On Sunday, with their 7-2 win over the Brewers, the Nats reached the All Star break and the season’s traditional halfway point. With the team on a not-quite-as-bad-as-expected 66-win pace, those of us who write about them are stuck somewhere between the building euphoria in Boston and the pitchfork and torches crowd in Cincinnati.

One of the beautiful things about baseball, though, is that the long season generates plenty of moments, both incredible and pathetic, even for teams playing way under the national radar. And what better device to relive them with than our favorite bit of sportswriting gimmickry, an unwarranted second installment of DCist’s Mid-Season Awards?

The Weebles Award: He lost three key players in the first month in Patterson, Guzman and Logan. He was staring a long season in a competitive NL East in the face. Many expected rookie manager Manny Acta to go on a tirade, especially after a loss to the Brewers made his brief career record an abysmal 9-25. After emerging from a calm clubhouse, here’s what he said that day:

You have to stay positive and keep talking to the guys. I don’t know what people are looking for. Turning the tables around or turning the spread over and not allow the guys to eat will not help. It has nothing to do with what happens on the field.

Manny wobbles, but he won’t fall down. For that reason and others, consensus is building that this Acta guy can coach.

The Best Look: With apologies to the flowing braids of Belliard and Logan and Chad Cordero’s “pudgy assassin” look, this award has got to go to MASN color man Don Sutton. His deft blend of humor and knowledge of the game has been a pleasant surprise, but who doesn’t enjoy the occasional shots of the press box on MASN’s broadcast, treating us to the fabulous hairdo that crosses a Bichon Frise with Little Richard?

Photo by Flickr user dcJohn.