By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

The preseason sense was the Braves' remarkable run of 12 consecutive division titles would end this year.

But will it?

The retooled Braves have moved beyond the injuries that defined their season's first half and are where many thought they wouldn't be in late July: in a tight National League East Division race.

Atlanta was tied with the Phillies for first place entering a three-game weekend series against the Mets. The Marlins were third.

"It's obvious that no one in our division, as we've figuratively and literally limped through the season, is running out to a big lead," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "I said it three months ago and I'll say it again: When we get our team healthy and on the field together, I believe we have a real good team."

Ten Braves players have spent time on the disabled list this season.

Until July 15, when All-Star second baseman Marcus Giles came off the DL, Atlanta had not fielded a starting lineup that included shortstop Rafael Furcal, Giles, right fielder J.D. Drew, center fielder Andruw Jones and third baseman Chipper Jones since April 9.

The surge began with a 5-0 win against the Orioles on June 26. Atlanta won 16 of its next 23 games through Thursday.

After this weekend, the Braves have 19 games remaining with the Phillies (six), Marlins (six) and Mets (seven). All 19 will be played from Aug. 31 through Sept. 29.

Indications are Atlanta is a buyer as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears, and Schuerholz looks to make a 13th consecutive division title a reality.

CLOSE CALL: Five months after a rare form of arthritis filled his joints with fluid and nearly claimed his life, Sparky Anderson was healthy enough to attend a charitable function last week in Detroit.

The Hall of Fame manager spoke about his early February ordeal in a July 18 column by Jim Hawkins of The Daily Oakland (Mich.) Press.

"I was in the hospital for 11 days and I didn't know anything that was going on for six," Anderson said. "When it was all over, I asked the doctor: 'Tell me the truth, Doc, how close did I come?' He said, 'You wouldn't have wanted to take a step backward.' "

A NICE PLACE TO PLAY: The Pirates secured the 2006 All-Star Game, according to commissioner Bud Selig, on the strength of PNC Park and not because the franchise has lost $30 million since it moved into the stadium.

"This ballpark is spectacular, and it played a critical role," Selig said. "Without PNC Park, there is no All-Star Game here."

COMEBACK TRAIL: The Cubs hope Ryan Dempster will be available to pitch sometime next month.

The former Red, who underwent "Tommy John" elbow surgery Aug. 4, is expected to be moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Iowa this week. The Cubs might consider using Dempster, who has made five career relief appearances, in the closer's role.

"I'm kind of curious to see what we have in Dempster," Chicago general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't think you would put him right into it, but he has guts, he throws 95 (mph) and he has a pretty good slider.

"It's worth an experiment. I wouldn't say on Sept. 1 he couldn't be (the closer)."

SWITCHEROO: At some point, either during the All-Star break or while the team was away on a six-game road trip to open the second half, the 369-foot marker hanging on the left-center field wall at Citizens Bank Park was moved.

The Phillies say the new location - closer to center field - is accurate.

"You knew (the power alley) wasn't that far," pitcher Randy Wolf said. "I'm not a strong man, so when I hit balls out of here, you know something isn't right."

THE LAST WORDS: When a tornado warning forced the evacuation of the Twins' team hotel in Kansas City on July 17, only half of the team headed to a downstairs ballroom.

"(Bench coach) Steve Liddle said he just put a bag of bats in the window," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, "because nothing was going to hit them."

Minnesota lost three of four to the last-place Royals and scored three runs or fewer in each game.

HOT CORNER

Who's Hot: David Newhan

The 30-year-old Orioles outfielder has made a splash, batting .413 in 33 games with five homers and 24 RBI. He had hit only .163 in 63 big-league games and had shoulder surgeries in 2001 and 2002.

The Pepperdine product is a much more familiar name on the West Coast than he is in the East. That's because of David's father, Ross.

Ross is a national baseball writer for the Los Angeles Times.

David has a way to go to match his father's success.

Ross is in the writers' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Who's not: Arizona Diamondbacks

Less than three years after their World Series triumph, the Snakes have grown old fast. Randy Johnson trade rumors leading to the July 31 trade deadline will be the dramatic high point for Arizona's season.

ODDS AND ENDS

• Citizens Bank Park has proven to be an offensive delight, leading the majors in home runs allowed. Phillies batters had 76 homers, and opponents 74, through 50 games there this season.

• The Pirates reportedly rejected two trade proposals for pitcher Kris Benson last week. The Mets offered third baseman Ty Wigginton, and the Phillies offered Double-A first baseman Ryan Howard. Pittsburgh is looking for at least one major-league-ready player and a prospect.

• Because the Rangers are playing so well, it appears John Hart will remain as the team's general manager next season. Assistant GM Grady Fuson was in line to take the job.

IN THE HALL

Career statistics for Dennis Eckersley and Paul Molitor, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today in Cooperstown, N.Y.:

