San Francisco Giants – Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants and two other Teams sued for Junk Fees on tickets

Published on January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer hasn’t made a comment to the news media yet about the lawsuit against the Giants regarding junk fees by plaintiff Juan Flores. The Giants are one of three teams being sued regarding junk fees on inflated ticket prices. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

Giants and two other Teams sued for Junk Fees on tickets

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

With Spring Training ’26 around the corner, Major League Baseball made news in the litigation side of things when the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Nationals all faced class-action lawsuits. Allegedly, these teams used hidden “junk fees” to inflate ticket prices.

These three teams are accused of misleading advertising tickets at lower prices when they are only for mandatory fees, such as processing and “facility fees”. It is called “drip pricing,” which, at checkout, often doubles the cost the fan/buyer was originally told it would be. Giants: A class action lawsuit (Flores v. San Francisco Baseball Associations LLC) was filed in Federal Court in San Francisco on January 26, 2026, by plaintiff Juan Flores, represented by Almeida Law Group LLC and Tycko & Zavareel LLP.

Alleges the Giants added mandatory “Service”, “Convenience”, and “Order Processing” fees at the last second, increasing the cost of the ticket by 45%. Cinics will say, “Hey It is San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the world”. That is true.

San Francisco is considered among the top five cities in the world with the highest cost of living. The San Francisco Giants have experienced a notable decline in attendance. From their winning/peak seasons, with average attendance falling from 3 million in 2016, when they had their best start in MLB through mid-season, they collapsed in the second half and made the postseason as a Wild Card, beating the Mets, but lost the NLDS to the Chicago Cubs.

Boston Red Sox: The plaintiff’s suit alleges the team used “bait-and-switch” tactics to add “junk fees” that ultimately increase ticket prices by as much as 150%. Washington Nationals: Their proposed class-action lawsuit is different from the Giants’ and Red Sox’s in scope, but also about tickets.

The Nationals are fighting a proposed class action lawsuit filed in September 2025 in a Washington, D.C., federal court by a consumer alleging the team charged similar hidden fees for years. Teams increase their ticket prices, for many reasons like high demand, rising players’ salaries, and special premium seating experiences .

The San Francisco Giants have experienced a notable decline in attendance from their peak seasons, with average attendance falling from over 3 million in 2016 to around 30,000–33,000 per game in recent years. Contributing factors include an “unexciting” on-field product, a lack of major, long-term player signings, high ticket/parking prices, and a significantly eroded season-ticket base, which dropped from nearly 30,000 in 2017 to roughly half that in 2022.

The fans want to be repaid for the extra fees that were not included in the initially advertised prices. The suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, seeks to have the Giants repay fans who were charged extra fees not included in the initially advertised price, according to local reports.

Looks like a touch of greed from some owners who want a leg up before they lock out the players by December 2026, in what is expected to be a very tough situation for Major League Baseball. A “Battle Royale” when owners will demand a hard salary cap, and the players’ union will continue to oppose it. This could result in something “very malo para el baseball.”

Quote: On Economic Realities: “People don’t want to go to the stadium, pay a high ticket price, then get cleaned out when they go to the ballpark… Until you have more disposable income, pricing is going to be a problem.” — Michael Cramer, former president of the Texas Rangers.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

San Francisco Giants report: Giants agree to two-year deal with outfielder Harrison Bader

Published on January 26, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader signed a two year deal worth $22 million with the San Francisco Giants on Mon Jan 26, 2026 (Google photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

It seems the Giants have finally nabbed a free agent hitter, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has reported that the team has agreed to sign center-fielder Harrison Bader to a two-year deal.

If the deal is completed, it will be the most significant move the Giants have made in what has been a frustrating-slow off-season. To this point, their most significant signing has been starting pitcher Adrian Houser, who was signed to a two-year deal worth $22 million, with a club option for 2028. The Giants have also signed relief-pitchers Jason Foley and Sam Hentges to one-year deals.

