. On December 10, 1950, the Colts concluded their 1-11 season with a 15-14 defeat to the Yanks at Yankee Stadium. Yanks will later become the Baltimore Colts. On January 18, 1951, Watner withdrew the franchise and was paid $50,000 for players by NFL. On December 3, 1952, Commissioner Bert Bell, while addressing the Advertising Club, issued a challenge to Baltimore to sell 15,000 season tickets in six weeks to re-enter NFL. On December 8, 1952, the ticket drive officially began with the quota reached in four weeks and three days. On January 11, 1953, Carroll Rosenbloom, with 52 per cent control led the ownership group including William F. Hilgenberg, Zanvyl Krieger, Thomas Mullas, Sr., and R. Bruce Livie. On January 23, 1953, Baltimore was awarded Dallas Texas franchise. Don Kellett was named president and general manager and Keith Molesworth, head coach. On September 27, 1953, the Colts upset the Chicago Bears 13-9 in an NFL opener at Memorial Stadium before 23,715 fans. On August 26, 1983, the Colts selected Stanford QB John Elway as their first pick in the 1983 NFL draft. Elway refused to go to Baltimore. On May 2, 1983, Elway was traded to Denver in exchange for the Broncos’ 1983 number one draft choice, OT Chris Hinton, and QB Mark Herrmann as well as Denver’s first round selection in the 1984 NFL draft. On March 28, 1984, the Colts relocated to Indianapolis. 105 326
Jacksonville Jaguars
Birth Name: Jacksonville Jaguars First Season: 1995 First Preseason Game: July 29, 1995, 2:30 pm EDT, Canton, OH 40N48 00 081W23 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 3, 1995, 1:00 pm EDT, Jacksonville, FL 30N20 00 081W39 00 106 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 09 Capricorn 54; Mars/Neptune 10 Sagittarius 20; Saturn/Neptune 22 Aquarius 36
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Jaguars’ First Conference Game – The Houston Oilers are having trouble with the Astrodome floor being uneven and the astroturf coming up in different places that could injure the players. The game with Jacksonville was not cancelled like the San Diego/Houston preseason game scheduled for August 19, 1995. Game Analysis – Considering the Jaguars - Oilers game, Mars and Pluto rules the first house of the game chart for the Jaguars. Mars at 27 Libra is past the square to Uranus at 26 Capricorn, but Mars is applying to the Moon at 28 Sagittarius during the game. The Sun at 10 Virgo is applying to Venus at 14 Virgo, but Venus is past any applying aspect to other planets and does not look favorable for the visiting team. The Jaguars’ Moon at 27 Gemini opposes the game Moon at 28 Sagittarius. Their Sun at 08 Sagittarius sextiles the game Mercury at 07 Libra. Their Mars at 15 Sagittarius squares the game Venus at 14 Virgo. Houston’s Moon at 07 Gemini trines the game Mercury at 07 Libra and opposes Jupiter at 07 Sagittarius. The Oilers’ Mercury at 29 Virgo sextiles the game Pluto at 28 Scorpio and squares the game Moon at 28 Sagittarius. Uranus at 23 Leo for Houston is quincunx the game Neptune at 23 Capricorn. Pluto at 06 Virgo squares the game Jupiter at 07 Sagittarius The Oilers spoiled the Jaguars debut with a 10-3 victory. The two new franchises both were in the NFC and AFC Championship games for the 1996 season. Jacksonville lost to New England 20-6 and Carolina lost to Green Bay 30-13.
