Tony Vitello to SF Giants (Confirmed)

[patrick]

I actually found some of Danny’s answers today to be concerning for reasons about more than just baseball. It was basically a peel-back-the-curtain moment into how Danny runs his department and it was a bit shocking to learn some of the details.

Exactly!

 

[Godfatha]

Tony's no peach as an employee, I am sure. He is strong-willed to be certain. The biggest issue is that Danny White is not emotionally invested in any of this. He's a bean counter and cares only about the bottom line. He admitted he had no relationship at all with any of the assistant coaches on campus (breaks protocol...lol), and doesn't deal much with head coaches (at least Tony).

Tony's issue with Danny is probably less to do with their personal relationship, which sounds very surface-level, at best, and more about how White runs the AD and specifically his baseball program. Sadly, that is likely a preview of how MLB organizations are run and he'll not be any happier in SF, especially if he isn't winning.

The situation reminds me of a construction crew that I once had. They were a little higher maintenance, took a little more to make them happy, but they performed and were one of the best crews I’ve ever had. So I developed a relationship with them, listened to their concerns, and did my best to address them. They rewarded me by working hard for me and producing. Sometimes people who are really good at their job require a bit more personal interaction.

 

[GAVol]

The truth is whatever you want to believe around here

People are losing their minds. That’s for sure.

 

[Ritzwatch]

If TV had a great relationship with DW, do you think he would have told SF to take a hike?

Yes, I do.

 

[05_never_again]

DW could care less about what we want one way or the other. He's going to do what he wants

That is 100% why I said the more he's pushed into a particular direction by people, the more likely it is that he goes another direction.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Yep, lots of concern to be taken from his own words on more levels than just baseball.

He would have been wise to not have a press conference today. Maybe he should have taken his own advice and texted a buddy while he cooled down. You could tell he was defensive and some of his own words are going to be used against him now by his competitors.

 

[Christian Lowe]

So… What’s the truth here?

Honestly it's hard to say, Bob Nightengale is who said he took a pay cut, and he's not exactly a bad source. He's a MLB lifer in the media.

 

[Danny Dollars]

FYI for those who care about how LSU is doing it: their Baseball team is also in the "other" category with Rev Share

LSU will pay athletes $20.5 million over the next year. Here's how the Tigers plan to do it.

Here's the inside story on why the House settlement may be "really, really favorable to LSU."

www.nola.com

 

[tn4elvis]

Athletic directors are charged with turning a profit vs. putting successful programs on the field? You can be profitable while being ****** if you keep your expenses low enough. Think LSU is cutting baseball because it teeters on marginally profitable to in the red, depending on the year?

Lsu may be the only college team to actually turn a modest profit in baseball. It’s just not a revenue stream producing sport. It may become one with its soaring popularity and espn + coverage. I totally understand Tony and Danny’s view point on revenue sharing. It’s a tough decision where to allocate the money. The lady Vols have a huge following and are one of the few women’s teams that can stand almost break even or turn a profit when they are good. Baseball in its best year lost four million. What cannot be underestimated is Tony’s influence on campus and his support of all Tennessee athletic teams. He is a rare talent that actually cares about people.

 

[cncchris33]

Ultimately, I think it was a non-factor in the context of TV being offered the Giants job.

If TV left Tennessee for any other college program, or for a bad MLB franchise, then I'd be right there with the crowd pinning all or most of this on DW.

If DW and TV had a bad relationship, ultimately I think that is both of their faults, although as I said in my previous post if it is up to one of them to be the bigger person and back down, then that's the AD's job. For multiple reasons.

Absolutely it was non-factor in Tony being offered the job by SF. The Giants couldn't care less about that relationship.

And to be clear, I'm not pinning all or most of this on White. I'm pinning SOME of it on him, whatever percentage that is.

 

[volfan411]

Women's basketball lost a cool $7 million loss in Fiscal Year 2023-2024......

Baseball had a loss of $3.2 million loss in 2024 Fiscal Year......

So let’s give LVB more in revenue sharing. Make it make sense!!

 

[volsagain]

did you stop to think maybe women's basketball makes more than the baseball team does?

The numbers I seen posted were WBB lost 7 mil. and BB Lost 3.7 2024 . They are or were both on a incline in the right direction.

 

[AthensVol2007]

Burke sure does seem to want it. Have heard him (tongue in cheek, I guess, but still) say he'd want an interview on two shows today.

Do what? He explicitly said on Basilio his choice would be Elander leading it and staff staying intact. Said he’d only field the call if the current staff wasn’t in play.

 

[preacherman20]

Lsu may be the only college team to actually turn a modest profit in baseball. It’s just not a revenue stream producing sport. It may become one with its soaring popularity and espn + coverage. I totally understand Tony and Danny’s view point on revenue sharing. It’s a tough decision where to allocate the money. The lady Vols have a huge following and are one of the few women’s teams that can stand almost break even or turn a profit when they are good. Baseball in its best year lost four million. What cannot be underestimated is Tony’s influence on campus and his support of all Tennessee athletic teams. He is a rare talent that actually cares about people.

