The new Hall of Fame veterans committee completed its third voting cycle yesterday, and for the third time it pitched a shutout.

Ron Santo, Jim Kaat, Marvin Miller and all the other candidates were left out when the committee admitted no new members.

The blank slate could lead to changes before the next vote in 2009. "We're being blamed because something hasn't happened," Hall member and vice chairman Joe Morgan said. "If you're asking me, 'Do we lower our standards to get more people in?' my answer would be no."

Santo, a nine-time All-Star third baseman with the Cubs, came the closest to the required 75 percent. He was picked on 57 of 82 ballots (70 percent).

Kaat, a 283-game winner and strongly backed by Hall member Mike Schmidt, drew 52 votes. Gil Hodges, who hit 370 home runs, got 50 votes and three-time American League batting champion Tony Oliva had 47. Players needed 62 for election.

Marlins

Joe Girardi was forced out as manager after just one season, but the club continues to find reasons to be angry with him. The latest reason: Girardi gave rival pitcher Jon Lieber helpful tips during the season. Lieber said his season with Philadelphia turned around shortly after he was roughed up by the Marlins July 31, and he credits a phone call from Girardi. The two were teammates with the Cubs from 2000-02. Both teams contended for the NL wild-card berth, and Lieber beat the Marlins twice in September.

Dodgers

Manager Grady Little already has made a lot of decisions many teams wouldn't announce until the end of spring training. Last week, he announced Derek Lowe as the opening day starter, and now, he has nearly nailed down the top five in his batting order: Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent and Luis Gonzalez.

Indians

The team has started talks with C.C. Sabathia on a contract extension. Sabathia is due to make $8.75 million this year and $9 million in 2008. He is eligible for free agency after the 2008 World Series. Sabathia is 81-56 in his career.

Elsewhere

The famous 1909 Honus Wagner card -- the best of the 60 or so known to be in existence and the one once owned by hockey great Wayne Gretzky -- sold earlier this week for a record-setting $2.35 million. The buyer has only been identified as a Southern California collector. Seller Brian Seigel in 2000 paid a then-record $1,265,000. The card is held in such esteem that it arrived at a news conference at Dodgers Stadium in the company of an armed guard. ... Frank Torre, brother of New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, could have a kidney transplant in the next couple of months after tests determined two of his children are a match for the procedure. ... Sammy Sosa will make his Texas Rangers debut in a "B" game Friday instead of the regular Cactus League opener.