By JANIE McCAULEY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Struggles in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Recently, Tony Vitello has found himself apologizing to his family for the San Francisco Giants’ performance. When they go out to eat, it’s clear that his mind is primarily focused on baseball.
Frustrating Start for the New Manager
The new Giants manager is grappling with a challenging start, recording a disappointing 3-8 record as he transitions from college coaching to the major leagues. After suffering their third consecutive loss, Vitello reflected on the game in which he was ejected for the first time in his career due to a dispute over a call in the seventh inning.
Deep Reflection and Ongoing Challenges
With little distraction after Sunday’s game, Vitello dedicated time to analyze what went wrong. The Giants faced another defeat on Monday night, allowing a four-run lead to slip away against the Philadelphia Phillies, culminating in a 6-4 loss.
Commitment to Improvement
“At 3-7 and after yesterday’s outcome, I felt it wasn’t the time to be out in San Francisco, so I stayed in,” Vitello remarked. He shared his regret about the impact on his family during dinner, indicating that his mind often drifts back to the game.
Learning from Mistakes
Before starting a series against the Phillies, Vitello spoke with third baseman Matt Chapman about a costly mistake made during a recent game against the Mets. Vitello understands that these errors could become significant as the season progresses and admits the team is trying hard to win, which may be counterproductive at times.
Historical Context of the Struggles
As of Monday, the Giants had a minus-25 run differential, the worst for the franchise in over a century. Their 3-7 record also ties for one of the poorest starts since moving to San Francisco in 1958.
Hope for the Future
Chapman expressed hope that positive developments could help the team gain momentum in the competitive NL West. He acknowledged the current struggles but believes they won’t define their season. Vitello, facing challenges from his past coaching experiences, remains passionate and ready to learn.
