Two managers were fired in May for failing to stay close enough: Arizona replaced Bob Melvin with A.J. Hinch, and Colorado jettisoned Clint Hurdle in favor of Jim Tracy. Washington's Manny Acta was under pressure following a 16-46 start that threatened the 1962 New York Mets' modern standard for futility, and his bosses wondered whether they'll be able to sign pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the top pick in last month's amateur draft.

World Series champion Philadelphia, the Chicago Cubs and Mets all stumbled to subpar records as they dealt with injuries. Asked this week if he had anyone in sports that he could turn to for spiritual counsel, Mets manager Jerry Manuel gave a philosophical answer.

"Shoot, I need Gandhi and King," Manuel said. "They went through some stuff."

Among players, Kansas City cheered the first half of Zack Greinke (10-5, 2.12 ERA) and St. Louis headed into the All-Star break lauding Albert Pujols (major league-leading 31 home runs).

Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (11-3) made his first All-Star team in his 17th big league season at age 42.

"It puts a smile on my face because this kid is such a good soldier," Torre said of Wakefield, a longtime foe when Torre managed the Yankees. "His numbers in the first half have been a little bit of a surprise, but a nice, pleasant one for me."

Missing from the mix has been 43-year-old Tom Glavine, cut by the Atlanta Braves last month, just before the 305-game winner was to make his season debut.

After the All-Star game, the next big mark to focus on will be the July 31 deadline for trades without waivers, followed by the Aug. 17 deadline to sign draft picks. By then, the pennant races should start to define themselves.

Also up ahead is the July 18 groundbreaking for the Florida Marlins' new ballpark, a possible report by MLB's committee on the Oakland Athletics' quest for a new stadium and a continued search by the Rays for a new ballpark site.

There's also the prospect more young fans will be able to watch this year's most important games. Following record-low ratings for last year's rain-interrupted World Series, MLB persuaded Fox to agree to earlier start times for weeknight October contests.

All in all, tight races should mean a second half that's more fun than the first half.

"It keeps every fan, no matter who your favorite team is, interested in the game - interested in THAT night's game," said Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer. "There's a lot of times when it comes to August, fans are like, 'Eh, who cares about baseball when we can start talking about college football?' Now, hopefully, fans will stick with the game."

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