Mid-Season Awards

The Red Sox are in first place in the AL East at the All-Star break for the fifth consecutive season, boasting the best record in the league at 54-34, three games ahead of the Yankees. The team's success has come without a great first half from their best slugger David Ortiz, without any contribution from their Cy Young candidate Daisuke Matsusaka, and with utility man Nick Green filling in for the injured Jed Lowrie the entire season thus far. So, how has the team been able to win despite these setbacks?

With the rest of the team performing at or near last year's levels, it has been the Jasons who have performed above expectations and helped offset the poor seasons of others. Jason Bay, replacing Manny Ramirez in Left Field, leads the league with 72 RBI and has 20 Home Runs with a .527 Slugging Pct, while 37 year old Catcher Jason Varitek has already equaled his 2008 productivity in the first half of this year with 13 Home Runs and 38 RBI. Other players, like Mike Lowell who has returned to form after his hip injury, Jacoby Ellsbury who already has 40 steals, and Nick Green who has filled in admirably at Short Stop, have helped the Red Sox remain dominant.

Three pitchers from the Red Sox were selected to the All-Star team, proving the pitching staff's importance to the team's success. Jonathan Papelbon has been the hammer at the end of the league's best bullpen, while ace Josh Beckett and the ageless Tim Wakefield are tied for the league lead with 11 Wins. With Daisuke Matsusaka injured for almost all of the first half, Justin Masterson filled in admirably for him while fifth starter Brad Penny returned to top-of-the-rotation form after an injury-filled 2008. With the emergence of Daniel Bard and the return of John Smoltz the first half ended well for the pitching staff.

Red Sox First Half Awards:
MVP: Tim Wakefield. The fourth starter leads the league with 11 Wins, and performed the best when the team needed him the most.
Pitcher of the Year: Josh Beckett. 11-3, 3.35 ERA, 110 Ks
Reliever of the Year: Jonathan Papelbon. 23 Saves, 1.85 ERA
Rookie of the Year: Daniel Bard. 2.55 ERA, 29 Ks
Player of the Year: Jason Bay. 20 Home Runs, 72 RBI

American League First Half Awards:
Surprise Team: Seattle Mariners. 46-42 (61-101 in 2008)
Surprise Player: Nelson Cruz, Tex. 22 Home Runs, 53 RBI, .539 Slugging Pct
Surprise Pitcher: David Aardsma, Sea. 20 Saves, 1.96 ERA
Most Improved Player: Kendry Morales, LA. 15 Home Runs, 49 RBI, .284 Avg, .528 Slg
Most Improved Pitcher: Scott Feldman, Tex. 8-2, 3.83
Comeback Player: Aaron Hill, Tor. 20 Home Runs, 60 RBI, .292 Avg
Comeback Pitcher: Carl Pavano, Cle. 8-7, 5.13
Rookie Player: Nolan Reimold, Bal. 9 Home Runs, 23 RBI
Rookie Pitcher: Ricky Romero, Tor. 7-3, 3.00 ERA
Player of the Year: Joe Mauer, Min. 15 Home Runs, .373 Avg*, .447 OBP*, .622 Slg*
Pitcher of the Year: Zack Greinke, KC. 10-5, 2.12 ERA*
Reliever of the Year: Joe Nathan, Min. 23 Saves, 1.31 ERA
Most Valuable Player: Torii Hunter, LA. 17 Home Runs, 65 RBI, .305 Avg, .558 Slg

National League First Half Awards:
Surprise Team: San Francisco Giants. 49-39 (72-90 in 2008)
Surprise Player: Pablo Sandoval, SF. 15 Home Runs, 55 RBI, .333 Avg, .578 Slg
Surprise Pitcher: Heath Bell, SD. 23 Saves*, 1.69 ERA
Most Improved Player: Michael Bourn, Hou. .286 Avg, .360 OBP, 32 Stolen Bases*
Most Improved Pitcher: Zach Duke, Pit. 8-8, 3.29 ERA
Comeback Player: Troy Tulowitzki, Col. 16 Home Runs, 37 RBI, .489 Slg
Comeback Pitcher: Cris Carpenter, StL. 7-3, 2.47 ERA
Rookie Player: Colby Rasmus, StL. 11 Home Runs, 34 RBI, .278 Avg
Rookie Pitcher: J.A. Happ, Phi. 6-0, 2.90 ERA
Player of the Year: Albert Pujols, StL. 32 Home Runs*, 87 RBI*, .332 Avg, .456 OBP*, .723 Slg*
Pitcher of the Year: Dan Haren, Ari. 9-5, 2.01 ERA*, 129 Ks
Reliever of the Year: Ryan Franklin, StL. 21 Saves, 0.79 ERA
Most Valuable Player: Albert Pujols, StL.