The schedule maker needs to be fired

MARINERS

The rains came and another game was washed out, this one to be made up May 3.

Quickly now, let’s review: Major League baseball schedules the Mariners one trip each all season to Cleveland and Boston. The trips are scheduled for the first week of the season, when bad weather is not only a possibility, it should be expected. Of the seven games, the M’s play two. Already five games have to be made up during the season.

Whoever put together this asinine schedule should be Imused.

At least they are home tonight (7; FSN; 920-AM), where a roof assures the game will be played.

Today’s water-downed list …

• Of course the weather was the main topic, with stories from the News Tribune , the Times and the P-I . Also, there were these stories from the Boston Globe and Herald . By the way, the Red Sox were honoring the Celtics on Thursday, with the teams’ NBA championship banners hanging from the Green Monster – until the rain started to soak them.

• The most interesting piece (see question below), which also ran in the S-R, was this story from Larry Stone concerning Felix’s near no-hitter. Some people are upset because new broadcaster Dave Sims mentioned it during the game. The Mariners spent the rainout Thursday discussing Felix’s gem, including information from Joel Pineiro.

• There’s a story on NBC sports’ website that asserts if Felix Hernandez has really come of age, the balance of power in the AL West has moved north to Seattle. The story goes on to talk about the importance of a dominating ace, which we’ve talked about here before.

• Every two weeks the P-I takes a look at the Mariners’ farm system. Here is today’s report on its improved depth, and a piece on the familiar faces in Tacoma.

• And our question for the day …

• Should announcers talk about no-hitters during the game? Or should they follow the dugout’s code of silence?