But with all the complaining that we seem to do look at the price of a ticket or a season ticket at LSU

 

[GAVol]

Honestly it's hard to say, Bob Nightengale is who said he took a pay cut, and he's not exactly a bad source. He's a MLB lifer in the media.

That’s exactly the tweet I saw right before the one I posted. I guess details will get reported eventually.

 

[05_never_again]

Absolutely it was non-factor in Tony being offered the job by SF. The Giants couldn't care less about that relationship.

And to be clear, I'm not pinning all or most of this on White. I'm pinning SOME of it on him, whatever percentage that is.

You misunderstood what I said. I'm saying the poor relationship was a "non-factor" because I think TV was taking this particular job even if he and DW were tight.

If TV was offered, say, the Texas A&M job, or the Florida Marlins job, and he accepted, then the poor relationship probably would be a factor. Those are jobs that if you are on better terms with your boss you probably turn down. You don't turn down the SF Giants job even if you love your current boss.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

So… What’s the truth here?

I find it hard to believe he wouldn't make more in MLB.

 

[Christian Lowe]

Do what? He explicitly said on Basilio his choice would be Elander leading it and staff staying intact. Said he’d only field the call if the current staff wasn’t in play.

I should've worded it better, but it was a comment meant to go with what I said earlier about if it's not Elander, then I'd take Burke over Mingione from UK.. and in that context, if it wouldn't be elander, then Burke wants it. Sorry if that doesn't make sense.

 

[Flogballs]

Lsu may be the only college team to actually turn a modest profit in baseball. It’s just not a revenue stream producing sport. It may become one with its soaring popularity and espn + coverage. I totally understand Tony and Danny’s view point on revenue sharing. It’s a tough decision where to allocate the money. The lady Vols have a huge following and are one of the few women’s teams that can stand almost break even or turn a profit when they are good. Baseball in its best year lost four million. What cannot be underestimated is Tony’s influence on campus and his support of all Tennessee athletic teams. He is a rare talent that actually cares about people.

Being objective on the subject (despite personally being a MUCH bigger baseball fan) on its surface it seems obvious in terms of investment given the return in revenue.

People describe DW as a bean counter which I take as a complement. The AD shouldn’t be making emotional decisions

 

[Vols1966]

In an attempt to lighten the mood here is a fun question that they just ask on Southeastern 16 as they were discussing TV. They are sad to see him leave the SEC.

Question…how many games into the MLB season before Tony gets tossed out of a game?

Their response was he might do it game 1 just to prove a point. lol

 

[taylorvol]

I want Elander, I'm sorry.

I think Elander would be the best choice for several reasons. I’m just stating that I bet DW goes after a big name especially since he named FA as interim coach. He should have named Elander as interim but DW admitted he doesn’t have a relationship with him. DW said Elander be under consideration for head coach. Doesn’t seem genuine to me…

 

[GAVol]

I find it hard to believe he wouldn't make more in MLB.

I find it hard to believe it’s even close. Otherwise a move from Knoxville to the Bay Area cost of living and state income tax would make zero sense.

 

[zjcvols]

I hate to answer a question with a question, but If it were such a no-brainer, why has it taken 5 days to accept?

I hate to give you a question to your question, but if the relationship was so bad with DW, then why take 5 days to make a decision to leave or not? If you hate your boss that much, getting a promotion and you're getting a pay raise, should be a no-brainer, right?

 

[CAVPUT]

What's your message to Volnation who isn't happy?

" I don't know. We won a national championship and a lot of games. We should be happy for him. This isn't a sad day. It's a proud day."

My message is don't treat Vol baseball fans like we're stupid. Look, the bottom line for me is that with the NIL diversion along with the snails pace the stadium reno is moving at, Danny White and the admin have made it crystal clear that baseball is not a priority. It's simply not important to them. If they don't care about it, then why the heck should I?

As for the replacement, I'd be shocked if it's not Elander. Let's be honest here. Every college baseball coach has undoubtedly seen the social media and watched a beloved and super successful coach in Vitello choose to walk away. They know exactly why he chose to leave. Why would a high profile, successful coach leave his current gig and walk into a job where you're in the toughest league and working with a fraction of the allotment your competitors have? He'd be at a huge disadvantage from the jump. No one is that stupid.

I wish Elander all the best, but it's an impossible situation for him to follow a guy like Vitello under these circumstances.

And even if white comes in and throws and obscene amount of money to the NIL or the replacement, it won't make this right. He drove Vitello to San Fran and that's his legacy with me and always will be.

 

[turdherder11]

I guess if you wanna coach to leave.....just cut their % of the revenue sharing? Either they'll leave or fail. Im not sure if that's how it works or not.