It would also be a solid addition to the Giants’ lineup. Bader hit a career-high .277 with the Twins and Phillies last season, with 17 home runs, and 54 RBIs. He hit .305 with the Phillies after being traded from the Twins on July 31 of last year.

Bader is also a terrific outfielder, and one perhaps even amongst the best outfielders in the game. Bader’s presence made a tremendous difference in the Phillies’ outfield after he was acquired.

However, Bader has had some recent injuries. He had to leave Game 1 of the NLDS last year with a hamstring injury, and was limited to just two pinch-hit at-bats for the remainder of the series, in which the Phillies lost in four games to the eventual-world champion Dodgers.

The finances of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee briefly detained at LA airport over missing travel documents

Published on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Vince Cestone

Jung Hoo Lee homers off Carlos Rondo/ AP file photo

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained at Los Angeles International Airport after he arrived from South Korea on Wednesday.

Lee didn’t have the correct documents to get through customs, officials said. He had forgotten the paperwork, according to KRON4.

Lee was arriving in the United States on Wednesday to prepare for Spring Training in Arizona, which starts in February.

The missing paperwork issue has been sorted out, and Lee was allowed to enter Los Angeles.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi helped to resolve the issue, according to Cleveland.com.

The Giants issued the following statement about the incident:

“Earlier today, Jung Hoo Lee experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue. The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities and he has since been cleared to continue his travel. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”

The Giants signed Lee to a $113 million, six-year contract. He hit .266 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs, with 10 stolen bases over 150 games.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Can the Giants catch the Dodgers in 2026?

Published on January 22, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Tampa Bay Ray pitcher and now San Francisco Giant Adrian Houser is seen here pitching against the Chicago Cubs Sep 24, 2025 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Houser signed a 2 year $22 million contract with the Giants on Dec 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

Can the Giants catch the Dodgers in 2026?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It is not too early to talk about the 2026 season, especially because an owners’ lockout after this year’s World Series is inevitable. The Super Bowl is coming to the South Bay in February at Levi’s Stadium, and right after that game, Adiós winter and Bienvenido Baseball.

Pitchers and Catchers will report to Spring Training by early to mid February. The Giants report to Scottsdale Stadium and the Dodgers to Camelback Ranch. Both in the Valley of the Sun,Phoenix, Last season, the Giants finished 81-81 (3rd in the NL West), which is the definition of mediocre/unremarkable/no bueno.

The focus now is on what these teams are doing to improve for the 2026 season. While the Giants are like a car that needs lots of repair, the Dodgers have been adding more stars and spending big money; what else is new? They are already favorites to win their third consecutive World Series. 2025 Dodger Stadium attendance: 4,012,470.

Let’s look at what these two eternal rivals have been doing during the winter.

-The Giants: Signed Adrian Houser for 2 years and Tyler Mahle for 1 year to bolster their rotation. This was an interesting acquisition: they also secured a top international shortstop, Luis Hernández, a 17-year-old Venezuelan who left his troubled country and traveled to the Dominican Republic. The Giants signed the kid for a $5 million bonus. However, the Giants’ most interesting move was not a player but hiring Tony Vitello as manager.

Their 40th manager in their history on October 22, 2025, marking the first time an MLB team appointed a manager directly from college baseball without any prior professional baseball experience (playing or coaching). While other managers have had limited or no pro playing time. At the time of this article, veteran pitcher Justin Verlander is being sought by a few teams; it appears the Giants have no interest in keeping the future Hall of Famer, who might soon sign with another team.

-The Dodgers. As we all know, there are two things a Giants fan loves more than anything else: 1-When the Giants win, and 2-When the Dodgers lose. This rivalry dates back to the days when both teams were in New York, separated by the Bronx and Brooklyn. Now they are 400 miles apart, and the rivalry is as hot as ever. The Giants have so far been frugal, not opening the bank to sign any big free-agent player.