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Dallas Texans - Kansas City Chiefs
Birth Name: Dallas Texans First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: July 31, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Oakland, CA 37N49 00 122W16 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 10, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Los Angeles, CA 34N04 00 118W15 00 107 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Aries 14; Mars/Neptune 00 Virgo 52; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 29 Super Bowl IV - Kansas City Chiefs 23 - Minnesota Vikings 7 329
In Super Bowl I - Lost to Green Bay Packers, 35-10 TWIN: San Diego Chargers
Lamar Hunt founded the American Football League. As Boston Patriots owner Billy Sullivan put it, “Before there was a player, coach, or general manager in the league, there was Lamar Hunt.” Without Hunt, there would not have been an American Football League. Hunt’s team began their inaugural season in the Cotton Bowl as the Dallas Texans. Their first conference game was September 10, 1960, played in Los Angeles, California against the Los Angeles Chargers. In 1963, the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, H. Roe Bartle, invited Hunt to move his team to Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium guaranteeing Hunt three times as many season tickets as he had sold at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Hunt especially liked the fact that the nearest pro football team would be 250 miles away. On May 14, 1963, Hunt announced he was moving his team to Kansas City and renaming them the “Chiefs .” Quarterback Lenny Dawson, cut from the NFL Cleveland Browns in 1962, became the star of the Texans in Dallas. He was the quarterback who took the Chiefs to the very first NFL – AFL Championship Game, later renamed Super Bowl I, in which the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chiefs 25-10. Dawson came back strong with MVP honors in Super Bowl VI where the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
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Miami Dolphins
Birth Name: Miami Dolphins First Season: 1966 First Preseason Game: August 6, 1966, 8:00 pm PDT, San Diego, CA 32N43 00 117W09 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 2, 1966, 8:00 pm EST, Miami, FL 25N47 00 080W11 00 108 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 01 Gemini 26; Mars/Neptune 27 Virgo 03; Saturn/Neptune 23 Capricorn 36 Super Bowl VII - Jan 14, 1973 - Miami Dolphins 14 Washington Redskins 7 331
Super Bowl VIII - Jan 13, 1974 - Miami Dolphins 24 Minnesota 7 In Super Bowl VI - Lost to Dallas, 24-3 In Super Bowl XVII - Lost to Washington, 27-17 In Super Bowl XIX - Lost to San Francisco, 38-16 109,110
On March 3, 1954, Joseph Robbie met with Joe Foss, the AFL Commissioner and his former undergraduate classmate at the University of South Dakota. Robbie was seeking an AFL expansion franchise for Philadelphia for a friend of his. Foss rejected the Philadelphia site because the Philadelphia Eagles had exclusive rights to Franklin Field and suggested instead that Robbie apply for an AFL franchise for Miami. He thought that the population growth in Miami and the warm climate could propel a new team there into being one of the best franchises in the league. Robbie enlisted entertainer Danny Thomas as a financial backing partner and on August 16, 1965, the first AFL expansion franchise was awarded to Robbie and Thomas for $7.5 million. Mrs. Robert Swanson won two lifetime game passes in a contest to pick the team nickname. Her suggested “Dolphins” was chosen from over 20,000 entries. George Wilson became the Dolphins first head coach. He coached the Dolphins from 1966-69. On February 18, 1970, a new Dolphins era began as Don Shula became head coach. He coached from 1970-1997 with a record of 274 wins, 147 losses and 2 ties and took the Dolphins to five Super Bowls. The Dolphins went to three straight Super Bowls from 1972-74, and won two out of three. They lost 1972 Super Bowl VI to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-3. On January 14, 1973, Miami defeated Washington 14-7 in Super Bowl VII at Los Angeles, completing a perfect 17-0 season, the first perfect regularseason and postseason mark in NFL history. Bob Griese 332
broke his right leg in October 1972 and was replaced by quarterback Earl Morrall but Griese came off the bench in the second half of the AFC Championship game December st 31 to spark a Dolphins win 21-17. The Dolphins went on from there to become the second team in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls. The Miami team was jolted by an announcement that Dolphins stars, Csonka, Kiick and Warfield had signed a $3.3 million deal to play for the Toronto Northmen in the World Football League a season away in 1975. The departure of those players weakened the Dolphins. David Woodley was the Dolphins quarterback in the Super Bowl XVII loss to Washington 27-17. The Dolphins led at the half 17-10, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on a day that was warm and sunny. The weather changed to cold and windy during the second half of the game. I was there with charts of both teams and quarterbacks in hand. I also had a charts set up for the expected end time of the game and kept telling my roommate and her Miami family that the outcome did not look good for their Dolphins. Dan Marion was the Dolphins quarterback in 1985 Super Bowl XIX, at Stanford Stadium, in Stanford, California. Marion was the Dolphins quarterback for 17 seasons and set many records in the NFL. But on that Sunday, he ran up against second time MVP winner Joe Montana, who that day was impossible to beat. On August 6, 1966, in San Diego, California, the Miami Dolphins lost their first preseason game to the San Diego Chargers 30-10.111 The Dolphins lost to the Oakland Raiders 23-14 at the Orange Bowl in their first regular season game.112 333
Boston Patriots - New England Patriots Birth Name: Boston Patriots First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: July 30, 1960, 8:05 pm EDT, Buffalo, NY 42N53 00 078W53 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 9, 1960, 7:55 pm EDT, Boston, MA 42N22 00 071W04 00 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 02 Aries 55; Mars/Neptune 00 Virgo 33; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 29 Super Bowl XXXVI – February 3, 2002 - New England 20 – St. Louis Rams 17 In Super Bowl XX – Lost to Chicago, 46-10 In Super Bowl XXXI - Lost to Green Bay Packers, 35-21 TWIN: Denver Broncos
On November 16, 1959, William H. Sullivan, Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the newly formed American Football League. Boston had tried three previous times before to have a professional football team in the American Football League: the Boston Bulldogs in 1926; Boston Shamrocks in 1936-37 and the Boston Bears in 1940. Boston had an NFL team, the Boston Braves, who played their first season at Braves Field in 1932. In 1933, when the Boston Braves said they would raise owner George Preston Marshall’s rent, Marshall moved the team to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. He could no longer keep the name Braves, but had Indian motif uniforms and logos, so he re-christened the team as the Redskins. Marshall was fonder of the nickname than the town so when he moved the team to Washington D.C., he kept the Indian name and the NFL team became the Washington Redskins. Again Boston was left without a professional football team.
