Now that we have seen the first half of the season unfold who will be the end of the season award winners?

Some players have been eliminated because of poor first halves, but it is still tough to make the correct calls.

Here goes.Most Valuable Player:

Will come from a division winner. It always does.

Jason Giambi has done everything the Yanks hoped and more leading the Bombers to the lead in the AL East. Yankee teammate Alfonso Soriano has quietly sneaked up in all the top offensive categories, but he isn’t going to knock the big guy out this year. Chicago’s Paul Konerko is having a breakthrough season. His club isn’t, too bad. John Olerud is the sleeper here. Say what you want about Ichiro, but Olerud is carrying the ball on this team.

My pick: Giambi

In the NL, the race is too close to call. Shawn Green can win the award, but the Dodgers may not win the West, knocking Green out. Gary Sheffield, with a eye popping second half, could get it. If Arizona wins, and Curt Schilling wins 25 games, he could be the choice. Of course, if the Giants sneak in, Barry Bonds wins again. Sleeper pick, Lance Berkman of Houston.

My pick: Schilling

Cy Young in the AL may be heading to Boston once again. Unless Pedro Martinez has arm trouble he is still the best pitcher in the league. Derek Lowe probably won’t keep up his first half pace, nor should he, if the Sox want to catch the Yanks. Barry Zito is ready to step in if Pedro falters. Zito is capable of winning 22 or more. Sleeper pick is Mike Mussina. If the above two have trouble, Moose can win simply because he may win 20 or more and be a sentimental choice.

My pick: Zito

Again, the NL is tougher to call. Eric Gagne can win the award if he gets 50 or more saves and LA wins the division. Curt Schilling may get more votes than the Big Unit as a result of Johnson snubbing the All Star game. Tom Glavine can get the award if something happens to either of the Arizona pitchers. Sleeper pick is Greg Maddux who just won’t lose many in the second half.

My pick: Schilling

Manager of the year will be judged by me looking at which manager overcame the most adversity to bring his club around.

Frank Robinson seems like the logical choice in Montreal. Somehow I feel the Expos second half will be forgettable despite major league baseball’s efforts to stock the franchise with disbursable players who will be set free next season. Tony LaRussa has battled through the most trying circumstances with Darryl Kile’s passing plus even before the tragic loss, losing his pitching rotation to injury. If the Cards hang in, he will be tough to beat. Jim Tracy can win if he doesn’t ruin Gagne by August and LA wins. My sleeper: Jimy Williams who brings the Astros back from the forgotten and wins the division.

My pick: LaRussa

Ron Gardenhire didn’t know if he would have a team to manage in Minnesota over the winter. The Twins have led the division from day one and have continued to play the game the way former manager Tom Kelley taught them. The Twins rotation has been banged up since the first week, but Gardenhire has delicately worked the most effective bull pen in the

league. Art Howe has gotten the most out of a team that started the season with DH’s playing two positions in the outfield and an uncoachable rookie at first base. Somehow, through all this, he maintained his composure and now has this team ready for another second half run. Howe once again must win the division to break his string of three straight second place finishes. Sleeper pick is Mike Scoscia. If Anaheim takes the West he could knock Gardenhire out.

My pick: Gardenhire

These awards are keyed to team success, so watch the standings very carefully.