Somehow it feels like only days ago that the Yankees and Mets were breaking camp, full of October fantasies. The path to the playoffs was supposed to be smooth and unfettered, which shows you how time flies when you’re cruising (or crashing).

The Bombers have kept to our projection of 92 or so wins, good enough at least for the wild card. The Mets, however, are a study in failure — ours, mostly, for failing to see how unprepared many players were after the World Baseball Classic and, since then, how the oversized ballpark has become a nemesis to the offense.
Of course, there’ve been plenty of success-failure stories throughout both leagues. Who could’ve seen the Rangers’ rise to respectability? Who knew Ben Zobrist could be this good playing out of position? Who had it in their tarot cards that Raul Ibanez was still this dangerous at 37?
Put it this way — the first half of the baseball season has been riveting enough to keep even casual fans locked in through Labor Day. The postseason is closer than you think, although for the Mets, it’s more like a million years.
Here are the halfway point awards, nods and rebukes:

Cy Young, American League: Zack Greinke, Royals: What’s not to love about a star pitcher on an awful team? While the Royals have scored the AL’s fewest runs, Greinke has the league’s best ERA (2.12), most complete games (five), most shutouts (two), most innings pitched (127 1/3) and fewest home runs allowed per nine innings pitched (0.3).
His primary weapon is a killer slider think: Joba Chamberlain before he turned ordinary. According to the Wall Street Journal’s research, Greinke gets swings and misses on 49 percent of the sliders he throws, second only to Oakland’s Michael Wuertz.
Honorable mention: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
Cy Young, National League: Tim Lincecum, Giants: With a 10-2 record, “The Freak” has resolved some early season velocity issues and is racking up more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings. This is a significant achievement, considering Lincecum’s heavy workload in 2008 227 innings, which represented a 55 percent increase over ’07.
At first glance, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Lincecum appears as pale and un-athletic looking as a computer hacker, which is why his 96-mph fastball is a scientific (and perhaps medical) wonder. Some believe it’s only a matter of time before he damages his arm. So far, however, there’s no sign of decay, only an army of defeated hitters.
Honorable mention: Dan Haren, Diamondbacks.
Most Valuable Player, AL: Joe Mauer, Twins: On his way to winning his third batting title. With a .388 average, Mauer is beyond the reach of even the great Ichiro Suzuki. Considering he’s a catcher and has the Twins in the hunt in the Central Division, this one’s a no-brainer.
Honorable mention: Jason Bay, Red Sox
Most Valuable Player, NL: Albert Pujols, Cardinals: It’s not that the super-human slugger hits missiles game after game, it’s that he keeps the Cardinals afloat all by himself. Since 2001, they have a .693 winning percentage in the games Pujols has driven in at least one run.
This year, Pujols leads the majors with 32 home runs and 85 RBI, which explains his .381 average with runners in scoring position.
Honorable mention: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
Rookie of the Year, AL: Ricky Romero, Jays
Honorable mention: Rick Porcello, Tigers
Rookie of the Year, NL: Tommy Hanson, Braves
Honorable mention: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
Manager of the Year, AL: Ron Washington, Rangers
Seems to have broken the cycle of mediocrity in Arlington.
Honorable mention: Jim Leyland, Tigers
Manager of the Year, NL: Joe Torre, Dodgers
You don’t have to ask if he’s loving every minute of his post-Yankee success. The tip-off of Torre’s enduring magic was keeping the Dodgers afloat without Manny Ramirez for 50 games.
Honorable mention: Tony La Russa, Cardinals
(Not So) Secret Weapon, AL: Jason Bay, Red Sox
He’s the reason the Sox don’t miss Manny. Bay is leading the American League in RBI (72), because 16 of his 20 home runs have come with runners on base. Obviously he doesn’t mind the pressure of replacing Ramirez, or Boston’s overheated sports culture. In fact, Bay has made plenty of friends at Fenway by hitting .488 against the Yankees this year.
(Not So) Secret Weapon. NL: Raul Ibanez, Phillies
Enjoying the kind of rebirth at age 37 that, five years ago, would’ve aroused suspicion of steroid use. We’ll give the Phillies’ slugger the benefit of the doubt he’s passed every drug test and told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “I’ll give you back every dime I’ve ever made” if one of his samples comes up dirty.
Despite being on the DL for almost a month with a groin strain, Ibanez still has 22 HRs, fifth in the majors, and more than twice the total of any Met.
Second Half Key, AL: Ben Zobrist, Rays.
The Rays still think they’re alive in the East’s game of musical chairs; two of the three top teams are almost certainly headed to the postseason. If the Rays end up winning the division, or at least the wild-card, it’ll be because Zobrist has been an unexpected find at second base. At .293. he’s 49 points over his career average and has just as many HRs (17) as Evan Longoria in 66 fewer at-bats.
Second-Half Key, NL: Jimmy Rollins, Phillies.
Rollins batted just .167 in June, which is one of the many reasons the Phillies were unable to pull away from the Mets. But the shortstop is surging this month, batting .359 so far. If he stays hot, the Phillies will be that much closer to taking the East again.
Best Local Story Line, Yankees: Mark Teixeira
Has made a remarkably smooth transition to the big market cauldron, as stable and unflappable as Alex Rodriguez is mercurial. Tied for second in the AL in home runs, fifth in RBIs, Teixeira’s greatest contribution is arguably on defense. He’s got the best hands of any Yankee first baseman since Don Mattingly, with a slight edge over Tino Martinez.
Best Local Story Line, Mets; Francisco Rodriguez
We’ll never understand the self-congratulation that comes after every save, but Rodriguez has earned the right to gloat. He’s been almost perfect, converting on 22-of-25 save opportunities, while conducting himself in a fairly professional manner.
Flop of the Year, AL: Jason Giambi, A’s
The homecoming hasn’t exactly worked out. Giambi’s average is down to .192 with 71 strikeouts in 260 at-bats.
Flop of the Year, NL: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
It’s hard to believe this is the same player who batted .300 with 39 HR and 102 RBIs in 2002 with the Yankees. Soriano is down almost 70 points from his Yankee peak, on his way to (maybe) 65 RBI and 160 strikeouts.
Flop of the Year (Yankees): Joba Chamberlain
We’ll hold off on the “I-Told-You-So’s” about Joba’s conversion to the starting rotation. But look at the numbers: two years ago, in a small sample size, opponents batted just .145 against him. That average has jumped 137 points while his ERA has soared over 4.00. Eighteen hits in his last eight innings suggests something’s wrong with his arm — landing violently on a stiff left leg — or even his arm.
Flop of the Year, (Mets): Oliver Perez
After two months of trying to figure it out, this was the best Perez could do on Wednesday night — seven walks in five innings? The Wilpons should sue for a refund on that $36 million deal.
The Last Laugh Award: Willie Randolph
Every loss in Flushing takes him a little further off the hook.
Best Team Money Could Buy, AL: Red Sox
Still the class of the league, although the Yankees are closing the gap.
Best Team Money Could Buy, NL: Dodgers
GM Ned Colletti has a shot at Executive of the Year.
Worst Team Money Could Buy, AL: Indians
What’s the point of hanging on to Cliff Lee?
Worst Team Money Could Buy, NL: Mets
Couldn’t resist.
Good Will Award: Everyone
To my family, friends, colleagues, doctors and readers who’ve helped me overcome last summer’s horrific injury. It’s exactly one year since a bad hop seriously damaged my right eye. Thankfully, life has mostly returned to normal — I’m even pitching again for the Hackensack Troasts. Thanks to all who made my recovery possible.