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In 1944, Ted Collins, agent for super-singer Kate Smith, used his 10 percent agent earnings from her performances to field the Boston Yanks in pro football. He claimed he lost $800,000 in Boston and another $200,000 when he moved the team to New York for three seasons. He sold his team to Texas oilmen who kept it until the team fell apart in the middle of the 1952 season in Dallas. That team and its franchise players became the core players for the start of the Baltimore Colts. On January 11, 1953, the team was sold to to Carroll Rosenbloom, who with 52 percent control led the ownership group which included William F. Hilgenberg, Zanvyl Krieger, Thomas Mullas, Sr., and R. Bruce Livie. On January 23, 1953, Baltimore was awarded the Dallas Texas franchise. Boston was tired of teams coming and going. Sullivan tried on several occasions to acquire an NFL franchise but all his attempts fell through. He was an oil company executive at the time. Through family connections he learned that the Hampden-Harvard Brewery wanted to get into sports. The brewers were willing to build a domed stadium in downtown Boston. Sullivan thought a dome would do better in the suburbs. He approached the Red Sox as to the possibilities of a bigger dome in the suburbs for both a football team and the Red Sox to play. The Red Sox club’s president agreed to make the move but there was one condition – absolute secrecy until ground-breaking. Sullivan had an architect design and build a dome model costing $6000. When it was ready the brewery people wanted to show it off. After the news leaked, April 1, 1958, and landed on the Boston’s front page paper, the secret was out so the Red Sox deal fell through and his brewery people deserted him. On February 18, 1959, he was delayed catching a flight to New York to meet with New York Giants owner, 335
Jack Mara. When he telephoned to say his flight had been delayed, he found out that Mr. Mara had died the previous night. One of Sullivan’s best friends, Frank Leahy, former football coach at Notre Dame, introduced him to Bert Bell, Commissioner of the NFL. Bell was supportive of Sullivan’s plan to acquire a franchise, but the following October, Bell suffered a fatal heart attack in the final minutes of the Steeler-Eagle game at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field. Sullivan still did not give up. Leahy became the general manager of Barron Hilton’s Los Angeles Chargers. Sullivan learned from Leahy about the American Football League. Most of the new owners were wealthy or owned a stadium. Sullivan had $8000 in the bank. He felt he could borrow the difference to come up with the $25,000 franchise fee. He said he would find a place for the team to play. His friend Leahy did a good selling job to Lamar Hunt and his colleagues, insisting that Sullivan would run a good operation, was familiar with pro sports and knew everybody in the business. With the draft meeting less than a week away, Hunt called Sullivan and told him a check for twenty-five thousand dollars on deposit at Mercantile Trust Company in Dallas by the close of business the following day would guarantee that Sullivan was in the league. On November 16, 1959, Boston became a member of the new league. Through a public contest, the Patriots was chosen as the team’s nickname. The team colors are red, white and blue. Boston University Field was the Patriots first home. 113,114,115 Lou Saban was Boston’s first coach. A local newspaper held a contest to name the team. Seventy-four suggested “Patriots,” the eventual winning name. 336
Oakland Raiders - Los Angeles Raiders - Oakland Raiders Birth Name: Oakland Raiders First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: July 31, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Oakland, CA First Conference Game: Sept. 11, 1960, 1:30 pm PDT, San Francisco, CA 37N47 00 122W25 00 116 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Aries 25; Mars/Neptune 01 Virgo 05; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 30 Super Bowl XI - Jan 9, 1977 - Oakland Raiders 32 - Minnesota Vikings 14 Super Bowl XV - Jan 25, 1981 - Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 Super Bowl XVIII - Jan 22, 1984 - Los Angeles Raiders 38 Washington 9 In Super Bowl II - Lost to Green Bay Packers, 33-14
TWIN: Tennessee Titans Oakland Raiders
The Minnesota-St. Paul franchise originally applied to the AFL but withdrew the application and became an NFL franchise instead. Barron Hilton, owner of the Los Angeles Chargers, game the AFL an ultimatum. Unless they added another team to the West Coast, he would withdraw from the AFL. Oakland became the eighth and final team of the original AFL January 30, 1960. The franchise was owned by an eight man syndicate headed by Y. C. (Chet) Soda and Ed McGah, Robert Osborne, and Wayne Valley. “Raiders” was the name finally chosen for the team. Kezar Stadium, also used by the San Francisco 49ers, was the Raiders’ first home. The Raiders lost to the Houston Oilers 37-22 in their first game and finished their first season winning 6 and losing 8. 337
In 1961, they moved to Candlestick Park in San Francisco. McGah, Osborne and Valley bought out the others. Later Osborne sold his interest in the team. Valley told Oakland to either build a stadium or the team would move. Frank Youell Field, a high school facility, was designated for the Raiders. In 1963, San Diego Chargers assistant coach Al Davis accepted a three-year contract as head coach and general manager of the Raiders. He requested enough time and money to build the Raiders into a professional football team. On December 31, 1967, the Raiders defeated the Houston Oilers 40-7 to win their first AFL Championship game and the right to meet Green Bay in Super Bowl II where the Packers won 33-14. Oakland has won three Super Bowls: 1977 Super Bowl XI, over Minnesota Vikings 32-14 and under quarterback Ken Stabler; 1981 Super Bowl XV, over the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 and under quarterback Jim Plunkett, and 1984 Super Bowl XVIII as the LA Raiders with quarterback Jim Plunkett over Washington Redskins 38-9. The Raider participation in the 2001 playoffs ended with a call that Al Davis still calls a fumble that put New England Patriots playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game and later in Super Bowl XXXVI not the Raiders. Al Davis/Oakland Raiders are synonymous terms. In the 2002 post season the Oakland Raiders defeated the Tennessee Titans 41-24 in the AFC Championship Game, January 19, 2003, sending them to San Diego, California for Super Bowl XXXVII. On January 26,2003,the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, CA.
