The San Francisco Giants introduced Tony Vitello as their new manager, signing him from the University of Tennessee with a three-year, $3.5 million per season contract, plus a playoff-related vesting option for 2029. The move involves significant costs, including buyout and dead money from previous contracts, totaling around $10.5 million in the first year. The Giants considered multiple candidates, including Nick Hundley, Vance Wilson, Kurt Suzuki, and Brandon Hyde, with Vitello now assembling his coaching staff and potentially bringing back former coach Antoan Richardson.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello is leaving to manage the San Francisco Giants, becoming the first college coach with no MLB experience to make the jump. UT Athletic Director Danny White congratulated Vitello, highlighting his achievements including a national championship and multiple SEC titles, and emphasized ongoing investments in the program. Vitello's departure marks a significant transition for Tennessee baseball after a highly successful eight-year tenure.
The San Francisco Giants have hired college baseball coach Tony Vitello as their new manager, marking his first professional baseball role after a successful career at Tennessee, where he led the team to a national title and developed numerous MLB players. The move is part of the Giants' effort to bring new energy and stability to the franchise.
Tony Vitello, the successful college baseball coach from Tennessee, is finalizing a deal to become the San Francisco Giants' manager, marking a rare direct transition from college to Major League Baseball without prior professional coaching experience, with the Giants hoping his energetic approach and recruiting success translate to the majors.
Buster Posey has made an unprecedented move by hiring Tennessee's Tony Vitello to manage the Giants, signaling a significant change in their management approach.
The San Francisco Giants are close to hiring Tony Vitello, the successful college baseball coach from Tennessee, as their new manager, marking a bold move given his lack of professional coaching experience. The decision is expected within 24 to 72 hours, and this hire represents a significant shift for the franchise, which has struggled with stability and success in recent years.
Tennessee baseball, the No. 1 national seed, will host Evansville in the super regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Evansville, making its first super regional appearance, advanced by winning the Greenville Regional and the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Key players include freshman pitcher Kenton Deverman and experienced hitters like Kip Fougerousse and Mark Shallenberger. Game times and TV schedules are yet to be announced.
A heated exchange occurred between Tennessee and Mississippi State during a baseball game, involving coaches and players from both teams. The umpires intervened to prevent further escalation. Tennessee's coach Tony Vitello and players, as well as Mississippi State's coach Chris Lemonis, shared their perspectives on the incident, emphasizing respect among players despite the tension.
Tennessee baseball pitcher Chase Dollander was selected as the No. 9 overall pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 2023 MLB Draft, marking the highest-drafted player in the Tony Vitello era. The Vols could potentially have four players picked between rounds 3-10, and the team has had a total of 28 players drafted since Vitello's hiring in 2017. Dollander, who had a successful career with the Vols, was named the SEC pitcher of the year in 2022 and finished with a 3.64 ERA and a 17-6 record.
Tennessee baseball star Chase Burns plans to enter the transfer portal after two seasons in Knoxville. Tennessee coach Tony Vitello discussed Burns’ departure and said that they have known about it for a while. Burns spent the first season and a half of his collegiate career as a weekend starter before being bumped to the bullpen at the midway point in SEC play. Burns will have suitors across the country, and the question for Tennessee is whether Burns stays in the SEC or departs to a different conference.
Tennessee baseball pitcher Chase Burns has entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Vols. Burns is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and is one of the most coveted players in the portal. He went 13-5 with a 3.54 ERA at Tennessee and proved himself to be a dominant reliever as a sophomore after a terrific freshman campaign as a starter. Burns struggled starting in his second season and eventually was moved to the bullpen midway through SEC play.
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello mentioned the proud tradition of Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt after securing his first win in the College World Series against Stanford. Vitello emphasized the importance of the team's theme of "keep moving forward" and the desire to play together as a driving force for their success. The team is seeking redemption after dropping their first game in the CWS and is focused on continuing to move forward together.
Tennessee baseball is set to face LSU in their opening game of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The Vols are looking for their first win in the tournament since 2001, having gone 0-2 in both 2005 and 2021. The team lost a regular-season series against LSU in April, but reached the College World Series by winning the Clemson Regional and the Hattiesburg Super Regional.
Former Tennessee Vol and NFL legend Peyton Manning teamed up with Tennessee Baseball and head coach Tony Vitello to create a funny video for Vol fans excited about the Men's College World Series in Omaha. Manning previously taught Vitello the right way to say "Omaha" before the 2021 series. Tennessee will compete in the Men's College World Series on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET against LSU.
Tennessee baseball defeated Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Super Regional, earning a spot in the College World Series. Southern Miss coach Scott Berry praised Tony Vitello and his program, while also acknowledging the strong pitching performances by Tennessee's staff. Southern Miss players also spoke highly of Tennessee's ability to capitalize on mistakes and string together hits.
