Tommy Lasorda chooses Dodgers over parade

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The Giants-Dodgers rivalry and a tight schedule means ex-LA skipper Tommy Lasorda is out as grand marshal at San Francisco's Italian Heritage Parade.

Lasorda was unsure he could attend Sunday's parade and then get to Los Angeles in time to watch the Dodgers play the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League championship, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Michela Alioto-Pier, San Francisco supervisor and Giants fan who described Dodgers fans as "boastful and smug," responded by calling Lasorda "Enemy No. 1" and threatening introduction of a resolution calling for Lasorda to be fired as grand marshal. Lasorda took the hint Friday.

"I'm not going to go. They made a big thing out of it," Lasorda said Friday in Los Angeles as he watched batting practice.

Lasorda, who joined the Dodgers in 1961 as a scout and served as manager from 1976 to 1996, said his withdrawal was nothing against the city or Italian-Americans.

"I wanted to do it because I love San Francisco, I really do," he said. "We have a rivalry there. That's the way it is."

Joe Garbarino of Marin Sanitary Service, known for his promotion of recycling, is to serve as grand marshal in his stead.