*I flipped on the TV in my office to see what the Mets were up to and immediately turned it off. It had nothing to do with the Mets, and everything to do with seeing they were playing in Cincinnati on a cold, raw, rainy afternoon. Even an armachair manager can see the players and spectators struggling in such lousy conditions. Already today there have been rainouts in Boston and Chicago. Which leads to the annual quesiton - expressed again last night by John Kruk on ESPN: With all the warm weather cities and domed stadiums, why do they insist on scheduling season-opening games in the Northeast and upper Midwest?

*Speaking of annual questions - mostly unanswered - why does the richest franchise in baseball, the one with the highest payroll and the new $1.5 billion stadium, still employ among the worst radio broadcast teams? Yes, I'm talking about John Stirling and Suzyn Waldman on the New York Yankees radio network.

*If you're a fan and a student of the Yankees, you'll want to pick up a copy of the team's annual Media Guide. (If it's not available at the stadium, you can order it on the team's Website.) I've been reading baseball media guides for three decades and this one rates tops. Except for one thing: On some of the pages, the words and numbers are so small, you'll need a magnifying glass to read it.

*Speaking of broadcasters, I understand that Bob Costas and Jim Kaat will be calling games on the Major League Baseball Network. Now there's a listen that will enhance a telecast.

*Gary Sheffield says it's been his dream to play for the Mets. Oh, sure it has. He's been on so many teams, that was one "dream" bound to come true.

*I'm not saying the Yankees are a better team without Alex Rodriguez. That would be ludicrous, given his numbers. But the Yankees are good enough to win without him, and it will be easier to root for them.