We're not gonna make it, no no
We're not gonna make it
'Cuz we don't have the talent
And we don't have the time"
- "We're Not Going to Make It
by The Presidents of the United States of America

Okay, unless you've been -- well, let's not say "in a cave somewhere," even that has political undertones these days -- unaware, tomorrow the United States will begin the pre-recount, pre-lawsuit process of electing a new president. (Either way, presuming the popular vote matches the electoral result, it will be the first time elected for the victor.) And that brings us to the inevitable "Baseball Hall of Names" All-Presidential-Names team.

From (Claudell) Washington to (Guy) Bush, it's an interesting challenge; and if you ever wondered why U.S. presidents throw out the first pitch on Opening Day, keep an eye on the pitching staff that develops throughout this process. As for defense policy and (offensive) production jobs, this team might fall a little short. But there will be plenty of campaign promises of success in those areas.

To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable

The Internet Baseball Writers Association, of which several Batter's Box authors are members, have announced their first annual IBWA Awards. A bunch of us were involved in the voting. Details are posted over at all-baseball.com. Thanks to the IBWA's Christian Ruzich for handling the voting.

The Awards:

Players of the Year - Barry Bonds and Vladimir Guerrero
Pitchers of the Year - Randy Johnson and Johan Santana
Debuts of the Year - Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby
Managers of the Year - Bobby Cox and Buck Showalter
Executives of the Year - Walt Jocketty and Theo Epstein

Here is a place for all things AFL. Here's yesterday's Saguaro boxscore to get things rolling. It's a very pleasant sight to see Hill, Hattig and Big Vito in the heart of the batting order and doing so well. Rob tells us that the Saguaros' games on November 2 and 4 will be on internet radio courtesy of mlb.com.

Jorge Posada, Hall of Fame? I can see noses crinkling and eyebrows elevating across web-land. The short version of events is that after hitting .272/.400/.481 in 2004, he has compiled a little more than half a Hall of Fame career at age 32. One might think that time was liable to run out on him, but as he has caught only 955 games, he is basically where you want to be at his age.

The series continues with Mike Piazza. This year he had his second straight off-season hitting .262/.366/.442, while splitting his time between catching and playing first base. Still, at age 35, he has an impressive resume.

On the radio at the local bar
In the hot traffic
By the red tail lights

For now, I'll just say that. There is no such thing as a curse. It means nothing.

Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox, 2004 World Series Champions.

I picked her up by chance
She speaks to me
With ultra-high frequencies
Radio band of gold
Gonna listen til I grow old

Will they be celebrating in Boston tonight? It's Lowe vs. Marquis in tonight's tilt in St. Louis. Does anybody know who will be on Mike Wilner's pre-pre-game show?

This is the first in a series of profiles of players who are potential Hall of Famers. I will look briefly at their career history, how they compare at this stage in their career with other greats, and what to expect from them in the future. We’ll start with the catchers.

Shadows paintin' our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven's holdin' a half-moon
Shinin' just for us

Suppan vs. Martinez tonight at 8 in St. Louis. Anyone know who will be on Mike Wilner's show tonight?

It's been a rough start to the Series for the Cardinals, with 17 runs allowed in 2 games in Fenway. What is likely to happen when the Series moves to Busch Stadium, and the teams play without the DH?

We slept in and we need to run out the door right now if we're going to make a meeting on time. So today you get to make your own roundup. Enjoy!