The Dodgers signed elite closer Edwin Díaz to a 3-year, $69 million contract (the largest ever for a reliever), also signed outfielder Kyle Tucker to a 4-year, $240 million contract, and signed veteran outfielder Andy Ibañez, bolstering their 2026 roster. The Kyle Tucker deal added to their existing high-salary roster. Is there inequity in the game? Does it rain in Seattle? Last season, the Dodgers’ payroll on Opening Day was $325.9 million, the Miami Marlins’ was $69 million, and the Homeless A’s about the same.

The Dodgers’ signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker, adding to their existing high-salary roster, gives Giants fans another reason to hate the Dodgers. MLB owners are reportedly raging and determined to push for a salary cap in the next CBA, following the Dodgers’ massive contract with Tucker. Sources calling a salary cap push “100 percent certainty” that will lead to a lockout and possibly no baseball in 2027.

Major League Baseball owners last locked out players in December 2021, halting off-season activities and transactions for 99 days until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was reached in March 2022, marking the first MLB work stoppage since the 1994-85 player strike.

Finally, If the Giants want to catch the Dodgers, they better do it now in the 2026 season because after that, there will be nobody warming up in the bullpen.

Quote: “There are only two seasons – winter and baseball.” – Bill Veeck

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor: 49ers leave little doubt in crushing the Colts on Monday Night Football 48-27

Published on December 22, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers tight end Christian McCaffrey (23) bolts past the Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) and and defensive tackle Grover Steward (90) in the first half at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers (11-4) left little doubt and left it all on the Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis with a crushing 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) on Monday Night Football.

#2 San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy had the hot hand and lots of protection throwing for five touchdown passes in getting the win against the Colts.

#3 Next up for the 49ers the Chicago Bears (11-4) at Levi Stadium on Sunday Night Football Dec 28th at 5:25pm PT. The Bears have won seven of their last eight games could this be a game that could go right down to the wire?

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Jeff Kent punches ticket to Cooperstown

Published on December 9, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former New York Met and San Francisco Giant Jeff Kent addresses the media at the MLB baseball winter meetings in Orlando Fla on Mon Dec 8, 2025. Kent was elected into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame on Sun Dec 7, 2025. (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

Former Giants’ second-baseman Jeff Kent got his ticket to Cooperstown when the Contemporary Era Committee voted him in as the first member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

This a well-deserved honor for Kent, who hit .290 in 17-year big league big league career from 1992 to 2008. The 16-person committee is made up of six hall-of-famers; six current and former baseball executives; and three other members of the media. 12 votes were required, and Kent got 14.

Kent was originally eligible under the conventional BBWAA ballot from 2014 to 2023, but did not get in. So was Kent’s former teammate and adversary, Barry Bonds. Bonds, like Kent, did not get in on the BBWAA ballot.

However, Bonds did not get in on the Contemporary Era ballot either. In fact, under a new rule, since Bonds received fewer than five votes, even though this committee will next vote in December 2028 for the Class of 2029, Bonds will not be eligible again until December 2031 for the Class of 2032.

To make matters worse for Bonds under this new rule, if he once again fails to reach five votes in 2031, he will be permanently ineligible to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Kent remained mum on the subject of Bonds not getting into the Hall of Fame, but lavished praise on his old rival. Bonds, meanwhile, was humble in another rejection from the hall, as he congratulated Kent on getting into Cooperstown.

The man whom Kent gave a lot of credit to was his old skipper, Dusty Baker, who may join Kent in the Hall of Fame in as little as a year from now. Kent, who originally came up as a dead-pull hitter, learned how to go the other way from Dusty.

Kent was drafted out of Cal Berkeley by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989, and made his major league debut in 1992. Kent was traded over to the New York Mets in the middle of 1992, and he would remain in Queens until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in the middle of 1996.

The Giants tapped Brian Sabean to replace Bob Quinn as the general manager at the end of 1996. One of Sabean’s first moves was to trade longtime and fan-favorite third-baseman Matt Williams to the Indians for Kent.

Giants’ fans absolutely lost their minds over the move, but after a disastrous 94-loss last-place finish in a miserable 1996 campaign, Sabean was willing to try anything. Sabean also added J.T. Snow and a few others, and the Giants miraculously went all the way from worst to first and won the National League West in a magical 1997 season.

