SF Giants Manager Tony Vitello Stands Firm After Addressing Controversial Comments!
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — In a move that surprised many, SF Giants manager Tony Vitello kicked off his media session on Tuesday by directly addressing the stir his remarks from the previous day had caused regarding his departure from the University of Tennessee. He seemed unfazed, projecting an air of confidence and a focus on the present.
"You have to be selective about the battles you pick," Vitello stated, implying that some issues aren't worth the energy. He continued, "It's not a big deal to me. You can't alter what's happened, and no one will persuade me that my actions were inappropriate. My focus is on baseball; the past is behind me."
He reiterated that his previous day's comments were simply part of an ongoing dialogue he'd prefer to have regularly with the media. "It doesn't change the fact that Tennessee has a strong team with excellent leadership, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined the most winning organization in MLB history, statistically speaking."
But here's where it gets interesting... Vitello's media availability on Monday began unexpectedly with him airing his grievances for about three minutes concerning the circumstances of his final days as Tennessee's head coach. This unprompted outpouring of emotion set the stage for Tuesday's clarifications.
It's worth noting that on October 18th, a mere four days before his official hiring by the Giants, The Athletic reported that the team was "closing in" on Vitello as their 40th manager. Crucially, this report did not state that he had already been hired.
When informed that the initial report didn't explicitly state he hadn't been hired yet, Vitello's response was a rather emphatic, "I'm not throwing this water bottle at anybody." He admitted to not having read any of the reporting from that day.
And this is the part most people miss... The rookie manager was then pressed for more clarity on a particularly enigmatic comment he made on Monday: "Somebody tweeted it out. I don’t know who told them. I wish I did. It might’ve changed the course of history if I would’ve known who did, to be honest with you."
On Tuesday, Vitello explained this remark, saying, "Maybe it was about how things were left. I wouldn't take what I say too seriously. We were discussing Lil Wayne yesterday, after all. I believe the facts of the situation are precisely what I've stated. Anyone else would have reacted the same way. It had no real bearing on the opportunity that came my way, and it wouldn't have altered the agreement Buster [Posey] and I made to join forces. It was simply circumstantial."
He further elaborated, "When it affects the people around me, not just myself, but those I interact with daily, it was less than ideal circumstances, though the overall situation is pretty ideal. Heck, yesterday, I even said I'd pay good money to watch [Rafael] Devers and Robbie Ray go at it for one at-bat if I were just outside the park and allowed to pay for entry."
Vitello mentioned that he hadn't received any feedback from players or front office staff regarding his comments, stating he didn't believe he said anything surprising and was merely "stating the facts." When asked why he chose to air his grievances on Monday, he simply replied, "Maybe something brought it up."
"It's always better to get things off your chest than to let them fester," he mused. "While everyone knows I'm Italian, I'm also Irish, so I'm pretty good at burying things deep down inside."
When questioned about his resilience, Vitello listed renowned college coaches like Augie Garrido and Dave Van Horn as having "thicker skin than I do," without directly answering whether he considered himself to have a thick skin. He attributed his tendency to avoid reading everything partly to a deliberate strategy and partly to his demanding schedule.
MLBPA Executive Director Expected to Resign
In other news, Tony Clark, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), is reportedly expected to step down, according to The Athletic. Clark's potential departure comes at a critical juncture, approximately 10 months before the expiration of Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement on December 1st at 11:59 p.m. ET. This timing suggests a potentially prolonged labor dispute that could lead to the loss of regular-season games.
Clark, 53, and the union have been under federal investigation by the Eastern District of New York since last year. The investigation centers on allegations of improper use of licensing money by MLBPA officials.
Dominic Smith Signs Minor League Deal with Atlanta Braves
First baseman Dominic Smith, who previously played for the Giants, has inked a one-year minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves, announced on Tuesday morning. Smith, 30, had joined San Francisco on a one-year major-league deal last June as part of Buster Posey's midseason roster adjustments, a move that also saw LaMonte Wade Jr. designated for assignment.
During his 63 games with the Giants, Smith posted a respectable .284 batting average, a .333 on-base percentage, and a .417 slugging percentage, with five home runs. One of these memorable homers was a Splash Hit into San Francisco Bay, marking the 107th such occurrence in Oracle Park history.
Smith's final contribution as a Giant occurred on September 12th when he sustained a right hamstring injury while stretching to catch a throw from third baseman Matt Chapman. This selfless act helped San Francisco preserve a crucial 1-0 lead in a pivotal game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
What are your thoughts on managers speaking out about past situations? Do you believe Vitello's comments were justified, or do you think he should have kept them to himself? Share your opinions in the comments below!