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Pittsburgh Pirates - Pittsburgh Steelers
Birth Name: Pittsburgh Pirates First Season: 1933 First Preseason Game: Sept. 13, 1933, 2:00 pm EST, Pittsburgh, PA 40N26 00 080W01 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 20, 1933, 7:00 pm EDT, Pittsburgh, PA 40N26 00 080W01 00 117 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 28 Sagittarius 38; Mars/Neptune 13 Libra 50; Saturn/Neptune 25 Scorpio 23 Super Bowl IX - Jan 12, 1975 - Pittsburgh Steelers 16 Minnesota Vikings 6
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Super Bowl X - Jan 18, 1976 - Pittsburgh Steelers 21 - Dallas 17 Super Bowl XIII - Jan 21, 1979 - Pittsburgh Steelers 35 - Dallas 31 Super Bowl XXIV - Jan 25, 1980 - Pittsburgh Steelers 31 - Los Angeles Rams 19 In Super Bowl XXX - Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 27-17
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL and were founded July 8, 1933, by Arthur Joseph Rooney. Rooney named his team the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the club struggled through its first seven seasons with five different head coaches and just 22 wins. The pro football Hall of Fame records the Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers opener as September 20, 1933, at Forbes Field, 7:00 pm EDT at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They lost to the New York Giants 23-2. Rooney merged his Steelers with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943 (Phil-Pitt “Steagles”) and with the Chicago Cardinals (Card-Pitt) in 1944. In 1969 the Steelers finished with a record of 1-13. This record gave the Steelers the overall choice in the 1970 draft. Coach Chuck Noll selected quarterback Terry Bradshaw after the Steelers gained the first selection by winning a coin toss with the Chicago Bears. The Steelers won their first division title in 1972. In their first playoff game at Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers defeated the Oakland Raiders 13-7. This is the game about which we hear the story year after year of how Terry Bradshaw threw a “Hail Mary” toward the end zone, was
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knocked down, and gave birth to Franco Harris’s “Immaculate Reception” in the final minutes of the game.118 Terry Bradshaw – Pittsburgh Steelers – Super Bowl XIII, XIV, X, IX
Top 1970 draft choice Terry Bradshaw did little for Pittsburgh his rookie year but lead the league in interceptions. For the next four seasons he excelled at benchwarming. But in 1975, the top Steeler quarterbacks, Terry Hanratty and Joe Gilliam, were injured and Bradshaw got a second chance to shine. His first visit to the Super Bowl in 1995 came because he survived a rash of injuries. By Super Bowl 1996, he had earned the job and in Super Bowls 1978 1979, he starred. In 1996 appearance Bradshaw was awarded both Super Bowl MVP and MVP for the whole season, an NFL first. George Allen said, “The knock on Bradshaw was that he wasn’t supposed to be smart, but I’d guess he has a lot of what the big-city guys call “street smarts,” and he sure has had an instinct for doing the right thing and throwing to the right receiver on the football field. He plays smart, and that’s all that matter to me.”119 Bradshaw had the quarterback astrological magic. Mercury at 28 Virgo square Uranus 00 Cancer and Saturn at 27 Leo sextile Mars at 29 Libra. His 29 degree Leo Moon conjunct the Royal Star Regulus says that he wants to be a star and we still see that push for the limelight every Sunday morning when he previews and analyzes the results of the NFL games. There are now thirty-two NFL teams with their new beginnings, history, and championships. Each team builds a 341
legacy and stories that last a lifetime and beyond. One of my favorite is Terry Bradshaw’s Immaculate Reception to Franco Harris and his “Steel Curtain” that won four Super Bowls against Minnesota in 1975, against Dallas in 1976 and 1979 and against Los Angeles in 1980. I’ve always been fascinated by the saying that “When the team chemistry is there, teams win championships!” What did these great quarterbacks have in common astrologically? The “Steel Curtain” is another legend from those Super Bowls won in the ’70’s. The Pittsburgh Steelers were named “Team of the Decade” for the 1970’s as they became the first NFL team in history to win four Super Bowls and the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice. 120
