How much longer can this team survive in Montreal drawing less than 10,000 fans per game? Who's gonna pay the electric bill at Olympic Stadium? The big managerial shakeup hasn't changed a thing. Montreal dusted off former player/manager/TV broadcaster Jeff Torborg, named him captain of the Titanic, then sent him on a one-way trip to the bottom of the majors.
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Expos first-half comparison
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2000
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2001
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W-L
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42-42
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37-51
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HR leader
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Guerrero, 23
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Guerrero, 21
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BA leader
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Vidro, .375
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Guerrero, .327
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ERA
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Pavano, 3.06
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Armas Jr., 3.91
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First-half MVP: No question, Vladimir Guerrero. We've seen a lack of hustle at times, even a bit of an attitude, but Vlad's numbers are deserving: .327 BA, 21 HR, 67 RBI. Guerrero leads the team with 12 stolen bases; he's also been caught a team-high nine times.
Biggest surprise: Graeme Lloyd. The 34-year-old Aussie has proven he can pitch well when he's healthy. The lefty is 7-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 46 appearances, allowing only one homer in 42 1/3 innings.
Biggest disappointment: Hideki Irabu, called the "Fat Toad" by George Steinbrenner, has appeared in a grand total of 14 games since being acquired from the Yankees in 1999. Irabu (0-2, 4.86) started the season on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow and right knee, made three starts, then went back on the DL. See you next year, Hideki.
Second-half goals: Make payroll, keep the doors open. It's a simple plan, really. Just stay afloat for another three months.
Minor-leaguer to watch: Second baseman Henry Mateo, who will represent Ottawa at the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11. The 24-year-old Dominican Republic native leads the International League in stolen bases (30) and is tied for first in triples (9) through July 7.
Grade:  -- Management, not the players, brings the grade down.
(Scale: 1 to 4 baseballs; 1 = worst, 4 = best)
Here's what you had to say about the Expos' first half.
Marty Bernoski is an associate editor at ESPN.com
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