One month of baseball is in the books, and while it's still early, we've got enough data to fuel some healthy overreactions. Let's check in on the San Francisco Giants and their rookie skipper, Tony Vitello.
Through 32 games, the Giants find themselves at the bottom of the NL West with a 13-19 record, most recently dropping a 3-0 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1. It's been a rocky start for the first-year manager, and the chatter around him has been loud. Is he too candid with the media? Has he lost the locker room, or is he actually instilling some much-needed edge? Maybe he's even too playful with his guys.
Here's the thing: San Francisco's struggles aren't really about Vitello's relationship with his team. The real issues are on the field. Offensively, the Giants are in a rough patch. They're struggling to produce runs, and the bullpen could use a serious boost. Hitting, overall, needs a major upgrade.
For a team that came into the season with hope, the first month has been a wake-up call. Whether Vitello can turn things around will depend on how quickly his lineup starts clicking and his relievers find their groove. For now, the Giants have plenty of work to do—and the grades reflect that.