Kent spent six years with the Giants from 1997 to 2002. He won the Willie Mac Award in 1998. He then beat out Bonds for the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .334 in 2000, when Kent and Bonds, along with Ellis Burks, led the Giants to a memorable 97-win season—the best record in Baseball—in the first year at then-Pacific Bell Park.

Kent had another solid season in 2001. Despite a controversial injury in 2002, he hit .313 with a career-high 37 home runs, and helped lead the Giants to just their third National League Pennant in San Francisco.

Giants’ fans all know the story of how the 2002 World Series ended. After the Angels wrapped up their title in Game 7, Kent told the media gathered at his locker, “I feel like a loser.”

Dusty left the Giants to go manage the Chicago Cubs after the tragic finish to 2002, and a lot of players from that team also left. One of them was Kent, who signed with the Houston Astros. In his first visit back to Pacific Bell Park in April 2003, Kent was mercilessly booed by Giants’ fans.

The booing got even worse when Kent joined the Los Angeles Dodgers of all teams. Kent spent his final four seasons—2005 to 2008—with the Dodgers, and was even involved in a war of words with the Giants’ fiery young right-handed relief pitcher, Billy Sadler, on Aug. 9, 2008.

Kent announced his retirement on Jan. 21, 2009. When the Giants inducted him onto the team’s new Wall of Fame on Aug. 29 of that year, he was cheered like old times, and it seemed as if he was never booed in his old ballpark.

Kent has remained connected with the Giants’ organization since. He has shown up to spring training as a special instructor on multiple occasions, and has taken part in various ceremonies.

Kent hopes to go into the hall as a Giant. It is not known whether the Giants will retire Kent’s old number of 21, which would be very well deserved.

Kent had his ways, and feuded with a lot of people. While Kent was not the kind of player who hung or even became friends with his teammates, he came up with that same grin every time he stepped up to the plate, and he always put his team ahead of himself on the field. The man was a competitor who wanted to win every single time he took the field.

In a game that has unnecessarily been made overly complicated over the last eight years, players should heed the wise words of the new hall-of-famer: “the money lies in the RBI.”

Well said! Congratulations on the greatest honor of your life, Mr. Kent!

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Collective Bargaining could spell the 27 season’s demise; Giants not signing Imai could point to cost saving measures

Published on December 2, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Imai boldly stated he’d prefer to defeat the Dodgers, who boast some of baseball’s most elite talent from Japan, rather than join them (TV Asahi)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The talk of a MLB lock out is heating up here in the dead of winter. The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and owners expires Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET when the contract comes up.

#2 The players have made it pretty clear their not going for a salary cap which the owners are dead set on if they don’t get a salary cap the 2027 season could see a work stoppage.

#3 It’s been said that if the cap is the only answer baseball is in trouble. Does that spell the possibility that the 2027 could be wiped out?

#4 The San Francisco Giants speaking on cutting back on spending money the Giants will not sign Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to which sources say due to financial considerations and a preference for more modestly priced short term deals. The Giants might start going in the direction of other clubs who will use younger players and when a player is established they could go packing.

#5 Turning to the NBA. The Golden State Warriors have united the Curry brothers as the Warriors signed veteran guard Seth Curry for the rest of the 2024-25 season on Monday. Seth was at the Warriors training camp but got waived because of the team’s financial restraints.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook Strategy You Don’t see Everyday

Published on December 1, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Francisco Giant outfielder Barry Bonds once walked with the bases loaded on May 28, 1998 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here is Bonds in action trying to score at the plate at Candlestick Park. (USA Today file photo)

From My Baseball Notebook Strategy You Don’t see Everyday

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Date and Place: May 28, 1998, at Candlestick Park/3Com Park, San Francisco, as the Giants’ Spanish play-by-play announcer on station KIQI 1010AM, San Francisco. Below is what happened.

At the time, nobody really believed it was happening. I witnessed a very rare play in baseball history during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants, The Game: It was the bottom of the ninth inning when Arizona’s manager Buck Showalter ordered an intentional walk to the Giants’ dangerous slugger Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and two outs.

