First-half Awards

NATIONAL LEAGUE

MVP Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs. He's kept injury-riddled Chicago in contention and has sparked talk of a Triple Crown (.388, 22 home runs, 64 RBIs at week's end).

CY YOUNG AWARD Roger Clemens, RHP, Astros. Among his amazing numbers: a 1.51 ERA, 17 earned runs (none on the road) in 15 starts, a .096 batting average against with runners in scoring position and a combined five extra-base hits allowed to the 1 through 4 hitters. The most amazing number of all: He turns 43 in August.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR Frank Robinson, Nationals. Why is a team that lost 95 games last year and has been outscored this year in first place? The manager is a good place to start. Robinson keeps the Nats playing hard every inning; his team has been great in one-run games (18--7) and has 26 come-from-behind wins.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Clint Barmes, SS, Rockies. Barmes hasn't played since breaking his collarbone on June 5, but he still leads all rookies in hits, runs and RBIs.

ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE YEAR Brad Halsey, LHP, Diamondbacks. Halsey (4--6, 4.23 ERA), the former 17-game winner in the Yankees' system who was acquired in the Randy Johnson trade, gets the edge over Rockies lefthander Jeff Francis.

BEST CLOSER Chad Cordero, RHP, Nationals. Two years ago he was closing for Cal State-- Fullerton; now Chief leads the majors in saves (25). Other than three solo homers, he has allowed one run-scoring hit all year.

BEST FREE-AGENT ADDITION Pedro Martinez, RHP, Mets. Martinez has left with a lead in all but four of his 15 starts, has nearly six times as many strikeouts as walks and has been money at the box office.

WORST FREE-AGENT ADDITION Eric Milton, LHP, Reds. Cincinnati can't survive big-money mistakes like this one. Milton (three years, $25.5 million) ranked second to last among 111 qualifiers in ERA (7.70), while serving up the most home runs (27, threatening Bert Blyleven's record of 50 gopher balls).

AMERICAN LEAGUE