Maddon, a decorated former MLB skipper with the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels, told KNBR in San Francisco that Vitello’s hiring was “insulting.”
“I only use the word ‘offensive’ from the perspective that it seems like you no longer need to have any professional experience to do this job.”
Joe Maddon is critical of the recent hiring of a manager at the San Francisco Giants
There’s no doubting the wealth of big league management credentials that the 71-year-old Maddon possesses, most famously leading the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs to the World Series in 2008 and 2016, respectively (the latter won it all).
However, his most recent appearance in a big league dugout with the Los Angeles Angels was nothing short of a disaster, resulting in a cumulative winning percentage of .477 between 2020 and 2022. To add even more context, both superstars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout were on those rosters.
That’s where Vitello comes in: He has a “clean slate” in the MLB, but he also has plenty of pedigree — the Tennessee Volunteers had developed into one of the nation’s collegiate baseball powerhouses under his watch.
To be clear, the Giants are swinging for the fences on their Vitello hire. Much of president of baseball operations Buster Posey’s strategy will hinge on whether the 47-year-old can successfully make the transition from college to the major leagues on short notice. And it’s not like San Francisco hasn’t tried to hire experienced leaders lately: Longtime MLB manager Bob Melvin, for example, was just fired after an unsuccessful stint in the Giants’ dugout.
Overall, Maddon comes across as bitter in this public discussion, despite later wishing Vitello “all the best.” At the very least, these comments won’t help as Maddon attempts to pursue another managerial opportunity in the MLB. Time will tell if Maddon is proven right, but for now he and the Giants can only watch as Vitello prepares for his first season in the professional ranks.
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