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Los Angeles Chargers - San Diego Chargers
Birth Name: Los Angeles Chargers First Season: 1960 First Preseason Game: August 6, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Los Angeles, CA 34N04 00 118W15 00 First Conference Game: Sept. 10, 1960, 8:00 pm PDT, Los Angeles, CA 34N04 00 118W15 00 121 Loss Points: Mars/Saturn 03 Aries 13; Mars/Neptune 00 Virgo 52; Saturn/Neptune 09 Sagittarius 29 In Super Bowl XXIX - Lost to San Francisco, 49-26
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The Los Angeles Chargers, headed by owner Barron Hilton was among the original six teams of the American Football League formed on August 14, 1959. On March 20, 1960, Hilton unveiled the Chargers uniforms: blue and goldwith lightning bolts on the sides of the helmets and trousers. The Chargers were the host team to their astro twin, the Kansas City Chiefs. In the game chart, the Chargers were the st 1 house in Aries, ruled by Mars at 24 Gemini opposite Jupiter with both planets square Mercury and forming a Tsquare. T-squares are always stronger than just two squares, and with Mercury being the focus of this T-square, energy is added to San Diego’s ability to always field a strong quarterback. Quarterbacks the Chargers acquired at the end of their famous careers include Johnny Unitas and Doug Flutie. Unitas was the first quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. Charger quarterback Dan Fout’s number 14 jersey was retired November 27, 1988, after a 15-year career during which he set seven NFL records, 42 club records, and became the NFL’s second most-prolific passer of all time with 43,040 yards of completed passes. He was inducted into the Charger’s Hall of Fame September 19, 1993. But what else goes on in their chart that gave the Chargers the strength to come back from a 20-7 deficit as happened in their September 10, 1960, league opener with the Dallas Texans? The Chargers’ stubborn Taurus, located in the game 2nd house, squared Mercu ry adding emotional stability and confidence to the team’s determination to win. The Moon was already Void of Course and separating from Mercury, yet the Taurus energy prevailed as it gave the quarterback the strength to bring his team back to victory. 344
The visiting team is the 7th house, Libra ruled by Venus in Libra square Saturn in Capricorn. Saturn squares usually are strong enough in a game for that team to win. But, when Saturn squares Venus, the energy sometimes becomes disappointment with the outcome of the game. Another point that hindered the Chiefs in the end was the fact that their ruler, Venus, and the game Sun were located in the game chart’s 6th house. The 6th house of the game chart is the 12th house for the visiting team. The energy of planet located in this placement is hidden and weakens the visiting team’s ability to win. The Chiefs lead the overall record against the Chargers, through the 2001 season, with 42 wins, 38 losses and 1 tie. The energy of the Moon and Saturn add another part of the picture in this game chart. Saturn rules the 10th house, San Diego’s ability to score. With Saturn square Venus, they are a team prepared to prove their worth and will work hard to score and win. On the other hand, the 4th house is the visiting team’s ability to score. The Moon, Void of Course, separating from a square to Mercury, weakens the visiting quarterback’s emotional stamina and ability to have the strength he needs to win no matter what. Maybe this is why Marty Schottenheimer could not win the big games at Kansas City. His quarterback gave out before the game was over. Does that mean he may have the change to win the big games in San Diego? Only time will tell but it is an interesting concept to watch while he is the coach there.
