Vitello aware of Giants’ historic past; future will be his

The everlasting comment about a baseball manager is he’s hired to be fired.

Which, of course, happened to Bob Melvin a few days ago, and was the reason that the San Francisco Giants on Thursday introduced Tony Vitello as the man who would assume the position as the most unique manager in major league history.

As you surely know, until now, Vitello has had no experience managing or coaching in professional baseball. His sterling record as a college coach at Tennessee, including a national championship, and no less his support from Giants general manager Buster Posey are the reasons he has been chosen.

The how and why, while fascinating to long-time baseball buffs, are insignificant. What matters in baseball, as in all pro sports, is winning.

That detail will depend more on the individuals who work for him, the players, than perhaps Vitello, not that the person in control doesn’t have a great effect on results.

Baseball is different. While leadership is required, there are no deep pass routes or zone defenses to be created and utilized. The game is basically a group of individuals going about their business, whether batting, fielding, or hitting. Not that a feeling of unity is unimportant.

While a Shohei Ohtani or Vlad Guerrero Jr. may go about their business apparently on their own, inevitably, they play better when they feel better. That is where the manager comes in.  Unquestionably, the best teams have the best players, and no advice will turn a .120 hitter into a .240 hitter. Still, a manager can add to a team’s success through his teaching, persuasion, and general understanding of both the athlete and the sport. 

The modern ball player certainly is more sophisticated than his predecessors of decades past, mostly college-educated and very aware. That was why the Giants broke precedent and chose a path that surely will be followed in the coming months.

The question from some skeptics is whether a major league baseball player will pay attention to the words of someone who hasn’t played professionally at any level, or managed at any pro level.

Vitello, 47, leaving a unique program at the University of Tennessee, where he won the 2024 College World Series, the first national championship in the school’s history, was unpretentious in his remarks during the media conference at Oracle Park.

“I never dreamed of being a major league baseball player,” said Vitello. “I don’t know why. My skill level wasn’t very high. I think it was just so far about the clouds that I never even saw it.  And for me as a coach, I was just kind of trying to make my way.”

He's made it to the bigs. Now will the Giants be able to make it to the World Series, in which this year the dreaded Dodgers are involved—if trailing 3 games to 2 to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vitello made no promises or predictions as understandable. But he comprehends what had been accomplished in San Francisco’s glory years. 

“I’m fully aware of the tradition that’s here and the excellence that’s been brought by managers like (Bruce) Bochy, and Dusty Baker, the toughness from guys like (Madison) Baumgarner and (Sergio) Romo, the records that have been set by guys like (Willie) Mays and (Tim) Lincecum.”

What is important now for San Francisco is the record that will belong to Tony Vitello.