(12-16-2025, 04:21 PM)Leftcoast Wrote: Not a hopeful prognosis for those of us hoping for an improved 2026 season. So ... another .500 season? Or worse?
They started out 8-2, then 12-5, then 19-10 on April 27. They were in the divisional lead for two days in late April after two consecutive walkoffs, including six w/os in the first 29 games.
Then they lost three straight. Lost 12 of 14 in July. Lost 11 of 13 in August. They went 32-32 in one-run games.
I suspect management like Buster Posey watched good players have early wins. I think they thought they had a good team, borderline a great team, that was strong up the middle. I think sr. management thinks we do a lot of little things wrong. Stupid cutoff throws (or missing cutoffs), lack of focus, poor plate discipline.
I think they think the team needs shaking up, and that Bochy/BoMel or someone similar can't do that. Vitello is a big change. Not saying he'll be like Augie Garrido...
augie
But he might be like Tommy LaSorda...who is only three years older on this video than Vitello is today...
Tommy Lasorda and Doug Rau's mound visit from the 1977 World Series (NSFW Language)
Or Frank Robinson...who figures out an opposing pitcher is doctoring the ball...
https://youtu.be/Bkr2Fz5jgAE?t=183
Audaces fortuna iuvat