Dusty Baker’s role as special advisor to the San Francisco Giants isn’t ceremonial. It will be even more relevant in 2026.
Tony Vitello isn’t just a first-time manager. He’s a first-time professional in every form. He’s never played in pro baseball or coached in pro baseball. He’s a grand experiment, authored by president of baseball operations Buster Posey and general manager Zack Minasian.
Whether he succeeds or fails will be largely up to him. But Vitelllo won’t be lacking for mentors, including Baker, who at one time managed the Giants. Since he retired, Baker has been in the Giants organization and in the wake of Vitello’s hiring he’s been asking those skeptical to be patient and give Vitello a chance.
He’s also given Vitello one big piece of advice as he enters his first season.
Dusty Baker’s Advice to Tony Vitello