Vitello knows that, despite the public admiration, he may have his share of quiet detractors. In baseball, as inevitable as change is the pushback that comes with it.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello signs autographs for fans after their MLB win against the Sultanes de Monterrey at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 23, 2026. exhibition and the tranquil split-squad affairs, the intense practices and lengthy media sessions, the Giants’ new manager was a man in constant motion overAs he makes the unprecedented leap from collegiate head coach to major league manager, Vitello knows he won’t be catching up on his rest anytime soon.
Following eight seasons as the University of Tennessee’s head coach and 23 total years in college coaching, Vitello begins his first season in professional baseball tonight at Oracle Parkafter being hired last October. No one in MLB history had jumped straight from leading a college team to a major league squad — until Vitello.of Vitello, the 40th manager in franchise history. After transforming Tennessee into a national powerhouse, Vitello is set for his first game as the leader of a franchise that has been managed by the likes of John McGraw and Bill Terry, Roger Craig and Felipe Alou, Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy. “There are always exceptions,” Vitello said, “and these are exceptional circumstances that make up the exception.”Three national reporters attended Vitello’s availability on the first day of camp, and non-local media were a steady presence leading up to Cactus League play. Vitello handled the curiosity, but he created headlines more than a week into camp when he went on an unpromptedVitello explained that the leak affected his final days at Tennessee, making cryptic comments that led people to question his allegiances. The moment became a multi-day news cycle in the Bay Area, showcasing that Vitello doesn’t hesitate to broadcast his inner machinations to the world. Aside from that episode, Vitello’s first spring training as a major league manager went smoothly. Catching coach/field coordinator Alex Burg crafted the day-to-day schedules, and bench coach Jayce Tingler executed them. Vitello added intensity to pregame practices, blaring music from Scottsdale Stadium’s speakers to emphasize communication.The 47-year-old Vitello was energetic, throwing batting practice and hitting grounders with his fungo bat. After games, it wasn’t uncommon for Vitello to sign autographs, greet Tennessee fans or fraternize with his former players. Vitello took lessons big and small from spring training, including where to stand. During the Giants’ Cactus League opener, the“There are definitely a lot of things I would do differently or make more efficient and maybe change a couple things, but overall, it was a great experience,” Vitello said. “I appreciate all the people who made life easier on me.” One of Vitello’s many public endorsers since the hiring has been Philadelphia Phillies two-time MVP Bryce Harper, whom Vitello considers a friend.. “I loved him at Tennessee. We became good friends over the last couple of years, and I’m definitely so excited for him to be able to have a chance in a big league clubhouse.” San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello talks to players in the dugout before their MLB game against the Sultanes de Monterrey at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 23, 2026. Vitello knows that, despite the public admiration, he may have his share of quiet detractors. In baseball, as inevitable as change is the pushback that comes with it. Upon being hired in October, Vitello countered the notion that he hadn’t paid his dues before landing this job. He spent those lonely nights in hotels. He sent countless texts and made countless calls to recruits. He traveled to recruit talent. His journey looked different, but he didn’t believe he took shortcuts, either. “Most humans like being comfortable,” Vitello said. “When something is out of the ordinary, it’s not comfort.” Vitello is accustomed to being something of a disruptor. Under Vitello’s direction, the Volunteers didn’t just become a national powerhouse, but college baseball’s villains. They wereafter winning a championship. But that style of leadership is what got Vitello to this job — and the Giants don’t want him to change now. Head coach Tony Vitello, center, of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with fans after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies for the national championship in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship on June 24, 2024 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Kurtenbach: It’s Year 2 of Buster’s bold SF Giants experiment. The Bay really needs it to workPhotos: Highlights of SF Giants exhibition game against Mexico’s Sultanes de Monterrey“I’ve had so many positive influences around me, either within the Giants or outside the organization, telling me to ,” Vitello said. “I think there’s a positive culture in Major League Baseball. … Maybe behind closed doors, they’re like, ‘That’s not going to work out.’ But, face-to-face, it’s encouraging words and positivity, which has a heavy influence.” Given Vitello’s inexperience, the experienced baseball men throughout the organization will be invaluable. Baker and Bochy, a pair of future Hall of Fame managers, are special advisors., who managed for a decade, is his infield coach. Ron Wotus is a special assistant, and the Giants’ core, too, is composed mainly of veterans.Netflix’s first MLB broadcastand he broke bread with this team’s leaders. He answered dozens of variations of the same question. He experienced his first spring in the desert. He had his first media snafu.“It’ll be completely different from spring training, as far as the pace and the circumstances,” Vitello said. “Even the crowds are bigger. There’s so many external circumstances that are different, but I do think the baseball is going to be the same. … So, ready or not, here we come.”Site of notorious Oakland In-N-Out gets another chanceCanceled USC debate could reshape governor’s race after backlash over exclusions, experts sayWarriors' MRI reveals severity of Moody's gruesome knee injuryCalifornia governor debate draws backlash over who made the stage
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