Bob Feller was one of the game's finest pitchers, and he served our country admirably during World War II. He is also an example of why the Veterans' Committee has no business deciding who gets into the Hall of Fame.

Cub Town's Phil Bencomo spoke to Feller recently and asked him about Ron Santo, whose omission from the Hall of Fame is "the most egregious mistake ever made by the Baseball Writers Association of America." Said Feller, "I think Riggs Stephenson has a much better chance of getting in than Ron Santo. Ron Santo is borderline, and he may make it. I predicted it and hope he does. ... I have put his name on my list ... I hope he can make it, and I hope Riggs Stephenson makes it, as well as Lefty O'Doul and two or three others."

Oh, boy. The same person who complains about pitchers not throwing complete games in today's game thinks that two position players who rarely played full seasons should be in the Hall of Fame. Both O'Doul (career 143 OPS+) and Stephenson (130) could hit the ball. But O'Doul played in at least 140 games in just three seasons (he got a very late start after failing as a pitcher in his 20s); Stephenson in just two seasons. Santo did that in 12 seasons, hitting almost as well on a rate basis (with peaks just as high or higher), and playing great defense at a more important defensive position.