"Never before has a coach gone directly from the college ranks to the major leagues with no prior experience, but Tony Vitello will do exactly that when he is introduced as the Giants' next manager at Oracle Park next Thursday. The club announced the groundbreaking hire Wednesday, three weeks after president of baseball operations Buster Posey decided to fire Bob Melvin."
"Whether that translates to the big leagues remains to be seen, but Vitello has gotten plenty of votes of confidence from those who know him. He makes you want to go to the field everyday, said Blake Burke, the Oakland-born first baseman on Vitello's 2024 title team at Tennessee. You go there, and you have fun. There's just something in the air when you go to the field. The culture is great."
Tony Vitello will become the San Francisco Giants' 40th manager, moving directly from college coaching to the major leagues without any prior professional playing or coaching experience. The Giants hired Vitello three weeks after Buster Posey fired Bob Melvin, seeking a different voice and direction. Vitello, 47, built a winning culture at Tennessee, turning a downtrodden program into a perennial contender and winning the 2024 College World Series. Former player Blake Burke praised Vitello's ability to create enthusiasm and a strong culture. Observers expressed confidence in Vitello's methods but noted uncertainty about how his collegiate success will translate to the big leagues.
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