Text messages from press row...

Some, perhaps, take the Dodgers-Giants rivalry a bit too seriously. . . .

In San Francisco, Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier threatened to introduce a resolution calling for Tom Lasorda’s removal as grand marshal of today’s Italian Heritage Day parade, leading to Lasorda’s withdrawal. . . .

Alioto-Pier, who had called Lasorda “enemy No. 1” and described Dodgers fans as “boastful and smug,” later sent Lasorda a box of cannolis as consolation and said the former Dodgers manager was “always welcome in San Francisco.” . . .

Alioto-Pier, you can bet, is not welcome in Dodger Stadium. . . .

You know that Joe Torre and the Dodgers are in trouble when their only hope of reaching the World Series is to first force a return to Philadelphia. . . .

Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and the Dodgers are 0-6 this season in Citizens Bank Park, where victories over the Phillies and home runs to the deepest part of center field remain tauntingly out of their reach. . . .

On the bright side, early-exiting Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley were far from fatigued in Philly and should be strong for Games 4 and 5. . . .

Brett Myers might never experience another three-hitter like that. . . .

The Dodgers, by the way, are trying to win the World Series after posting the 15th-best record in the majors during the regular season. . . .

Two years ago, Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series after finishing with the majors’ 13th-best regular-season record. . . .

USC’s turnover-prone offense played as poorly in the second half Saturday as it did in the first half at Oregon State, but it hardly mattered because Kevin Thomas and the Trojans’ defense was so dominant. . . .

Overheard outside the Coliseum as a youngster wearing a No. 4 jersey was handed a stick to swing at a Sun Devils pinata, “Don’t fumble, Joe McKnight.” . . .

Neither he nor the real McKnight erred Saturday. . . .

Memo to John Lackey: Wishing won’t make it so. . . .

All the head scratching and second-guessing about Mike Scioscia’s controversial squeeze call was understandable, but shouldn’t a starting shortstop on a division-winning major league team be able to lay down a bunt? . . .

That means you, Erick Aybar. . . .

For $200 million over 10 seasons, reportedly what he’ll be seeking as a free agent this fall, Mark Teixeira should be expected to deliver timely extra-base hits and runs batted in during the playoffs rather than the steady stream of mostly harmless singles he provided the Angels against the Boston Red Sox. . . .

Forty-five years ago today, at the Polo Grounds in New York, Manny Mota delivered a two-run pinch single to help the National League defeat the American, 5-2, in the first and only All-Star game reserved for Latino players. . . .

The charity event drew 14,235. . . .

Phil Mickelson makes a cameo in tonight’s episode of “Entourage.” . . .

Andrew Bynum turns 21 on Oct. 27, a day before the Lakers’ opener against Greg Oden and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. . . .

John Wooden turns 98 on Tuesday. . . .

Before all is said and done, Eli Manning might wind up winning more Super Bowl championships than his more celebrated older brother. . . .

Noting that twice-divorced former tennis champion Bjorn Borg has launched an online dating service, “Love for All,” reader Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., says John McEnroe should start one too: “eDisharmony.com.” . . .

Former President Gerald Ford, a center and linebacker at Michigan in the 1930s, will be honored posthumously Monday with a plaque on the Sportswalk to the Waterfront, San Pedro’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. . . .

Others being honored Monday: former Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills; former Palos Verdes High and Virginia basketball players Heather and Heidi Burge; former San Pedro High and USC basketball player Bob Benedetti; John “Red” Zar, a longtime youth baseball coach in San Pedro; and Eddie Mascitto, a former San Pedro High lineman who played with Roger Staubach at Navy. . . .

Only Donald Sterling could make dumping a general manager with a record nearly 500 games below .500 seem like a wrongheaded move, as was the case last week with the owner’s oddly timed ousting of Elgin Baylor. . . .

Wasn’t it only a few months ago that Sterling, the man at the helm of the rudderless Clippers ship, was threatening to fire Mike Dunleavy? . . .

In Clipperdom, the source of the stench is undeniable. . . .

As the saying goes, “The fish stinks from the head.”

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jerome.crowe@latimes.com