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SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SUPER BOWL GAMES 1967-2003 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Jan 15 Jan 14 Jan 12 Jan 11 Jan 17 Jan 16 Jan 14 Jan 13 Jan 12 Jan 18 Jan 9 Jan 15 Jan 21 Jan 20 Jan 25 Jan 24 Jan 30 Jan 22 Jan 20 Jan 26 Jan 25 Jan 31 Jan 22 Jan 28 Jan 27 Jan 26 Jan 31 Jan 30 Jan 29 Jan 28 Jan 26 Jan 25 Jan 31 Jan 30
Super Bowl I Super Bowl II Super Bowl III Super Bowl IV Super Bowl V Super Bowl VI Super Bowl VII Super Bowl VIII Super Bowl IX Super Bowl X Super Bowl XI Super Bowl XII Super Bowl XIII Super Bowl XIV Super Bowl XV Super Bowl XVI Super Bowl XVII Super Bowl XVIII Super Bowl XIX Super Bowl XX Super Bowl XXI Super Bowl XXII Super Bowl XXIII Super Bowl XXIV Super Bowl XXV Super Bowl XXVI Super Bowl XXVII Super Bowl XXVIII Super Bowl XXIX Super Bowl XXX Super Bowl XXXI Super Bowl XXXII Super Bowl XXXIII Super Bowl XXXIV
NFL NFL AFL AFL AFC NFC AFC AFC AFC AFC AFC NFC AFC AFC AFC NFC NFC AFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC NFC AFC AFC NFC 346
Green Bay 35 - Kansas City 10 Green Bay 33 - Oakland 14 New York Jets 16 - Baltimore 7 Kansas City 23 - Minnesota 7 Baltimore 16 - Dallas 13 Dallas 24 - Miami 3 Miami 14 - Washington 7 Miami 24 - Minnesota 7 Pittsburgh 16 - Minnesota 6 Pittsburgh 21 - Dallas 17 Oakland 32 - Minnesota 14 Dallas 27 - Denver 10 Pittsburgh 35 - Dallas 31 Pittsburgh 31 - Los Angeles Rams 19 Oakland 27 - Philadelphia 10 San Francisco 26 - Cincinnati 21 Washington 27 - Miami 17 Los Angeles Raiders 38 - Washington 9 San Francisco 39 - Miami 16 Chicago 46 - New England 10 New York Giants 39 - Denver 20 Washington 42 - Denver 10 San Francisco 20 - Cincinnati 16 San Francisco 55 - Denver 10 New York Giants 20 - Buffalo 19 Washington 37 - Buffalo 24 Dallas 52 - Buffalo 17 Dallas 30 - Buffalo 13 San Francisco 49 - San Diego 26 Dallas 27 - Pittsburgh 17 Green Bay 35 - New England 21 Denver 31 - Green Bay 24 Denver 34 - Atlanta 19 St. Louis 23 - Tennessee 16
2001 Jan 28 2002 Feb 3 2003 Jan 26
Super Bowl XXXV Super Bowl XXXVI Super Bowl XXXVII
AFC Baltimore 34 - New York Giants 7 AFC New England 20 –St. Louis Rams 17 NFC Tampa Bay48-Oakland 21
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About the Author Who is Rusty? Rusty Withers is a native Texan, sports nut, and operations manager with a marketing degree and an Aggie/Baylor marriage. Rusty is a serious scholar who started studying sports outcome patterns in 1973 and who has compiled statistical research and historical data on team sports since 1980. Rusty as an Los Angeles transplant frequented the Amateur Athletic Foundation Sports Library, the most comprehensive resource for sports information in the United States and possibly the western world. Rusty has focused primarily on American football since 1989 but has also completed research on the NBA, NHL, MLS, WNBA, and MLB. Rusty has posted predictions for NFL game outcomes on the internet since 1993. For eight years, Rusty worked with Genie Easy, founder of Astronet.com; they enjoyed using astrology to predict playoff outcomes, including the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA, March Madness, and the Stanley Cup. Rusty has consistently beaten the Vegas line with picks averaging 60-80% correct against the Vegas point spread (the Vegas average is 55%)! 348
Rusty formed Starball in 1996 to market Starball Picks online newsletter and a ground-breaking book on picking winners in American Football, plus fund the software development of CWSport (released Fall 1997) covering the NFL. A revised version of CWSport covering the NBA, NHL, and MLB is planned for a Fall 2004 release. Rusty welcomes comments and feedback c/o [email protected] To keep up with weekly NFL games, check Rusty's web site at http://www.posi-tone.com/starball.html
Rusty with her husband Steve Photo by Gary Sewell
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NOTES Chapter 5 Babe Ruth 1) http://www.GeorgeHermanRuth.com
Roger Maris 2) Roger Kahn. “Pursuit of No. 60: The Ordeal of Roger Maris.” Sports Illustrated. October 2, 1961 Mark McGwire 3) Sports Illustrated, September 14, 1998 4) Ibid. 5) Ibid. 6) Ibid. 7) Ibid.
Sammy Sosa 8) Joseph J. Vecchione. The New York Times Book of Sports Legends. ©1991. Roger Kahn. “Pursuit of No. 60: The Ordeal of Roger Maris.” Sports Illustrated. October 2, 1961 Barry Bonds 9) CNN Sports Illustrated. http:// www.cnnsi.com 10) Associated Press 11) www.cnnsi.com. December 26, 2001
How the Game of Baseball Came to Be 12) Joseph L. Reichler, Editor. The Baseball Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition/Revised and Expanded. Macmillan Publishing Co, Inc., New York ©1969, 1974, 1979, 1982 by Macmillan Co. Inc., New York, Collier Macmillan Publishers, London The National League 13) ibid. The American League 350
14) ibid. The History of Hockey 15) Zander Hollander and Hal Book. The Complete Encyclopedia of Hockey, Third Edition: Revised and Updated. An Associated Features Book, NAL Books, New American Library, Times Mirror, New York and Scarborough, Ontario ©1983 by Associated Features, Inc. 16) Ibid. American Basketball History 17) Zander Hollander. The NBA’s Official Encyclopedia of Pro Basketball. Forward by Lawrence F. O’Brien, Commissioner, National Basketball Association. An Associated Features Book NAL Books, New American Library, Times Mirror, New York and Scarborough, Ontario. ©1981 by Associated Features Inc. 18) Ibid. 19) Ibid. WNBA 20) Steve Lopez. “They Got Next.” Sports Illustrated. June 30, 1997. http://www.WNBA on NBC on the Internet on June 30, 1997, 358
21) Arnold J. Mandell, M.D. “Pro Football - Can Psychoanalysis Unlock the Winning Combination?” Saturday Review World - Fiftieth Anniversary Year. October 5, 1974 22) Michel Gauquelin. “Cosmic Influence on Human Behavior, the Planetary Factors in Personality.” in Geoffery Dean. Recent Advances in Natal Astrology. South Hampton, England: The Camelot Press.1977. Michel and Francoise Gauquelin. The Gauquelin Book of American Charts . 1982.
