Giants' Tony Vitello Quickly Regrets Tiger Woods Comment on Rafael Devers

The new Giants manager's memorable soundbites are drawing attention, for better or worse.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:19am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes, abstractly representing a baseball game or match, without any recognizable figures or text.A cubist interpretation of the Giants' manager's memorable comments, deconstructing the game into a dynamic, geometric display.Jupiter Island Today

In the aftermath of the San Francisco Giants' 7-2 victory over the New York Mets, new manager Tony Vitello made a surprising reference to golf legend Tiger Woods while discussing Giants slugger Rafael Devers' first home run of the season. Vitello's off-the-cuff remark about Woods, who was recently arrested on suspicion of DUI, has drawn mixed reactions as the Giants navigate the early part of their season.

Why it matters

Vitello's unique personality and memorable media sessions have put him in the spotlight, both positively and negatively, as he makes the jump from college to the MLB without any previous big-league coaching experience. His comments will be scrutinized, especially if the Giants struggle, but his authenticity could also be an asset if the team continues to play well.

The details

Following the Giants' win over the Mets, Vitello mentioned Tiger Woods while discussing Devers' home run, saying, 'And then Rafi, I mentioned golf, you know, Tiger ... I guess bad timing.' This was an apparent reference to Woods' recent DUI arrest and car crash. Vitello's colorful remarks, including past references to Kanye West, have drawn attention, both positive and negative, as he navigates his first MLB season as manager.

  • In late March, Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI near his residence in Jupiter Island, Florida.
  • The Giants defeated the Mets 7-2 on April 3, 2026.

The players

Tony Vitello

The new manager of the San Francisco Giants, who is making the jump from college to the MLB without any previous big-league coaching experience.

Rafael Devers

A Giants slugger who hit his first home run of the season in the game against the Mets.

Tiger Woods

A legendary golfer who was recently arrested on suspicion of DUI near his residence in Jupiter Island, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“And then Rafi, I mentioned golf, you know, Tiger ... I guess bad timing.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

The takeaway

Vitello's unique personality and memorable soundbites have put him in the spotlight early in his MLB managerial career. While his authenticity could be an asset if the Giants continue to play well, his off-the-cuff remarks will be closely scrutinized, especially if the team struggles. The Giants and their new manager will have to navigate this dynamic as the season progresses.