‘Two peas in a pod’: Two decades after college, Vitello, Tingler reunited with SF Giants

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tony Vitello, Jayce Tingler and the Missouri Tigers wanted one last hurrah.

Following the Tigers’ loss to Mississippi State in the 2003 NCAA Starkville Regional, Vitello, Tingler and Missouri’s baseball team returned to Columbia, Missouri and convened at Harpo’s Bar and Grill. Vitello, a volunteer coach, and Tingler, a departing senior, chatted over drinks. Vitello recalls the conversation vividly.

“I remember talking about a coach that I admire and look up to in college baseball.