San Francisco Giants President and CEO Larry Baer sees the city on the rebound — and he’s betting big on it hosting the World Series soon with newly named manager Tony Vitello at the helm.
The big picture: Sports — and especially Oracle Park as a hub — can help re-center San Francisco’s downtown by offering a shared space that brings people together, Baer said at Axios Live event Thursday.
- San Francisco’s upswing, fueled in part by the AI boom, is restoring its status as a top-tier city. Its edge lies in offering a “live, work, play” lifestyle, a model where people’s homes, jobs and favorite activities are all situated within walking distance, Baer said.
- He believes The Giants are also helping draw people back downtown.
What they’re saying: “The San Francisco Giants are more than another business. We wear San Francisco across our chest,” he told Axios San Francisco reporter Shawna Chen.
- “We have a platform. We have a megaphone. I think the Giants can really play a role in reconvening the community.”
The intrigue: He’s also counting on Vitello to bring his high-energy leadership style and replicate his success with the University of Tennessee at the pro level.
- Vitello is the first-ever manager of a major league team to come directly from a head college coaching position.
- Baer praised Vitello’s ability to manage not just during games, but in supporting and motivating players off the field.
- “It’s as important what you do from last out to first pitch as what you do from first pitch to last out,” he added. “Tony, I think, is going to be somebody that our fans are going to fall in love with.”
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