TUCSON - So, the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee threw a shutout.

So, none of the veteran players on the ballot were elected.

So what?

Talk about much ado about nothing.

The purpose of the Veterans Committee is not to elect players but to correct oversights that might have been committed in the 15 years a player was under consideration for enshrinement by veteran members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Instead of a slight to any former player, the Veterans Committee not electing any players would seem to mean the BBWAA voters did their job and elected those who belong.

Truly, who better to decide the merits of a player possibly overlooked for Hall of Fame induction than the men who played against him or with him and who are in the Hall of Fame?

Funny thing is, the Veterans Committee was revamped, and the living Hall of Famers asked to vote because of complaints about who was being elected by the previous committee.

That doesn't mean there won't be debates, but it is healthier to have debates about who has been left out than to have arguments, as in other sports, that center on why certain players were admitted. It is, after all, a Hall of Fame, where only the elite are to be enshrined. And the fact a player isn't selected doesn't demean his contribution.

Ron Santo was an awfully good player who has grown in stature since his retirement because he is a wonderful person and remains visible because of his role as a Cubs broadcaster. As a voter who had Santo on his ballot, along with Maury Wills, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva and Luis Tiant, there is a feeling of regret that each was overlooked.

But there also is a sense of respect for the process. And a willingness to accept the fact that if 75 percent of the voters don't believe a player is worthy of induction, he doesn't get inducted.

It is rather interesting Santo has become such a focal point for the Hall of Fame debate considering the first year he was on the BBWAA ballot, 1980, he received only 15 votes total, 3.9 percent, and it took a special ruling by the Hall of Fame to even get his name back on the ballot in 1985.

Overheard

• The Cardinals let it be known that if Roger Clemens decides to pitch, they have interest. The interest isn't mutual, however. Agent Randy Hendricks said if Clemens pitches, he will decide from among three teams - the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox.

• Outfielder Geoff Jenkins said he wants to be traded if he doesn't play every day. Earth to Jenkins: The Brewers have been shopping you since July, with no takers so far.

• Right-handed pitcher Brett Myers could get an opportunity as the closer in Philadelphia because of the excess of candidates for the Phillies' rotation. That would allow Tom Gordon to move back into a setup role and would strengthen the Phillies' bullpen weakness.

Readers' turn

Bryan Dodson writes, "We as humans find symmetry to be attractive, so why does MLB continue to keep 16 teams in the NL and 14 in the AL? It only makes sense to me to have six divisions of five teams each, and the obvious answer to me is to move the Astros over to the AL West. By doing so, MLB would be creating a potential great in-state, divisional rivalry between the Astros and the Rangers."

Bryan, the 15-team league concept was considered, but that would have required one interleague series at all times, and MLB decided that doing so would lessen the appeal of interleague play. The other aspect is the Rangers do not like being in the West as it is because of time-zone problems with the West Coast teams, which means the road TV games within the division don't start until 9 p.m., leaving only one hour of the broadcast in prime time, when ad rates are higher.

For Tracy Ringolsby's responses to other questions and to ask questions, check out the Rockies Inbox at Rocky MountainNews.com/ rockies.

Two cents' worth

One aspect of the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee needs to be reconsidered - the nonplayer ballot, which includes former managers, executives and umpires. Players get a feel for their opponents, but their relationship with management and umpires is different. They don't develop a long-term evaluation of how a man did his job, and they admit it.

The Hall of Fame would be well-advised to reconsider the selection process, possibly using the living members of the writers and broadcast wings of the Hall of Fame, along with a handful of baseball historians.MILE HIGH WATCH

• Don't waste time wondering about the possibility of the Rockies reopening talks with the Red Sox about first baseman Todd Helton, in light of the latest escapades of outfielder Manny Ramirez. Given the Red Sox's approach in recent conversations between the teams, the Rockies most likely not only would want a written proposal, but they'd want it notarized.

When the Helton talks ended in January, it was humorous to read complaints by Red Sox officials about information on the trade being leaked to the media. It was the Red Sox front office, after all, that got the word out, apparently believing if the potential deal became enough of a public issue, Helton would force the Rockies to make a move.

It didn't work. Helton has said he has no plans to revisit his no-trade clause, and the Rockies now are focused on preparing for the season without disrupting their current core, which includes having Helton bat cleanup.

• Vinny Castilla has managerial ambition, and the first step is managing the Mexican team in the Pan American Games in July. Upon retiring last year, Castilla said he hopes to manage in the Mexican Pacific League, the winter league in his native land.

• Baseball America lists eight Rockies prospects among its top 100, the most of any organization. Shortstop Troy TulowitzkiFranklin Morales (No. 30), right-hander Jason Hirsh (No. 42), third baseman Ian Stewart (No. 46), center fielder Dexter Fowler (No. 48), right- hander Greg Reynolds (No. 76), right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (No. 84) and catcher Chris Iannetta (No. 92).

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

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