Tony Vitello Named Giants Manager

The San Francisco Giants will formally introduce Tony Vitello as the club’s 40th manager on Thursday, presenting him his first professional jersey after delaying the news conference so it would not overshadow the World Series. Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey announced the hiring and said Vitello will replace Bob Melvin. The move is unprecedented: Vitello is the first manager hired directly from the college ranks with no prior professional coaching experience. Vitello called leaving Tennessee agonizing but “selfish,” said he had support from his coaches and players, and leaves a dominant run (341–131, three College World Series appearances and the 2024 national title) and a nearly completed $100 million stadium renovation. He expressed frustration about the media frenzy around the process. The Giants, coming off an 81–81 season and four straight years out of the playoffs, are entrusting him to lead the team’s rebuild.