Tony Vitello’s start as SF Giants manager turned out to be a learning curve – The Mercury News

PEORIA, Ariz. — Giants manager Tony Vitello woke up Saturday morning to watch the sunrise, as he usually does. However, this one felt different.

For the first time in his life, Vitello attended a spring training game, another item on his checklist. Now you can add one handle and trade a Major League Baseball card to it, too.

Not bad for a guy who came out last week and said, “I don’t know what a spring training game feels like or looks like.”

Against the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, the 47-year-old found out. And he and his new team cruised to a 10-5 victory, another check for his exit list.

Vitello, however, knows enough about spring ball to keep things on track.

“Anytime you keep score, you want to win,” Vitello said. “But I think everyone knows what they’re working towards. There are a lot of goals that go beyond the scoreboard.”

For the new captain, the real challenge was in the mix. It was unusual and quite different from his tenure with the University of Tennessee. It didn’t take long for Vitello to settle down.

He found his place in the dugout and from there things just clicked. He realized that everyone has a job, including himself.

Mostly, Vitello saw Saturday as a learning day, an opportunity to grow and learn more about his ballclub. He mentioned enjoying the discussions on the field and seeing his players face a new opponent.

Vitello also learned where not to stand on the field after being hit by a foul ball in his left hip.

“I thought it would be wise not to stop on the way,” said Vitello with a laugh. “There were a lot of things that everyone commented on or wrote down. Points you can put in your back pocket. I think our coaching staff’s familiarity with in-game conversations has been a real benefit.”

That familiarity extends to the players as well. Blade Tidwell, who played under Vitello at Tennessee, said his manager is “exactly the same.”

And that comfort may have helped Tidwell, who, while making his San Francisco debut, struck out the team in the second inning while walking one of his 25 pitches.

“I heard him a few times when I played,” Tidwell said. “He said the things he used to say when I was in college, ‘Okay, focus on the hitter.’ He always has a lot of one-liners up his sleeve.”

New faces and spring games

Infielder Harrison Bader, signed as a free agent in January, made his first start in orange and black while wearing bright green gloves and cleats, Bader had a hit and two RBIs while batting leadoff.

Also playing for San Francisco is catcher Daniel Susac, a former Oakland A’s first-round pick that Vitello said “had a good day,” after starting at catcher and getting a hit and scoring a run. The 24-year-old joined the Giants after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the A’s.

This spring, Susac’s goal is to eliminate weaknesses and improve everything. He wants to clean up his pitch and be more selective at the plate.

“It’s a little different for me (this spring) because I’m going to play a lot,” said Susac, who must stay on the Giants’ 26-man roster or be sent back to the A’s. “The goal is a little different for me. This is probably my first spring training where I will see the most important minutes.”

The Giants’ top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, also got the nod. He started the game at first and showed pop for a cross-field, doubling to left. Before the game, Eldridge talked about feeling comfortable and in rhythm this spring.

“We have great people here, and the new guys are amazing,” Eldridge said. “They got along well. Bader, (Luis) Arráez, they treated me as if I had known them for years.”

Bad start to birdsong

Right-handed pitcher Hayden Birdsong also got the first nod. It didn’t quite go according to plan.

He walked two batters, gave up five runs and struck out just one before being ejected by Vitello in a tough one-third inning. His first two fastballs — hitting 96 and 97 mph — looked sharp, but command was a problem.

In 26 pitches against six hitters, Birdsong threw 12 balls and left after giving up former Granada High standout Miles Mastroubuoni, a 381-foot blast to right-center field.

Still, Birdsong said his delivery feels good and he’s focused on working on his fastball with more focus on trying to make the big league roster.

His boss wants to be present and walk limited from birdsong.

“In college and little league ball, he was always successful,” Vitello said. “Sometimes you get punched in the mouth and you get that fixed image, that’s why guys have superstitions and habits, is to try to stay close to the center, so I think that will be a theme for him this year.

As for Vitello, this spring will be less about what’s on the scoreboard and more about the lessons that come with checking the next box.