Big on Big. It’s a way of life for Mira Costa baseball coach Andy Diver.

“I’ve always had that battle cry for our guys since I coached at (L.A.) Harbor,” Diver said. “Any challenge, any time, any place, any opponent, any obstacle, it’s a mindset.”

For Diver, Big on Big also represents a lasting memory of his younger brother Bob.

“Baseball and family are probably the two biggest things in my life,” Diver said. “Family being No. 1.

“My first year at Redondo (2018), the week of our round one playoff game against Rio Mesa, I got a call from mom that my brother had suffered a massive stroke,” Diver said. “It turned out that it was a catastrophic stroke, probably caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment that he had as a teenager.

“He was diagnosed with cancer in seventh grade and came back and beat it. He had a brain tumor in eighth grade and beat that. He played both baseball and football at Loyola. He was living the last six years as a stroke victim. My parents cared for him daily. He lost the ability to speak, he lost the movement on his right side. It was a tragic happening for a man in his 40s. They took care of him on a daily basis and they took him to every game.”

Last April, Diver said his family started to notice changes in Bob and it was discovered that he had a “massive” brain tumor. In June, his younger brother died.

“It was devastating to lose him,” Diver said. “He was my younger brother, somebody that had been part of my life everyday that I’ve been around. We had a great dynamic and great relationship and it was really horrible to see him in that condition. It kind of changed perspective for me.

“Life is really, really short and special and appreciate what you have and make the most of it. At the end of the day, winning or losing a baseball game, or seeing your daughter’s room cleaned or not cleaned, in the big picture I guess it doesn’t matter as much.

“I took the Big on Big mantra, applying it to life and to our team and to my players, using Bob’s struggles and his life and courage as an inspiration. The first Big represents the challenge ahead of you and the second Big represents your mindset. You have a big test that day, adjust your mindset, go take that test. Or a big opponent, adjust your mindset. I think our players have had great buy-in to it. I know it’s how I live my life now.

“I have his name tattooed on my arm as a reminder everyday of him and his influence and his constant presence in my life. He’s also a product of my mom and dad, who are tough and loving. They’re my biggest fans and just feel very fortunate to carry his legacy on and do it through something that I love in coaching and being a dad myself. His presence is felt daily in the things that I do in my life”

Baseball and Family. It again came to Diver at his brother’s funeral.

“I’m giving his eulogy and there’s hundreds and hundreds of people, his friends, my friends and I look out and there’s 50 Mira Costa baseball family members and my players in their game day polos to support me and my family,” Diver said. “That speaks volumes to the community that I’m fortunate enough to teach and coach in and also they’re understanding to what he meant to me and my family.

“I think part of this season has to do with his magic. He’s been looking down on us. I have his initials written on the inside of my hat, during the game, at some point, I look at it and rub it and I ask him to keep an eye on our guys and keep them safe and maybe come through with a hit … It’s been a magical year, considering what we’ve gone through, in terms of losing him.”

Diver and the Mustangs begin the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs today. When it comes to Big on Big, the bracket is the biggest. Mira Costa, which went undefeated in the Bay League and has won 24 consecutive games, hosts Ivy League champion Arlington.

“We have 25 guys that really care about each other and love being around each other,” Diver said. “They get excited for each other’s success. We set three goals, one was to win the Bay League, the other was to get into the Division 1 playoffs and host a game in round one and the third one is to make a very deep CIF title run.

“These guys have done some things that are just unprecedented. Twenty-four games in a row, 12-0 in the Bay League, you’re bound to have a bad baseball game where the ball don’t bounce your way. But these guys have found a way to get it done. This group plays with a chip, they care about winning, winning is fun, they’re fun to coach, they’re tough and gritty and always rise to the challenge. And regardless of what happens Thursday, this group will go down as one of the greatest teams in Mira Costa baseball.”