KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Jan. 9, Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello posted a photo on his Instagram that had Vol baseball fans talking.
It was a photo of Vitello and MLB superstar Bryce Harper riding horses together.
"He was generous enough to invite me and some other folks there to a ranch that he was able to use for the weekend because he is Bryce Harper and the thing was incredible," Vitello told WBIR.
Vitello said he's a bit of an amateur compared to Harper when it comes to riding horses.
"He's pretty good with all of that outdoors stuff, whether it is outdoors stuff or shooting or all that ... and he fancies himself a cowboy when his playing days are done," Vitello said.
Vitello said he was just trying not to fall off his horse the whole time, but it was fun hanging out with the two-time MLB National League MVP. The coach said it’s a friendship that has formed because of the fans who loved that photo.
“We’ve got some mutual friends in baseball. It’s kind of mind-blowing," Vitello said. "I mean the people I’ve been able to meet, it really tracks back to Vol fans. Kind of lifted up our program and fortunately, I ride that wave as well. It’s been because of Vol fans and Peyton Manning a lot too.”
Vitello said Harper is a phenomenal person, a player with flamboyant confidence who backs it up but then is a low-key guy off the field. It reminds Vitello of a former UT player.
“I think Drew Gilbert is the perfect parallel and I know he was a fan of watching Drew,” Vitello said.
Not only is Harper a fan of Gilbert. The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder has some countryside property around Knoxville now, according to the coach, and he had been a UT fan before the two became friends.
Vitello said Harper's dad, who coached Harper when he was younger, first pointed out what UT baseball was all about.
"His father was the first quick to point out that guys like, 'Drew Gilbert, Trey Lipscomb, they play like you, Bryce.' He started to watch our team a little bit and enjoy the style that is there," Vitello said. "I think moving to Tennessee, into SEC country, you got to pick a squad, you got to pick a side. Again, I don't mean to speak for him, but I think we are fortunate that he has become a Vols fan."