Tony Vitello keeps cranking out memorable quotes as SF Giants try to get back on track

The SF Giants have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games and while it's felt like the wheels are falling off the bus at times, the team did pull out a series win against the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. Through it all, Giants manager Tony Vitello is trying to keep a level head and assert his authority all while cranking out memorable quotes in the process.

Before the win against the Padres on May 5, Vitello was asked about how he is dealing with veterans who are slumping. This was specifically in reference to Matt Chapman and Willy Adames.

"I made it clear in spring training that I won't bat an eye if someone comes in and says I need a day off... I really don't care, I'll move on to the next best guy," said Vitello. "I think it's time to leave the dugout if you don't think the guy's we got rolling on that particular day or the starter that day can get it done, we might as well go across the street and have some margaritas."

Vitello's way with words have at least made postgame pressers interesting

Vitello went on to say that he would rather deal with the problem of navigating his next man up mentality, instead of what would be forcing struggling vets to go out and continue to struggle.

This is a smart move from a rookie manager. He is taking control of the dugout and sending the message that he is the one who makes the lineup, and he is going to try to do his best with what he is given. Giants play-by-play announcer shared some interesting perspective on the more aggressive approach we have seen from Vitello recently.

"Tony has decided that he waited a little to long to really assert himself as the manager of this team. I think you're seeing a more assertive guy right now who's going to be willing to manage within the game much more aggressively," said Flemming.

What we have seen in the past week confirmed what Flemming said on how Vitello would coach moving forward.

Flemming was responding to Vitello's decision to sit Chapman in favor of Casey Schmitt. It's a very clear message to bench an ice-cold veteran for a homegrown rookie who has the best bat on the team right now. Vitello made his message clear that he won't bend the knee to how big a player's contract is. This should be a signal to fans giving Vitello grief for the team's atrocious start that he is team oriented, and in fact not to blame.

With the rookie call ups, and now the Patrick Bailey trade, The team is obviously oriented in the long term even if they want to win now. While it's hard to see right now, Buster Posey has made big moves that he seems to think will benefit the team in the long run.

"I know a lot about this organization and the fan base, and there's a lot of fans that probably at this point have had too much frustration, more than they deserve, or too much heartbreak, I feel like we're in debt to them," said Vitello.

From every presser he has done it's clear Vitello has had the same mindset of bringing a winning culture back to San Fransisco even if the record doesn't reflects this. After Saturday night's blowout loss to the Pirates, Vitello shared sympathies with the fans who were heard booing.

"Maybe your walls are painted orange & black and this is the team your whole family for generations has supported, you got a lot invested. So you want something in return," said Vitello. " It got to the point where it wasn't an acceptable effort."

It's clear Vitello isn't shying away from the reality of this season, and it will be interesting to watch how he responds the rest of the way. He used the Shawshank Redemption as a way to put the start of the season in perspective.

"Andy Dufresne had to swim through a lot of poo to come out on the other side and see the sunshine… maybe that’s us,” said Vitello. What other big league manager would say something like that?

Whether it's oddly-timed Tiger Woods references or stories about Dave Chappelle, you never know what you're going to get from Vitello. His pressers have been more entertaining than the product on the field at times so at least he's made this team interesting despite the early struggles.

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