March 28, 2002

Prior to the 2002 season, Tony Vitello had only seen his name once in the Missouri starting lineup. Vitello, a senior infielder for the Tigers' baseball team, got that start in the final game of the 2001 season. He singled, drove in one run and scored twice as the Tigers defeated Texas A&M that day.

That performance, as well as several steady performances as a defensive replacement this season, got Vitello a starting nod this season as Missouri looked to shake up the starting lineup. Vitello made his first start against Arkansas and remained in the lineup for the Big 12 series against Baylor. He hit .333 in those four games.

"This year, as opposed to the other two seasons, I have been here as as role player. My spot in the starting lineup came about in a different way," said Vitello. "We had a practice before the Arkansas game and it had me at second, Jody (Roughton) at short and Luke (Cassis) at third. Through wind of the other players, I kind of figured I'd get the nod at second against Arkansas as we were trying to switch things up.

"I was able to mentally prepare the night before as I was a really excited," continued Vitello. "The goal behind all of the personal work is to be out there for every out of every inning."

During the one-run loss to Arkansas, there was a play where a ball dropped between Vitello and right fielder Lee Laskowski that allowed Arkansas to score a run. That play has since fueled Vitello to attempt to make a play on every ball he can.

"It really did stick in my mind. We lost by one run and there were a number of things that happened that you can nitpick at, where one run could have been added or subtracted for either team and that was one of them," said Vitello. "I turned right away and saw Lee slip. I think we both thought originally it was the right fielder's ball but, due to the conditions, there was a better chance of me catching it. There wasn't any communication between us and I thought that was the difference causing the ball to drop between us, which it did.

"The way I play, I want to play like it's the seventh game of the World Series or that it could be the last time I step on the ballfield for Mizzou," continued Vitello. "I thought that one particular play was one that I had something left and I didn't give it. I took the approach on the (Baylor) weekend that I'm going to give it my all to get everything coming at me or at a play I think I can make."

That happened against Baylor as Vitello's range extended to short center field as well as down the right field line.

"I thought one of the biggest changes was having Tony Vitello out there," said Jayce Tingler after the Tigers picked up two wins over Baylor a team ranked as high as eighth nationally. "The leadership he brings and the winning attitude he has is contagious. I look in from my position in center field and see someone who's been begging to get out there my three years here, loves the game and appreciates being in the lineup. I know he gives me a little extra spark and makes me work harder."

While Vitello's play might have put a spark in the Tigers against Baylor, he deflects credit to a team meeting that week.

"We had a team meeting on Thursday (March 21) that got so many emotions out of our system and talked about things we needed to do and goals we thought we could still achieve," said Vitello. "A loss on Friday night would have been devastating. I think we have the character to respond to something like that but I think our performance on Friday night kicked off our game on Saturday as well. It gave us more of an emotional boost than anything, as the talent is here, we just need to know how to tap it all of the time."

By winning the first two games in the Baylor series, Missouri was put in an unfamiliar situation, having a chance to win a Big 12 Conference series - something that has not happened since the 2000 season.

"I know Sunday was sloppy and wet and we had already won the series but I really came away with an empty feeling in my stomach," said Vitello. "My father (Greg) was there and we went to eat afterward. He knew I was in a bad mood and I told him I was really disgusted with everything. I thought my play was real average. There was an inning where if I could have gotten a hit after Brent (Lacy) reached (on an error) that it could have been a difference in the inning as well as the game. It didn't happen and it upset me on a personal level. I was disappointed that our team didn't come out Sunday with more conviction and put Baylor in a place where we had been put the two previous weeks."

That disgusted feeling carried over to the start of the Tigers' trip to Whiteman Air Force Base on March 25.

"I was in a bad mood getting on the bus. (This trip) was a good break as spending time together was what we needed to do," said Vitello. "Everyone has to contribute on this team for us to be any good. I got my shot this past week and others will later. It's important that we stick together and keep the collective goals in mind rather than just our personal goals."