"The relationship, which Vitello described as "sincere and almost sweet," has only grown from there. Multiple phone calls. Text messages back and forth. Besides Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, who are both employed by the Giants, Vitello said La Russa has taught him the ropes more than anyone in his transition from the University of Tennessee to a major-league dugout."
""You can see he's got a feel for the game and he's a natural winner, but there's a relationship aspect there, how much people appreciate how he impacts their lives. I never thought I'd be one of those guys," Vitello said. "Just that personal connection he has with people. Because he's gone well out of his way to help me.""
Tony Vitello gained access to Tony La Russa's phone number after being hired as the Giants' manager and has used it often. La Russa contacts come about once every couple of weeks and feature in-depth conversations rather than surface-level remarks. Vitello scrambled to find a paper plate to scribble notes during early calls and later digitized those notes. The relationship has expanded into multiple phone calls and text messages, with La Russa providing significant guidance during Vitello's move from the University of Tennessee to a major-league dugout. La Russa learned of Vitello through Buster Posey and has been personally engaged in mentoring him.
Read at The Mercury News
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