The pitching-rich Padres possess perhaps the Senior Circuit's best 1-2 punch in Jake Peavy (above) and Chris Young. AP

NL Cy Young

1. Jake Peavy, Padres. A threat to dominate every time out.

2. Chris Young, Padres. Tony La Russa must have anti-Ivy League bias to leave him off the original team. No way should the ERA leader (not to mention a 10-game winner) be left at home.

3. Brad Penny, Dodgers. Alyssa Milano's other boyfriends (Barry Zito, Carl Pavano) are in the tank. But this guy has come off the trading block to form the top of a great one-two punch with Derek Lowe (who prefers TV sports types).

Cole Hamels deserves special mention for a 3.72 ERA while pitching home games in Citizens Bank, a homer haven.

NL Cy Old

Kip Wells, Cardinals. Beats out World Series hero Anthony "0-10'' Reyes. Next time, St. Louis might want to spend more than loose change on free agency.

AL Rookie of the Year

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox. Starting to look like he could be in the Cy Young race, as well. Waiver pickup Jeremy Guthrie has been brilliant (2.74 ERA) but has the misfortune to need support from Baltimore's offense.

NL Rookie of the Year

Hunter Pence, Astros. Very exciting combination of speed, power and hunger. But Milwaukee's Ryan Braun is coming on.

AL Manager of the Year

1. Terry Francona, Red Sox. Manny Ramirez was late to spring training, David Ortiz and Ramirez don't have as many home runs combined as A-Rod, and Beckett and Curt Schilling have both missed time. Bravo.

2. Mike Scioscia, Angels. He might be the best manager in the game, even if us folks with the East Coast bias don't always notice.

3. Jim Leyland, Tigers. Despite the bullpen breakdowns, has his team primed for the playoffs. Mike Hargrove gets special mention in the "retired" division.

AL Maury Wills Award (Worst Manager)

Joe Torre, Yankees. Let me get this right: Mariano Rivera can't come into tie games but he can come in when they're down 5-1? Calling Don Zimmer.

NL Manager of the Year

1. Ned Yost, Brewers. Who else? The Brew Crew looks talented and hungry. See ya in October.

2. Bud Black, Padres. Disproving that axiom about pitching coaches making bad managers.

3. Grady Little, Dodgers. Good to move Nomar Garciaparra out of first base and out of the No. 3 hole. Unforgiven in Boston but underrated overall.

NL Bud Harrelson Award (Worst Manager)

Phil Garner, Astros. Both 2005 World Series managers have hit hard times. Sometimes that's about all the Astros are able to hit -- hard times.