Tony Vitello is taking any criticism regarding his historic MLB hire in stride.

The new Giants manager spoke with The San Francisco Standard’s John Shea at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas, and was asked about the viral comments former manager Joe Maddon made on KNBR 680 earlier this week, where he stated he was “insulted” by Vitello, with no major-league coaching experience, landing San Francisco’s managerial position.

“I get it. I just wonder if he’ll still take my call, because he was on my list of people that I wanted to call and seek out advice,” Vitello said of Maddon’s remarks. “There’s a couple of very specific reasons for that with his history. So I wonder if he’ll still take that call. I’ve used him as an example often in recruiting. One thing we did at Tennessee was really try to allow guys to be who they are. That kind of became our brand name, and that’s something that he did with the Cubs in particular.”

Vitello then was asked if he was offended by Maddon’s comments.

“Not at the moment,” Vitello said. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. For me as I sit here, if it truly is an insult, then that is a segue to saying it’s not going to work. So if it doesn’t work, the Giants will be just fine. I’ll be the one that suffers in that situation.

“You start with, “What is going on in college baseball that can help in pro baseball?” And then you go back to college with, “Hey, this is what I learned in pro baseball.” Regardless, it’s a beneficial situation for some people in baseball, and you’re talking about a guy who’s done an enormous amount in baseball in Joe.”

Maddon, in explaining why he was “insulted” by the Giants hiring Vitello, also wished the first-time MLB manager well and admitted he understood what made Vitello such an intriguing candidate.

Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper also weighed in on Maddon’s remarks, slyly stating that he was insulted by Maddon being insulted.

While others are insulted, it doesn’t appear Vitello is one bit. And perhaps that’s all that matters.

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