‘You don’t normally have a manager that’s doing stuff like that’ — Giants players get honest about Tony Vitello at spring training
The former Vols head coach has already made a positive impact on his players in San Francisco.
Tony Vitello has never been one to lack energy or enthusiasm in the clubhouse, on the field, or in the media during his time as the Tennessee Volunteers’ head coach. That energy always seemed to carry over to his players, who brought that energy and swagger on the field night in and night out.
It’s a coaching style that was rather unconventional, but made Vitello beloved among Tennessee players and fans, while becoming loathed by rivals.
It seems few things have changed with Vitello’s jump from college baseball to the Major Leagues. The San Francisco Giants are in their first week of spring training, and a number of players were asked by KPIX reporter Matt Lively about the energy and vibe that Vitello has brought to the Giants’ clubhouse.
The answers left no doubt that Vitello’s style hasn’t changed one bit.
Giants players seem to be embracing Tony Vitello’s energetic managerial style
“I mean, it’s a college frat house,” pitcher Matt Gage said. “It’s great to me. Honestly, it’s just one of those things where it’s like every day you want to show up to the field again. You always have that when spring training starts, but with Tony, it’s gonna be one of those things where you want to show up to the field every day to play for the guy.”
“A lot of energy,” Giants ace Logan Webb said. “You can tell he’s very competitive. He’s out there doing PFP’s (pitcher fielding practice) with us, also very competitive during that and really trying to make us work. So, I think it’s really good.”
“He’s out there taking PFP’s with us,” pitcher Robbie Ray added. “He’s out there. You don’t normally have a manager that’s doing stuff like that. He’s out there shagging BP’s (batting practice). He’s out there doing things that are a little bit unconventional, but it’s great. He’s out there with us. He’s in the grind with us, and it’s unique for sure.”
“I think everyone in here can tell you that he fires the boys up pretty easily,” said first baseman Bryce Eldridge. “You can tell he’s a player’s coach. You can kind of have that almost, like, teammate relationship with him, but there’s that fine line of respect where you don’t cross that line, and we have a lot of respect for him.”
Those things all seem to fit with who Vitello was in Knoxville. Full of energy. Unorthodox. Easy to rally behind. Truly a player’s coach.
It worked extremely well at the college level with Tennessee. It remains to be seen if that will translate over to the Major Leagues and a 162-game season.
But there’s little doubt that his managerial style and personality already have the attention, in a positive way, of his players in the Bay Area.