Chapter 7 Birth of NFL Franchises 23) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 24) NFL Record & Fact Book, 1994 and 2002 Dallas Cowboys 25) Charles Burton. News Staff Writer - Miami Beach, Fla. 351
“Dallas Lands NFL. Franchise.” Dallas Morning News. Dallas Texas. January 29, 1960 Section 2, Sports. 26) Miami Beach, Fla. “Ranger Officials Look Confidently to Future.” Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas. January 29, 1960, Section 2, Sports. New Orleans 27) (UP). “New Orleans to Field 16th NFL Team in ’67 - Rozelle’s Announcement Expected to Help Boost Legislation for New Domed Stadium - New Orleans.” Los Angeles Times Sports Business & Finance Section, CC Part III, November 2, 1966. Carolina Panthers 28) Cynthia Withers. Football: Feline Franchises - Welcome Team 29 Carolina Panthers Franchise. Aspects, Fall 1995, published by Aquarius Workshops, Inc., Encino, CA. ©1995.
Chapter 8 Birth of AFC Franchise Teams 29) Walter Robertson. “Music Stops and AFL Says It Won’t Dance.” Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, January 29, 1960, Section 2. Miami Dolphins 30) Miami (UPI). “Danny Thomas Group Buys AFL Franchise for Miami.” Los Angeles Times. August 17, 1965. Cincinnati Bengals 31) “AFL Franchise to Cincinnati, Paul Brown - Cincinnati.” Los Angeles Times. September 27, 1967. Jacksonville Jaguars 32) Cynthia Withers. “Football: Feline Franchises - Welcome Team 30 Jacksonville Jaguars Franchise. Aspects, Fall 1995, published by Aquarius Workshops, Inc., Encino, CA.. ©1995. 33) All stadium opening dates: NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002.
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Chapter 9 Arizona Cardinals 34) Arizona Cardinals 1994 Media Guide Atlanta Falcons 35) Atlanta Falcons 1994 Media Guide 36) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 37) Atlanta (UPI). “Falcons Lose by ‘Foot’ to Eagles.” Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1966. 38) Mal Florence, Times Staff Writer- Atlanta. “Falcons Cry U.N.C.L.E.” Los Angeles Times. Sports, Business & Finance, CC Part III, September 12, 1966. Carolina Panthers 39) Source: Carolina Panthers’ Office 40) Cynthia Withers. “Football: Feline Franchises - Welcome Team 29 Carolina Panthers Franchise.” Aspects. Fall 1995. published by Aquarius Workshops, Inc., Encino, CA. ©1995. Chicago Bears 41) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Walter Payton 42) Sports Illustrated 43) Los Angeles Times Dallas Cowboys 44) Dallas Cowboy 1960 Media Guide 45) Dallas Cowboy 1994 Media Guide 46) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. 47) Charles Burton, News Staff Writer - Miami Beach, Fla. “Dallas Lands NFL. Franchise.” Dallas Morning News, Dallas Texas. January 29, 1960 Section 2, Sports. 48) Miami Beach, Fla. “Ranger Officials Look Confidently to Future.” Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas. January 29, 1960. Section 2, Sports. Roger Staubach 49) George Allen and Ben Olan. Pro Football’s 100 Greatest. 1982. 353
Detroit Lions 50) Public Library, Portsmouth, Ohio. A History of Scioto County,Ohio. 1986. 51) 1994 Detroit Lions Media Guide. 52) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. 53) 1994 Detroit Lions Media Guide. Green Bay Packers 54) Carol B. Hopkins. “ Football - Mania.” Las Vegas, Nevada. Cosmobiology Journal, Denver. CO Minnesota Vikings 55) Minnesota Vikings 1994 Media Guide. 56) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 New Orleans Saints 57) Saints ‘94 Record & Fact Book 58) Mal Florence, Times Staff Writer. “Rams Struggle to 16-7 Win Over Saints Before 26,364.” Los Angeles Times. Sports, Business & Finance CC Part III, August 3, 1967. 59) Mal Florence, Times Staff Writer - New Orleans. “Rams Rate 11-Point Choice over Saints in NFL Opener.” Los Angeles Times. September 17, 1967. 60) Mal Florence, Times Staff Writer. “Rams Huff, Puff but Finally Win - Spirited Saints Give L.A. Rugged Battle before Losing Opener, 27-13.” “Rams Outlast Saints, 27-13.” Los Angeles Times. Sports, Business & Finance CC Part III, September 18, 1967. 61) (UP). “New Orleans to Field 16th NFL Team in ’67 - Rozelle’s Announcement Expected to Help Boost Legislation for New Domed Stadium - New Orleans.” Los Angeles Times. Sports Business & Finance Section, CC Part III, November 2, 1966. 62) Mal Florence, Times Staff Writer. “Saints Make NFL Debut Against Rams Tonight.” Los Angeles Times. Sports, Business & Finance CC Part III. November 2, 1966. 63) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977
