San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello has been spending a lot of time reflecting on his team’s rough start to the season. After a frustrating 3-7 record through the first 10 games, Vitello finds himself dissecting every decision made, both on the field and off.
The Giants’ struggles were highlighted by their third straight loss on Sunday, a game where Vitello was ejected for the first time in his career after arguing a call involving Jerar Encarnación running inside the designated lane on his way to first base.
A Frustrating Start
Vitello, known for his energy and passion, acknowledged that his mind is often preoccupied with the team’s performance, even when he’s with family or at dinner.
“At 3-7 and how yesterday went, I didn’t think yesterday was the proper time for me to go gallivanting around San Francisco,” he said. “I was in my condo the whole night, thinking about it more than anything else.”
The Giants’ record is tied for their second-worst start through 10 games since moving to San Francisco in 1958. Their minus-25 run differential is the worst mark for the team through 10 games since 1896. The pressure is mounting, and Vitello understands the importance of turning things around quickly.
The Role of Mistakes and Learning
Vitello noted that the team’s mistakes are magnified in the early part of the season, especially when players are trying too hard to win. “We’re trying so hard, it’s probably something that everybody’s been a little guilty of,” he explained. “When you’re trying to win games as hard as possible, sometimes it contradicts what your end goal is.”
Third baseman Matt Chapman echoed Vitello’s sentiment, acknowledging the frustration of making sloppy mistakes. Despite the struggles, Chapman remains optimistic that the Giants can turn things around, especially with plenty of time left in the season.
“It sucks when it looks like it’s sloppy baseball,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s going to be something that’s going to be the story of our season.”
Vitello’s Ejection and Past Experiences
Vitello’s ejection in Sunday’s game stemmed from a controversial call involving a play he had a lot of history with. He explained after the game that his frustration came from more than just the call itself. “I’ve got a ton of history with that play,” he said.
“Lost a game to Lipscomb on that play, lost the game to Oklahoma State in a Big 12 championship on that play.” Vitello’s competitive nature was on full display, as he shared his experience from his time coaching in the college ranks, where similar plays had significant consequences.
Support for Vitello
Despite the early struggles, Vitello has earned respect from his players and coaches. Harrison Bader, who has had a rough start to the season at the plate, expressed confidence in his manager.
“Listen, Tony’s great, I like Tony, he’s cool,” Bader said. “He won at a really high level in the SEC. He’s familiar with winning and what it looks like to help players win.”
Vitello knows he has a lot to learn at the major league level, but he’s committed to improving the team. “From Day 1, I acknowledged I would be learning on the fly,” he said. “There’s going to be ups and downs, but we’ll get better.”
Looking Ahead
The Giants are hoping to get back on track starting Monday, as they face the Philadelphia Phillies. Vitello and his team will need to rally and overcome the early-season obstacles to turn their season around.