DENNIS ECKERSLEY

Regular Season

Yr., Team	IP	W-L	Sv	BB	SO	ERA
1975, Cle	187	13-7	2	90	152	2.60
1976, Cle	199	13-12	1	78	200	3.44
1977, Cle	247	14-13	0	54	191	3.53
1978, Bos	268	20-8	0	71	162	2.99
1979, Bos	247	17-10	0	59	150	2.99
1980, Bos	198	12-14	0	44	121	4.27
1981, Bos	154	9-8	0	35	79	4.27
1982, Bos	224.1	13-13	0	43	127	3.73
1983, Bos	176.1	9-13	0	39	77	5.61
1984, Bos	64.2	4-4	0	13	33	5.01
1984, CHC	160.1	10-8	0	36	81	3.03
1985, CHC	169.1	11-7	0	19	117	3.08
1986, CHC	201	6-11	0	43	137	4.57
1987, Oak	115.2	6-8	16	17	113	3.03
1988, Oak	72.2	4-2	45	11	70	2.35
1989, Oak	57.2	4-0	33	3	55	1.56
1990, Oak	73.1	4-2	48	4	73	0.61
1991, Oak	76	5-4	43	9	87	2.96
1992, Oak	80	7-1	51	11	93	1.91
1993, Oak	67	2-4	36	13	80	4.16
1994, Oak	44.1	5-4	19	13	47	4.26
1995, Oak	50.1	4-6	29	11	40	4.83
1996, StL	60	0-6	30	6	49	3.30
1997, StL	53	1-5	36	8	45	3.91
1998, Bos	39.2	4-1	1	8	22	4.76
Totals	3285.2	197-171	390	738	2401	3.50

Division Series

Year, Opp	IP	W-L	Sv	BB	SO	ERA
1996, SD	3.2	0-0	3	0	2	0.00
1998, Cle	1	0-0	0	0	1	9.00
Totals	4.2	0-0	3	0	3	1.93

League Championship Series

Year, Opp	IP	W-L	Sv	BB	SO	ERA
1984, SD	5.1	0-1	0	0	0	8.44
1988, Bos	6	0-0	4	2	5	0.00
1989, Tor	5.2	0-0	3	0	2	1.59
1990, Bos	3.1	0-0	2	0	3	0.00
1992, Tor	3	0-0	1	0	2	6.00
1996, Atl	3.1	1-0	1	0	4	0.00
Totals	26.2	1-1	11	2	16	2.70

World Series

Year, Opp	IP	W-L	Sv	BB	SO	ERA
1988, LA	1.2	0-1	0	1	2	10.80
1989, SF	1.2	0-0	1	0	0	0.00
1990, Cin	1.1	0-1	0	0	1	6.75
Totals	4.2	0-2	1	1	3	5.79

PAUL MOLITOR

Regular Season

Year, Team	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	Avg
1978, Mil	521	73	142	6	45	.273
1979, Mil	584	88	188	9	62	.322
1980, Mil	450	81	137	9	37	.304
1981, Mil	251	45	67	2	19	.267
1982, Mil	666	136	201	19	71	.302
1983, Mil	608	95	164	15	47	.270
1984, Mil	46	3	10	0	6	.217
1985, Mil	576	93	171	10	48	.297
1986, Mil	437	62	123	9	55	.281
1987, Mil	465	114	164	16	75	.353
1988, Mil	609	115	190	13	60	.312
1989, Mil	615	84	194	11	56	.315
1990, Mil	418	64	119	12	45	.285
1991, Mil	665	133	216	17	75	.325
1992, Mil	609	89	195	12	89	.320
1993, Tor	636	121	211	22	111	.332
1994, Tor	454	86	155	14	75	.341
1995, Tor	525	63	142	15	60	.270
1996, Min	660	99	225	9	113	.341
1997, Min	538	63	164	10	89	.305
1998, Min	502	75	141	4	69	.281
Totals	10835	1782	3319	234	1307	.306

Division Series

Year, Opp.	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	Avg
1981, NYY	20	2	5	1	1	.250

League Championship Series

Year, Opp.	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	Avg
1982, Cal	19	4	6	2	5	.316
1993, Chi	23	7	9	1	5	.391
Totals	42	11	15	3	10	.357

World Series

Year, Opp.	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	Avg
1982, StL	31	5	11	0	3	.355
1993, Phi	24	10	12	2	8	.500
Totals	55	15	23	2	11	.418

MLB power rankings

1. N.Y. Yankees	Big George-Big Unit Show coming soon.
2. St. Louis Cardinals	Patchwork rotation coming together.
3. Texas Rangers	Lost key starter Rodriguez.
4. Minnesota Twins	Rookie 1B Morneau pushing Mientkiewicz.
5. Chicago White Sox	Garcia gives Pale Hose an ace.
6. Chicago Cubs	Sosa booed, then cheered.
7. Boston Red Sox	Schilling KO'd by Yanks.
8. Oakland Athletics	Beane at trade deadline = pig in slop.
9. Atlanta Braves	We really shouldn't be surprised anymore.
10. Los Angeles Dodgers	Looking for outfield, pitching help.
11. San Diego Padres	Oft-injured Nevin is back.
12. San Francisco Giants	That Bonds guy can hit.
13. Anaheim Angels	Guillen miffs teammates. Go figure.
14. Philadelphia Phillies	Pressure is on high-priced club.
15. Cincinnati Reds	Won't trade away players, unless they do.
16. Milwaukee Brewers	Making Astros cry in their beers.
17. Florida Marlins	Looking for offense at trade deadline.
18. New York Mets	Prized prospect David Wright hits town!
19. Cleveland Indians	Prized prospect Grady Sizemore hits town!
20. Houston Astros	Hope Beltran didn't unpack his bags.
21. Tampa Bay D-Rays	Remember Rob Bell?
22. Pittsburgh Pirates	Where will Benson end up?
23. Detroit Tigers	Yankee killers.
24. Baltimore Orioles	Ladies and gentlemen, Karim Garcia!
25. Colorado Rockies	Ladies and gentlemen, Jamey Wright!
26. Toronto Blue Jays	Trade rumor: Carlos Delgado for Michael Moore.
27. Seattle Mariners	Found a taker for Aurilia.
28. Kansas City Royals	Juan really is Gone.
29. Montreal Expos	Decision near on move.
30. Arizona D'backs	Cloned 11-game skids.

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Information from other news organizations and submitted by other baseball writers was used in this report.