Presenting my 2009 midseason awards (cont.)

AL Manager of the Year

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1. Cito Gaston, Blue Jays. Numerous injuries and a killer division.

2. Don Wakamatsu, Mariners. Did anyone expect Seattle to be hanging in this well?

3. Terry Francona, Red Sox. Good every year. Maybe the perfect personality to manage.

4. Ron Washington, Rangers. Hands up -- who expected Texas to be threatening like this?

5. Jim Leyland, Tigers. Earned an extension with his work so far this season. Joe Girardi and Mike Scioscia also doing fine jobs early.

Maury Wills Award (Worst Manager): Eric Wedge, Indians. Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. Just got the vote of confidence, as GM Mark Shapiro diplomatically blames himself more than Wedge.

NL Manager of the Year

1. Joe Torre, Dodgers. Enough with the quibbles about his use of the 'pen. Everything he has done and said has been golden.

2. Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins. He has the personality and patience to deal with a team of young, immature kids.

3. Tony La Russa, Cardinals. Their one-man lineup has "finally caught up to them,'' in the words of one AL executive. But they're still right there.

4. Ken Macha, Brewers. Even without CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets, and with Parra suffering through a rough stretch (one scout said he believes his high innings total from 2008 did him in), the Crew is again a threat.

5. Jim Tracy, Rockies. The turnaround was stark and complete. The Giants' Bruce Bochy also deserves mention.

Bud Harrelson Award (Worst Manager): Lou Piniella, Cubs. No team with Milton Bradley is cake to manage. But by any standard this Cubs season has been a disappointment.

AL Executive of the Year

1. Dave Dombrowski, Tigers. The trade of Matt Joyce for Edwin Jackson was maybe the best of the winter, and the drafting of Rick Porcello in 2007 was a coup. Adam Everett and Gerald Laird are working out, too.

2. Jon Daniels, Rangers. The switch of Elvis Andrus to shortstop was a gutsy move. Cheap, effective pickups like Darren O'Day have been key for a strapped team. They're set up nicely for the future, too, with more young talent than just about anyone (Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz, Julio Borbon and Justin Smoak head a long list).

3. Theo Epstein, Red Sox. Baseball's best front office rarely makes a misstep. The Bay trade worked as well as possible. Brad Penny has been useful. And I'd still bet on John Smoltz.

4. Brian Cashman, Yankees. Sure, he has the most money to spend. But beyond the necessary CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira signings, low-cost additions like Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cerrvelli have worked, too. The decision to keep Phil Hughes also looks a little better a year later.

5. J.P. Ricciardi, Blue Jays. He has assembled a very talented team but is undone by injuries and that division every year. Lots of good jobs in the AL: also Jack Zduriencik (Mariners) and Andrew Friedman (Rays).

Hawk Harrelson Award (AL Worst Executive): Mark Shapiro, Indians. Very bright guy, and two-time major league executive of the year. His Indians have gotten very unlucky. But let's face it, very little has worked. The bullpen has been an abomination, and the rotation isn't much better. The Kerry Wood contract, with two years at $20.5 million plus a third year if he closes 55 games this year and next, does not look good now.

NL Executive of the Year

1. Ned Colletti, Dodgers. Tough to argue with baseball's best team at $100 million (minus a few dollars saved when Manny Ramirez was suspended). A trying winter paid off ultimately. Lots of surprise contributors on the pitching staff (Belisario, Jeff Weaver) have helped.

2. Dan O'Dowd, Rockies. Some were calling for his head early. But this is one impressive hitting team. Plus, think about the fact that Huston Street alone would be worth more on the trade market than Matt Holliday. And that Tracy-for-Clint Hurdle move has worked wonders to this point.

3. Ruben Amaro, Phillies. The Ibanez deal alone merits his mention.

4. Michael Hill, Marlins. Year in and year out, the Hill-Larry Beinfest front office makes do on a puny payroll.

5. Brian Sabean, Giants. He has timed a good year very well, as his contract expires at year's end. Rebuilt 'pen with worthwhile pickups like Jeremy Affedlt.

Ed Wade Award (NL Worst Executive): Jim Bowden, formerly of the Nationals. His collection of outfielders who can't catch and pitchers not quite ready for prime time has left little doubt that he's the winner (or is it loser?). Word is the Nats higher-ups want to get so far away from Bowden that they don't want to consider GM candidates (or perhaps even managerial candidates) with any serious ties to him.