Giants' Tony Vitello describes unique nature of playing on road in New York
San Francisco manager Tony Vitello speaks with the media before the Giants' game against the New York Mets on Friday at Citi Field.
Giants' Tony Vitello describes unique nature of playing on road in New York originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
How's it going?
Good.
How are you?
All right.
Wilkerston had, had a, great start.
What do you expect from him, this time out?
What impressed you in his last start?
Just the way he competes.
You know, I've kinda known him for a long time, and he really handled himself well in Fenway, which can be, you know, up here on the East Coast, fans can make it hostile.
There's a lot of tradition in that park, and I thought he kinda picked up where he left off there.
But was even better in Oracle, and the fans loved him.
But the number-one thing that always comes up when you talk about his name is the way he competes.
He's an intense dude.
Do you expect him to compete for a rotation spot in the future?
I think so.
The one thing you kinda wonder is , how would a guy look in a pen?
He's done that before.
He's really effective against lefties, so I think that's always an option for him.
Mm-hmm.
But right now, it's a good opportunity for all, all of our young guys that we have up.
It's pretty good runway to earn whatever they want, and that's potential deal for him.
What do you think it'll be like for him to play here in New York?
It's I mean, a lotta guys have never been to this city, and it's a different deal here.
When you land at the airport, you're kinda offset from the city, but you go over that bridge, and you see all the buildings.
And you get to our hotel, and it's US Open people everywhere.
It's got a little bit different flavor to it, but these guys are professionals for a reason.
And, you know, when the game starts, it kinda becomes all about the game.
And you probably get wrapped up in some of the names that are in that lineup as, as much as you do the city.
As you, look back into your season, what has been the most pleasant surprise this year?
I'm goin', you know, recent- Right memory right now, is the way Rafi's leading these young guys.
We, we lost some guys at the trade deadline that were big impact guys in the locker room, and then we had injuries where we kinda kept losing guys, and it was really Rafi and Ril- Willy's team.
And then Willy went down, and, Rafi's just kinda taken on a bigger share of the responsibility.
It's really been fun to watch him feed off the young guys' energy, but also how he leads.
And, you know, it's one of many things that sticks out.
Could you go even further?
What has Rafi done that has impressed you?
Well, th- he's always impressive to watch play first of all.
But I, I, I think just guiding Probably the way I was talking with the former Red Sox earlier, you know, probably the way David Ortiz did with him- Right he's, he's kind of that guy now.
So, you know, he's picking guys up when they're down.
He's giving guys direction, at certain times of the game or even before the game.
And then during the game, you know, someone's gotta be out there to keep the guys composed and focused on what's coming next because we've been in so many close games.
And it's my first year, so maybe it's always gonna be like that.
But it feels like it's a, a little bit heightened sense of close games and a lotta action in the eighth and ninth inning, and he's done a good job at keeping guys poised out there.
He got off to a slow start, but now he's been raking of late.
What's been working, and w- why was the slow start as long as it was?
Yeah, I mean, you know, birth of his boy, a little bit of a hamstring injury, and he won't use those as excuses at all.
And sometimes it's just the, the nature of the season.
It could be bonds or anybody else.
When you've got six months of grind, there's gonna be some that are better, some that are worse.
And for him, his story this year has just been a consistent climb and build.
And, you know, part of it might be with him, and, and some of our other guys too that are new, just getting more comfortable with the surroundings, the city, the organization, and, and settling in, and, he's done that for quite some time now.
You've been here almost a year now, and what's, the biggest improvement you would like to see from this team?
I'm not talking about, off the field.
Talking about on the field.
Yeah, I'm You know, that, that could be a lo- a long list because, you know, as a coach, you wanna see improvement in all areas.
But one thing I talked about with a reporter a couple days ago is just mentality, being tougher in certain situations.
And again, pro athletes, they're out there on the field.
They're tough.
But you get tested every pitch.
In between pitches, can you move on from failure?
Can you be confident even though the last time it didn't worked out for ya?
Could go on and on in that category, but that's the one that sticks out, is just the mentality piece.
All these guys are super athletes, and they've got a high level of skill in both dugouts today.
But this is a difference maker.
And it's, it's easy to go out one day and, you know, have toughness to you and be confident.
But again, with all these reps and, and all the days that go on in the season, it's a, it's a everyday challenge.
I noticed, on Sunday you don't have a pitcher.
Do you have an idea?
A little bit.
Part of it will be based off how tonight goes and who we use outta the pen.
Right now, our bullpen, for going on about seven, 10 days now, has been stretched a little thin, so we're trying to support that group as much as anything.
So a- as big of a deal it is to announce the starter and for that guy to go out and begin the game, a little bit of our focus r- is on the backend and tryin' not to wear guys out too much.
Would you give Webb, a rest?
More than likely, he would throw on Monday.
Right.
Y- you know, to space everything out.
But again, I, I think a lot of i- it'll be in about three, four, five hours, however long it'll be.
When this game's over with, we'll have a pretty clear picture.
Did, did you ever run into Nolan or Carson in your, in, Tennessee?
Yeah.
Because they were in o-, I think o- alignment.
Yep.
Nolan was in the SEC.
Yeah, but b- Both states in- Okie State was in the Big 12.
Right, so you played them often.
So we, but we did play them.
Okay.
And knew his brother too.
Yup.
And then Nolan was recruited by everybody for two sports.
Sports, yeah, yeah.
Football, right?
And, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
and a legit quarterback.
Yeah.
So we talked about it back there.
You know, you watch a little quick video on the starting pitcher and just reminded everybody how good of an athlete he is.
But just remember him carrying himself very well for a guy that was the toast of the town- Yeah you know, in two sports.
Some of these young guys, well heck, we got kids on TV now that are in fifth grade and given 'em pra-, you know.
Some of that's good.
S- some of it's bad.
But just remember him carrying himself like you would want somebody to, even though he, he was kinda lauded by everybody.
Two pretty dang good ones there .
Yeah.
Just, I'm sure you saw the plays of Carson in right field.
Like oh, my God, wha- He's been, he's been incredible, and obviously- He's still out there.
Yeah.
and you know, we saw them earlier in the year, and- Right, right y- you saw it comin'.
And it's gonna be a lengthy career for him.
Yeah.
So for the city, I mean, there's a couple big names that are veterans over there, but those are two guys that are gonna do it for a long time, and see some All-Star Games and everything else.
