The Giants began the 2026 MLB season on a rough note with a 7-0 Opening Night loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday at Oracle Park. 

Although Tony Vitello’s Giants regular-season managerial debut resulted in a defeat, San Francisco’s clubhouse remains confident in its new leader.

“He’s been great,” third baseman Matt Chapman told reporters following the game. “Obviously, we wanted to win today for a number of reasons, and it would’ve been cool to get Tony that first win on Opening Day, but it didn’t happen.

“But the thing that Tony has been great with us is that he does bring a lot of energy. He’s the same guy every day, and we’ll be ready to answer the bell on Friday.”

Vitello made MLB history by becoming the first person to make the direct jump from a college head coaching job to an MLB managerial position without any prior playing or coaching experience in the big leagues.

“He knows winning baseball,” Chapman also stated. “He doesn’t have professional experience, but he came in and kind of hit the ground running. And for guys that have been around for a long time, we’re on board with everything he’s doing, and it seems like he’s been here before, even though he hasn’t.

“That’s why Buster [Posey] picked him, and we fully expect you guys to see throughout the course of the season why he’s here.”

Before becoming the new Giants manager, Vitello transformed a University of Tennessee baseball program into a national powerhouse, compiling a 341-131 record in eight coaching seasons.

Vitello also helped the Volunteers win their first baseball national championship during the 2024 NCAA season and coached several MLB players, such as Drew Gilbert and Garrett Crochet.

As the current Giants manager, Vitello is looking to translate his experience coaching in college into the majors and hopefully bring back a championship culture in San Francisco.

With veterans such as Chapman and Willy Adames buying in on Vitello steering the ship alongside a reputable coaching staff, the Giants are in a prime position to succeed this season and beyond.

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