I think part of the reason many of us here on the OH respect this tradition (ok, superstition, if you like), is because it reflects not just an understanding of the game, but a greater understanding of how players play the game. I can pretty much guarantee everyone that by or after the 5th inning, the words "no-hitter" were not spoken by anyone in the O's dugout. If it's your contention that it's a silly observance, well, hey, you're probably right, and can we can all debate the merits of your stance. But if you were a player at any level in any dugout and you did that, and the pitcher lost his no-hitter, you'd likely get reminded of this tradition in a not-so-friendly manner by one of your teammates.

I learned this playing little league at the age of 12, when I said something about my pitcher's no-hitter, which he lost in the 9th inning. Our third baseman took my glove after the game and threw it in a nearby pond. Ha Ha. I explained this all to my dad when I got home. He took me to get a new one almost immediately and said, "I think you learned your lesson. Don't ever talk about a no-hitter when your pitcher's got one going..."