New Giants Manager Tony Vitello Brings Energy to Team

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Over the past six weeks, Tony Vitello has found his favorite spot as a professional baseball manager: the top step of the dugout, right by home plate.

Now, he’s not rigid about this, nor does he see himself as superstitious. This sets him apart from previous managers who often tailored their routines based on the outcomes of prior games.

The contrast between Vitello and Bob Melvin, the last Giants manager, is apparent. They differ in age (47 compared to Melvin’s 64), managerial backgrounds (Vitello has none, while Melvin has 20 years with four teams), and even height (Vitello is 5-foot-11, while Melvin stands at 6-foot-4), not to mention their choices in facial hair—Vitello sports a beard, while Melvin is clean-shaven.

Interestingly, what stood out most to the players after Vitello’s first spring training was his energy. “I love his energy,” starter Robbie Ray expressed.

“I feel a lot better,” reliever Ryan Walker added, highlighting the positive atmosphere.

Shortstop Willie Adams chimed in, stating, “The energy he brings, the personality he brings, he pushes everyone to be better. That’s what we needed.”

Vitello’s journey has been quite a climb, from a recruiter at the University of Tennessee to a national championship-winning coach. His teams were known for their unique intensity and flair, which contrasted with what was, before his tenure, a lackluster culture at the university.

He mentioned alterations needed, saying, “I’d rather make adjustments, and I’ve had to. We let them be what they naturally are.”

A vibrant culture led to victories, even if there were moments of theatrics—like players celebrating hits rather animatedly. Vitello discussed how different his upbringing was regarding celebrations: “In my household, if you hit a double, you just ran to second base as fast as possible. There was no celebration.”

If there’s one thing Vitello’s teams at Tennessee lacked, it was monotonous or mediocre play—two criticisms that have been leveled at the San Francisco Giants in recent seasons. They’ve struggled, hovering around .500 and missing the playoffs multiple years in a row.

Yet, it’s worth noting that no coach has ever transitioned directly from college to a major league manager role. This unique path began when general manager Zach Minassian placed a casual phone call to Buster Posey.

“I asked him, ‘What do you think about this? I think it would be interesting to talk to him,'” Minassian recalled. “Buster agreed, and it just built from there.”

Vitello’s hiring raised eyebrows within the professional baseball community. Critics questioned whether he had earned his spurs, but sources familiar with his time at Tennessee dismissed the surprise, highlighting changes in collegiate athletics regarding financial backing.

His agent, Jimmy Sexton, reached out to Vitello as the Giants started their search. Reflecting on advice from Nick Saban, who had attempted a previous jump to the NFL, Vitello shared, “He gave me some advice about the decisions I was facing.”

Though Minassian had initial doubts, they were quelled when Vitello’s team displayed vibrancy during spring training, achieving the second-best record in the Cactus League.

Ultimately, there was a lot of personality and charisma, which helped the players connect more genuinely with him. “He really cares about the players in the clubhouse,” a player noted.

Interestingly, despite never playing professionally, Vitello has jumped in for pitcher practices and batting drills—he even brings music to make the environment lively. This energetic involvement has created a mutual exchange of ideas on baseball between him and his players.

His approach to training draws from watching his father, Greg, coach high school teams. Greg Vitello emphasized every practice as a learning moment, which resonates with Tony today. “I know he spends a lot of time prepping for practice,” Greg mentioned.

One player, reliever Eric Miller, commented on the differences between coaching styles. While Greg had a militaristic approach, Tony’s seems more about fostering energy while keeping focused on details.

Last season was tough for the Giants, characterized by periods of lethargy. Players lamented that perhaps they could’ve improved dynamics if their coaches hadn’t felt isolated. Veteran player Matt Chapman, who spent most of his career under Melvin, expressed sadness over the change but was quick to rally behind Vitello.

“I trust Buster, so I didn’t need much convincing. After talking to Tony, I was all in. He’s open-minded.”

Yet, questions about something as crucial as bullpen management linger, issues that spring training doesn’t fully address. Vitello has established rapport with the Giants’ decision-makers, collaborating on strategies.

“Every decision we make is a group effort,” Vitello confirmed. “Whatever we choose, we will move forward with determination.”

As he approaches his first MLB Opening Day, Vitello is navigating the learning curve of this new environment. He’s appreciated his players’ professionalism but also found their strict routines somewhat amusing. “It’s funny; if you stand in a different spot, it disrupts everyone’s day,” he chuckled.

Interestingly, at times Vitello has mused about players’ diets or shared his quirky critiques of external events, like commercials. This openness gives a glimpse into his multifaceted mind.

So, as the season begins, the question is whether Vitello’s ideas and methods will resonate in a major league setting. Near the end of camp, he reflected on the relationship dynamics, indicating that rather than toning down, the communication might need to amp up.