Arizona was leading 8-6, and manager Showalter chose to give the Giants a free run by giving the intentional bases on balls to Bonds. Showalter intentionally walked Bonds and made the game 8-7. The next batter was Diamondbacks catcher Brett Mayne.

The 12,066 crowd were on their feet when Mayne hit a solid line drive to deep right field as Stan Javier caught the last out, and Buck Showalter, and his counterpart Dusty Baker, manager of the Giants, both could breathe again as the game came to a conclusion in 3 hours 26 minutes.

Buck Showalter was a genius with that strategy as his Arizona Diamondbacks won 8-7 over the Giants. For most people, including me, at the Press Box and Broadcast booths, it was the first time we witnessed such a moment in a game.

That season, Barry Bonds won the NL MVP award, hitting .303 with 37 home runs and 122 runs batted in. The Ultimate Respect: A manager gets paid to win games, and uses his baseball knowledge and strategy in every game, but during this game, Diamondback’s manager, Buck Showalter, gave Barry Bonds the ultimate respect, an intentional base on balls to walk in a run (with the game on the line) in the ninth inning and prevailed.

How many times has this happened? Only eight times in history has a player been intentionally walked with the bases loaded in the Major Leagues. Here they are: Abner Dalrymple (1881), Nap Lajoie (1901), Del Bissonette (1928), Mel Ott (1929), Bill Nicholson (1944), BARRY BONDS (1998), Josh Hamilton (2008) and the most recent instance was in 2022, when the LA Angels intentionally walked Corey Seager. Of the eight on this list, two are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame: and Museum Nap Lajoie and Mel Ott.

However, what I called at the mic that night in May at a cold and windy Candlestick Park was done only by two players in history to win the game: Barry Bonds in this game,1998 and Josh Hamilton in 2008, both of whom were walked by their respective managers in the ninth inning of a game. The only time I have seen this in my life as a fan or broadcaster. What they say, “you never know what you’ll see at the ballpark”

Major League Baseball Record for Intentional Bases on Balls. For one season (Barry Bonds), 120 times in 2004, Career Record: Barry Bonds 688.

“I was such a dangerous hitter, I even got intentional walks during batting practice” -Casey Stengel.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Cafecito La Cosecha 917 Ninth St downtown Sacramento Sportstalk podcast Tue Nov 11, 2025

Published on November 11, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cafecito La Cosecha Sacramento podcast cast: front row left to right Morris Phillips (Cal Bears football beat writer), Vince Cestone (social media), Stephen Ruderman (San Francisco Giants podcaster), second row left to right Lee Leonard (producer) Michael Duca (ESPN), and Mauricio Segura (Sacramento A’s beat writer) (photo by Salvador Cafecito/La Cosecha server)

Welcome to another podcast of Sportstalk I’m your host Michael Duca (ESPN) with my co-hosts, Morris Phillips (Cal Bears beat writer), Mauricio Segura (Golden Bay Times), Stephen Ruderman (San Francisco Giants beat writer), and Vince Cestone (social media). Our thanks to owner of Cafecito La Cosecha Ernesto Delgado who also owns the Octopus Peru right across the street from Cafecito and Mayahuel at 1200 K Street in downtown Sacramento.

Were podcasting at the beautiful Cafecito Restaurant at 917 Ninth Street at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Sacramento call 916-476-6075 for reservations.

A little about Cafecito A casual Mexican restaurant comes to downtown’s Cesar Chavez Plaza.

You’d think by now Sacramento would have had its fill of tacos. But that didn’t stop the city from signing a lease with Ernesto Delgado to open a fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Cesar Chavez Plaza downtown.

La Cosecha debuted this year on Cinco de Mayo, taking over a small, city-owned building on the park’s west side. Delgado, the owner of Tequila Museo Mayahuel on nearby K Street, hired a pair of restaurant veterans—chef Adam Pechal and bartender Chris Sinclair—to create the food and cocktail menus.

