3-Time World Series Champ Defends Tony Vitello Amid Giants Struggles
The San Francisco Giants made a surprising move to hire former Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello to be their manager.
Vitello became the first coach in baseball history to go directly from being the head coach of a college program to being an MLB manager without any prior professional coaching experience.
After the Giants made the move, many wondered how he would adjust. So far in the 2026 MLB season, the Giants have struggled. San Francisco is off to a 29-43 start, and some fans have already called for Vitello to be fired.
However, three-time World Series champion reliever Jeremy Affeldt - who won all three championships in San Francisco - doesn't think the blame should fall on Vitello.
"It's an easy pounce. You had Vitello coming in, first time as a manager, and they are like, if we do bad, we can crush the manager; he's the problem. But he's not the problem. It doesn't matter if it's (Bruce) Bochy or (Bob) Melvin or whatever manager, he can't go out there and do it all for you," Affeldt said on Foul Territory on June 15.
Affeldt does believe Vitello has made some mistakes with how he's using his bullpen, but he believes the roster construction is the problem and not the manager.
So, Affeldt believes this year could very well be a write-off for the Giants, but the three-time World Series champion believes San Francisco needs to find a closer for next year.
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"You have to have guys that you know when you come into the game, whether it's a one, two, or three run lead, it is over," Affeldt added. "It doesn't mean it's always over, but there's a good chance the other side looks at it and says, 'Man, it's going to be a heck of a fight, hopefully we can squeeze one out. But, there's a good chance we cough this one up and come back tomorrow.'
"That is not what they have right now. I feel like that is going to be the biggest black eye on them going forward. They are so far behind, they will have to rebuild, and they have to go in the offseason with the mentality of we have to have a lockdown bullpen."
With how poorly the Giants have played this season, Vitello could be one-and-done as an MLB manager, but Affeldt doesn't think it is his fault.
Giants Waving White Flag On 2026 MLB Season
The Giants hired Vitello in hopes of sparking the team and getting San Francisco back into contention.
Yet, entering play on June 15, the Giants are 29-43 and nine games out of a Wild Card spot. With San Francisco only ahead of the Colorado Rockies for the worst record in the MLB, the Giants are expected to be sellers ahead of the August 3 trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
"The San Francisco Giants have not fully committed to becoming sellers at the trade deadline. But they are moving closer to making that determination," Rosenthal wrote. "In recent days, the Giants have put out feelers on some of their players, testing the waters for potential deals, according to people briefed on their discussions."
If the Giants do end up being sellers, Rosenthal mentions Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray as probable trade chips, while Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames are less likely.
Yet as the Giants continue to lose games, calls for Vitello's firing will only grow, even though one former player believes it isn't his fault.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 6:29 PM.