baseball midseason awards

The weather here is quite warm. However, if we lived in California or Nevada, it would be close to 105 degrees and more unbearable.

Anyway, the All-Star break is upon us. Many baseball columnists give their awards. Here are mine.

AL MVP: Magglio Ordonez. No way should A-Rod get it, even with 60 homers. A-Rod cost Jeter the MVP last year. Because the midwest writers were so annoyed at having A-Rod and Papi shoved down their throats, they voted for an imperfect candidate, though a very good player and quite a slugger in Morneau.

AL Cy Young: My heart says Haren. My head says Beckett. 20 wins in Boston will tip him over the finish line.

AL Rookie: Daisuke Matzsuzaka will win it but I'll vote for Jeremy Guthrie of Baltimore just to go against the Northeast axis.

AL Manager: Francona, unless the Angels win 100. Can't give it to MacLaren, though Grover would have gotten some votes had he stayed the whole year.

NL MVP: Prince Fielder, though Utley may get a lot of votes if Philly can win the East.

NL Cy Young: Peavy.

NL Rookie: Pence. I might consider Josh Hamilton of Cincy.

NL Manager: Black of San Diego or Yost of Milwaukee.