S.F. supervisor wants Tommy Lasorda ousted

OK, I understand that San Francisco Giants fans might have an inferiority complex right now, but this is ridiculous:

San Francisco County Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier is trying to oust Tom Lasorda as grand marshal of the city's Italian American parade on Oct. 12. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, she has introduced a resolution for another "local Italian American athlete" such as Joe Montana or Barry Zito to take the former Dodgers manager's place.

And, asked if supervisors might have better things to spend their time on, Alioto-Pier didn't back down.

"We can't have Tommy Lasorda come to San Francisco for the Italian American parade," she told the paper. "He's like enemy No. 1 right now. If you don't think this is important, you should move to L.A."

Perhaps surprisingly, many readers choosing to comment on the story enthusiastically backed Lasorda. "Want a great meal in North Beach? Ask Tommy where to go, not Alioto dash blankyblank," wrote one. Penned another: "Tommy Lasorda is all about being Italian and enjoying great food. Zito will be booed and Montana would never come."

-- Mike Hiserman

Photo: Baseball fans at Petco Park in San Diego don't seem to mind a visit from former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda during a game earlier this month. Credit: Robert Benson / US Presswire

Comments

[Albert Alonso]

Here's a copy of an email I just sent Mrs. Alioto-Pier:

Leave Tommy alone!

Why are you tring to ban Tommy Lasorda from the Italian American parade? I realize the Dodger/Giant rivalry is intense, but this is very silly. Tommy is a wonderful ambassador for the game of baseball as a whole, not only the Dodgers. He is also a warm, caring, compassionate person, and a proud Italian American. Tommy has spent much time and money giving back to the community and supporting many important charities. I think if you had the opportunity to meet him, as I have, you'd come away feeling the same way I do about him. I hope you'll reconsider your resolution. I took the time to read some of your bio, and you seem like an intelligent, caring, and compassionate person, yourself. As a fellow Democrat, I hate to see you creating such bad publicity for yourself, while wasting valuable time and energy. I'm sure there are much more important issues in your city you could be focusing on.

As a lifelong Dodger fan, I was insulted by your generalization of us as being "boastful and smug". Some might be, but not all of us. It's not our fault we've been to 9 World Series and won 5 of them since moving West, while the Giants have won exactly zero championships in S.F. Ok... maybe I am being a little boastful and smug, but please don't take it out on Tommy!

[vinophile@yahoo.com]

Apparently Michela Alioto-Pier has cured cancer, eliminated crime and fixed our banking system. With all the important issues fixed she has time for this tripe. What an eggergious waste of taxpayer money. Everything they do under the auspices of office cost we the people money. I'd like my money back!