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New York Giants 64) Giants 1994 Media Guide 65) Jim Terzian. The New York Giants Book. NFL Creative Services Book. 66) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Philadelphia Eagles 67) New York Times 68) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 69) 1994 Philadelphia Eagles Media Guide Saint Louis Rams 70) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 71) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. San Francisco 49ers 72) First Preseason Game: August 24, 1946, 8:15 pm PST, San Diego, CA 34N43 00 117W09. San Diego Union News, August 24, 1946. 73) First Conference Game: Sept. 8, 1946, 2:30 pm PST, San Francisco, CA 37N47 122W25 00. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco Chronicle. (given to author by phone and taken from microfiche) 74) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 75) Bruce Lee. “Forty-Niners Tumbled by NY Yankees, 21-7, The Defeat Was Complete.” San Francisco Chronicle. September 8, 1946. 76) 1994 San Francisco Media Guide Seattle Seahawks (Originally AFC Team) 77) Seattle Seahawks 1994 Media Guide 78) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 79) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. 80) - Seattle (UPI). “Hart, Cardinals Hold Off Late Seattle Charge.” Los Angeles Times. September 13, 1976. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81) 1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Media Guide 82) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 83) Houston (UPI). “Houston Makes McKay Loser in First Pro Game -Dan Pastorini fooled a surprisingly tough Tampa Bay defense.” Los Angeles Times. September 13, 1976. 355
84) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. Washington Redskins 85) First Conference Game: October 2, 1932, 2:30 pm EST, Boston, MA 42N22 00 071W04 00 86) Henry Scannell. Boston Public Library. Time of game. 87) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 88) Corinne Griffith. My Life with the Redskins. A.S. Barnes & Company, New York. 89) Bill Dismer, Jr. “Redskins, Victors in Great Pro Grid Debut Here, Show Keen Spirit After Big Victory, Look Good to Keep Eastern Championship in Win from Giants.” The Evening Star. Washington, D. C., September 17, 1937.
Chapter 10 Baltimore Ravens 90) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. Buffalo Bills 91) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 92) NFL Record & Fact Book, 2002. New York Jets 93) Lou Sahada. The Long Pass. The World Publishing Company, New York and Cleveland. Cincinnati Bengals 94) San Diego Tribune, headline states change of time of game due to TV schedule. 95) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 96) Cincinnati (UP). “Chiefs Spoil Bengals’ Debut.” Los Angeles Times. August 4, 1968. 97) Bob Oates, Staff Writer. “Forgotten Frazier Gets Chance, Stars in Chargers’ Win.” Los Angeles Times. Sports Business & Finance CC Part II, September 7, 1968. Cleveland Browns & New Cleveland Browns 98) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 99) Cleveland Browns, The Official Illustrated History, The Sporting News. (Spotlight: Otto Graham)
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100) Bill Levy. Return to Glory - The Story of the Cleveland Browns. The World Publishing Company - Cleveland - New York 101) Ron Brown. Cleveland Browns, The Official Illustrated History. The Sporting News. Denver Broncos/John Elway 102) Cynthia Withers. “Three Outstanding Athletes Retire.” Aspects, Summer 1999. Aquarius Workshops, Inc. Houston Oilers 103) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 104) http://www.NFL.com Indianapolis Colts 105) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Jacksonville Jaguars 106) Source: phone call to Jacksonville Jaguars Office Kansas City Chiefs 107) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Miami Dolphins 108) Los Angeles Times 109) The Official NFL Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 110) NFL 2002 Record & Fact Book 111) San Diego, (UP). “Miami No Match for Chargers.” Los Angeles Times. August 7, 1977. “Final Score: San Diego Chargers 38, Miami Dolphins 10.” 112) Miami (UP). “Thefts Help Raiders Win.” Los Angeles Times. September 3, 1966. New England Patriots 113) Larry Fox. The New England Patriots. 114) The Official Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 115) New England Patriots Media Guide
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Oakland Raiders 116) The Official Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Pittsburgh Steelers 117) Source Time: Time and New York Times 118) The Official Encyclopedia of Pro Football ©1977 Terry Bradshaw 119) George Allen and Ben Olan. Pro Football’s 100 Greatest. 1982. 120) 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide San Diego Chargers 121) Los Angeles Times
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