Major League Baseball officially crossed the bridge into the second half Tuesday when the American League defeated the National League in the All-Star Game at Target Field in Minnesota.
It should be an interesting second half, too, as the NL features three incredibly tight divisional races while the AL wild-card race figures to be a fight to the finish. Plus, there’s so much that can change, especially with the trade deadline looming.
The All-Star break marks a good time to look back, though. While some teams, like the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, would prefer to turn the page as quickly as possible, others can take pride in what they accomplished in the first half of 2014. The same can be said for certain individuals, who, if the season ended today, likely would earn hardware.
It’s been proven over the years that the second half can go a long way toward altering not only playoff races but also quests for personal accolades. A big run down the stretch can thrust a player into the MVP discussion, just as a major slump can knock an individual down the totem pole.
The following midseason awards are based on each players’ first-half production. It’s up to the winners to keep rolling.
