Scrub walk-on’ turned opportunity of a lifetime into an unprecedented leap from Tennessee’s head coach to the Giants’ new manager.

Gilbert describes the 47-year-old Vitello as a “chameleon” capable of talking to anybody and maintaining strong relationships up and down the roster. President of baseball operations Buster Posey is counting on that, and there’s little doubt that Vitello’s interpersonal skills played a strong part in the decision to hire him.

"I think it's a great move," Pat Murphy said. "I think Buster Posey is trying to get it right and not just following normal patterns."

The San Francisco Giants are gambling that former Tennessee coach Tony Vitello can get them back into the playoffs and go after a World Series.