Giants Manager Stops Mid-Sentence Comparing Devers to Troubled Tiger Woods

Tony Vitello quickly backtracked after beginning to liken the Giants' star third baseman to the recently arrested golf legend.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:43pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp planes of color and form representing the dynamic action on the field.A cubist interpretation of a tense baseball showdown captures the raw energy and competitive spirit of the game.Jupiter Island Today

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello was in the middle of comparing star third baseman Rafael Devers to golf legend Tiger Woods when he suddenly stopped himself, burying his head in his hands and chuckling. Vitello had planned to praise Devers' ability to get fired up at himself and then quickly calm down, just like Woods is known for. However, with the recent news of Woods' arrest for DUI and reckless driving, Vitello realized the comparison was ill-timed.

Why it matters

The aborted comparison highlights the challenges sports figures face when trying to draw parallels between current players and troubled superstars like Woods, whose recent legal troubles have overshadowed his legendary golf career. Vitello's reaction also shows the need for discretion and sensitivity when discussing athletes' personal lives, especially when they are dealing with high-profile incidents.

The details

During a press conference, Vitello began to say, 'And then (Rafael Devers), I imagine golf. Like, Tiger — oh, I guess it's bad timing.' He then buried his head in his hands and chuckled, realizing the poor timing of the comparison given Woods' recent arrest for DUI and reckless driving just a week before the Masters tournament. Vitello ultimately pivoted, saying, 'Raffy's pretty good at getting fired up at himself and then calming things down pretty quick.'

  • On March 30, Tiger Woods was arrested for misdemeanor DUI and property damage after being involved in a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, FL.
  • Woods has since been hit with an additional charge of reckless driving.
  • The Masters tournament is scheduled to take place next week.

The players

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

Rafael Devers

The star third baseman for the San Francisco Giants.

Tiger Woods

A 15-time major golf champion who was recently arrested for DUI and reckless driving.

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What they’re saying

“And then (Rafael Devers), I imagine golf. Like, Tiger — oh, I guess it's bad timing.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“Raffy's pretty good at getting fired up at himself and then calming things down pretty quick.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

— Tiger Woods

What’s next

Tiger Woods was reportedly given permission by a Florida judge to travel abroad in order to seek treatment following his recent arrest. Woods has announced plans to step away from golf ahead of next week's Masters Tournament to focus on his health.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for sports figures to exercise caution when drawing comparisons between current players and troubled superstars, as such parallels can quickly become insensitive or ill-timed. It also underscores the importance of discretion and empathy when discussing athletes' personal challenges, especially high-profile legal issues that overshadow their on-field accomplishments.