Tony Vitello (Image Credits: Imagn)

'Might Ban Me For Any More Meetings' – Tony Vitello Sets The Tone For San Francisco Giants During First Workout

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Feb 11, 2026 11:20 AM ET

The San Francisco Giants started a new era last season with Buster Posey as their new president of baseball operations, but the team disappointed once again to finish outside a playoff berth. The Giants parted company with veteran manager Bob Melvin and appointed Tony Vitello as his replacement. They hope Vitello can translate his success from college baseball to the MLB.

Tony Vitello joked that his players might not allow him to enter the clubhouse again after giving a long and passionate speech on his first day as the manager of the San Francisco Giants. The 47-year-old stated that he wanted to make a strong first impression. Nevertheless, he is happy with everything he has seen from the team so far.

“Hopefully it didn’t sound like a speech, more of a conversation,” Tony Vitello told reporters from the Giants’ spring training facility in Scottsdale, Arizona. “But it’s a much bigger group than you’re used to, from my level. But I think the guys are excited, as they should be on Day 1. Everyone was locked in.

Tony Vitello begins his first MLB Spring Training pic.twitter.com/5cd4CEFZI6
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) February 10, 2026

“I rambled today, so the guys might ban me for any more meetings before this thing is over, but you want to set a vibe for what you want your team to be.”

Despite making a slight improvement from 2024, San Francisco failed to earn a postseason berth for the fourth straight year. They finished 12 games behind the division leaders. The Giants ended last season on an 81-81 record to take third place in the National League West.

Tony Vitello’s Speech Impresses Logan Webb

Logan Webb (Image Credits: Imagn)

Logan Webb, the San Francisco Giants ace, is impressed by the speech Tony Vitello gave after pitchers and catchers reported for spring training on Tuesday. Webb said the words from the new Giants manager oozed a strong desire to win, which he wants to instill into the entire team.

“It took me one day to feel like wow, this is my guy. I can go talk to him about anything. It’s exciting.”

Tony Vitello has plenty to say and learn as camp opens. A look inside how it’s going: https://t.co/A6DbZNujtQ
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) February 11, 2026

“I thought it was great,” Webb told the media. “A lot of energy. You can tell there’s a lot of competitive spirit in him. He just wants to win. That’s pretty much what his message was. He wants us to all feel the way he feels. I think it’s a great message.”

Vitello arrives in San Francisco after spending eight years as the head coach of the University of Tennessee baseball team. He led the Tennessee Volunteers to five NCAA regionals, four NCAA super-regionals, and three College World Series appearances. Tony Vitello helped the Volunteers win their first College World Series championship in 2024.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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