La Cosecha isn’t strictly Mexican; Sacra-Mexican is more like it. Pechal’s fusion menu marries Mexican cuisine with Sacramento ingredients.

The emphasis is on fresh, seasonal and local. (La Cosecha is Spanish for “the harvest.”) On Wednesdays, Pechal ducks out of the restaurant and heads to the farmers market in the plaza for inspiration and a bit of shopping.

A case of strawberries might end up in that week’s aqua fresca; sunburst squash will make an appearance in quesadillas and ceviche.

If peaches are in season, they’ll wind up in the salsa. And when corn is at its peak, Pechal will add elote—grilled Mexican street corn—to the menu. Even the beans in the Mission-style burrito are local: heirloom Eye of the Goat beans from Elegant Beans in Lodi.

San Francisco Giants report: Vitello introduces himself to San Francisco

Published on October 30, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants president Buster Posey (left) and new manager Tony Vitello is introduced to the news media at a press conference at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Oct 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants introduced their colorful new manager, Tony Vitello, in what turned out to be a massive press conference at Oracle Park this morning.

Members of the media and the Giants’ top brass all gathered on this foggy morning on the Club Level at Oracle Park, as Chairman Greg Johnson and President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey introduced Vitello to the city of San Francisco and Northern California.

It looked to be a rather-small crowd, but about 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start, a whole tsunami of people showed up. It felt like the entire city of San Francisco showed up.

Posey introduced Vitello, and presented him with a Giants’ cap and Giants’ jersey. As of right now, Vitello’s number will be 23, which was worn by Felipe Alou when he managed the club from 2003 to 2006.

It was a surreal experience for Vitello, who admitted that he never dreamed of being a big league ballplayer, as he admitted his skills were not up to par. However, he said that becoming a big league manager was a dream come true.

Members of Vitello’s family were in attendance, as were members of Vitello’s host family when he was a coach for the Salina Packers of the California Collegiate League in 2002. Vitello is actually pretty familiar with the Giants’ organization, and even said he sat behind home plate in Kansas City for Madison Bumgarner’s five-inning performance in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

Vitello is a revolutionary hire in the game of baseball. There have been many innovative things that have happened throughout the history of the game, and Vitello’s arrival is up there as one of the most notable.

Vitello is the first man to go straight from coaching college baseball to managing a major league team without any experience whatsoever in organized and professional baseball.

There’s always the question of how big league players will respond to a new manager. That question may be asked more than ever with a college head coach coming in to head a big league team

Outfielder Drew Gilbert, a character himself, who made himself a hit with his quirky personality, played for Vitello at Tennessee. So did starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, who came over from the Mets to the Giants along with Gilbert in the Tyler Rogers trade on July 30.

Gilbert was ecstatic when he heard the news. Vitello then said that he would be Gilbert’s babysitter.

On a podcast with Greg Olsen last week, Vitello said that personalities were a requirement. Vitello made reference to the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, a team with many gregarious personalities.

Vitello touched up on his comments from a week ago.

“I think the biggest thing is to be comfortable in your own skin, and let [your] personality shine through, regardless of what [your] day is like,” said Vitello. “There is a lot of downtime in our sport, so personality is somewhat of a requirement for [things] to go as well as I think it could go.”

John Kruk, the Phillies’ first-baseman in 1993, and one of the biggest characters on that team, said that players would stay deep into the night after games to drink beer and talk about baseball.

“The thing is to let that stuff evolve organically,” added Vitello. “If you do have an environment that is entertaining, welcoming and fun, you tend to want to spend more time in that environment.

Even Max Scherzer, who pitched at a future first-ballot hall of famer heaped praise on the Giants’ new skipper. Vitello was Scherzer’s pitching coach at the University of Missouri, and even played a role in developing Scherzer into the hall of famer that he became.

When asked by John Shea how games would be managed, Posey was mum on how that would go, and said that he and Vitello would work in tandem.

Vitello will now get to work assembling his coaching staff, and as the 2025 World Series and Season near their end, Posey will soon get to work building the team for next season.