Larry Walker didn't get my vote. Perhaps that's where we should start the debate. Filling out my first Hall of Fame ballot was a welcomed challenge. Writers often lament the task, practically on pins and needles because of the pins and needles of baseball's steroid era.

I enjoy the responsibility and have no problem with the criticism that will come from my ballot. Walker was a great player who had a terrific career, including nearly a decade with the Rockies. He should be celebrated and eventually have his number retired by the Rockies (but only after Todd Helton). Walker just wasn't dominant long enough, his career unfilled because of injuries and a lack of passion.

I have never covered a better player — to this day Walker remains the best baserunner I've ever seen, running with his head on a swivel and knowing exactly when to shift gears to be safe on a double or triple. Coors Field will always hurt him, but not with me. He would have been great at Petco Park. The problem was inactivity. Only once did he play more than 143 games in a season — in 1997, when he became the only Rockie to win National League MVP honors. Walker seemed like an accidental tourist in baseball, unbelievably talented at a sport he didn't love (hockey was in his heart). As such, his numbers are just short (2,160 hits, 383 home runs).


Now to those who did make my ballot. Shortstop Barry Larkin was an easy choice. He helped redefine his position, the first shortstop with a 30-homer, 30-stolen base season. He also was an elite defender. Any list of the top 10 shortstops of all time should include Larkin. His entry to Cooperstown on Monday will affirm as much.

Tim Raines goes undistinguished each winter. Not by me. He is Rickey Henderson without the power. Raines reached base at a .385 clip over 23 seasons and was dominant for 13. His combination of stolen bases, runs scored and defense reach my threshold.

Jeff Bagwell. Of course, I have heard the suspicion that he used performance-enhancing drugs. But that's not enough to withhold my vote. I don't agree with just throwing arms in the air and say everybody cheated, so all offenders get in. Those who got caught or admitted use (Rafael Pal- meiro, Mark McGwire) won't get my vote. I know one former player who became clinically depressed when his numbers became dwarfed because of his refusal to use PEDs. So, morally, those with positive tests are out. It might be an untenable position. But it's mine. Bagwell, absent of proof, has Cooperstown-worthy numbers.

In the interest of space, I will provide a simple defense of the other three that received my vote. Alan Trammell: Can't vote for Larkin without voting for Trammell. Lee Smith lacked the signature moment and I really struggled with his inclusion. But he retired as the all-time saves leader. Jack Morris made it because, for me, he was Curt Schilling before Curt Schilling. His 3.90 ERA makes me uneasy, but he won 254 games, and four for World Series champions in Minnesota and Detroit.

Footnotes. The Rockies have interest in reliever Brad Lidge, but only at minimal risk because of his injuries last season. ... Catcher Wilin Rosario could serve as Ramon Hernandez's backup, starting two to three times a week. If he's not ready, the club will consider complementing Hernandez with Wil Nieves and super utilityman Jordan Pacheco.

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294 or