UR MAG

ShowBiz Celebs Lifestyle

Hot

Monday, February 23, 2026

Nick Reiner pleads not guilty. See timeline of Rob Reiner case so far

February 23, 2026
Nick Reiner pleads not guilty. See timeline of Rob Reiner case so far

Nick Reinerentered aplea of not guiltyon murder charges over the deaths of his parents, acclaimed director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, on Monday, Feb. 23. It's the latest update in a case thatleft Hollywood reelingfrom the unexpected loss of a couple whose impact extended beyond the realm of entertainment.

USA TODAY

The arraignment on Feb. 23, which had previously been postponed, came two months after the filmmaker and his wife, a photographer and producer, were found dead in their Los Angeles home in December. One day after their bodies were discovered, authorities said that their investigation revealed that Reiner, a 32-year-old screenwriter, was responsible for their deaths.

Here's a timeline of the case so far, including when Reiner will appear in court next.

Dec. 14: Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner are found dead

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign dinner on March 30, 2019, in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department said they responded to a "death investigation" at a Brentwood home and discovered two bodies. In an update later the same day, LAPD shared that the residence has been identified as Rob Reiner's home. Later details would reveal that son Nick Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing his parents in the "early morning hours" of Dec. 14.

Dec. 14: Nick Reiner is arrested

Nick Reiner was arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 14, according to the LAPD on Dec. 15. A day later, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Reiner "fled" before he was later arrested in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.

Dec. 15: Authorities claim Nick Reiner is responsible for parents' death

Los Angeles Police Department claimed Nick Reiner is "responsible" for his parents' deaths, citing their investigation, one day after authorities announced they'd found the husband and wife dead.

<p style=Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends SiriusXM Presents Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend Live With The Cast Of "Spinal Tap 2" at SiriusXM Studios on Sept. 4, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left: C. J. Vanston, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fran Drescher and Rob Reiner attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner speaks onstage at the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Aaron Sorkin, Rob Reiner and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends The Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Television's Comedy Legends at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 21, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Reiner attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left: Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner attend the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Special Guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career.

Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.

Dec. 16: Nick Reiner faces murder charges

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents. Prosecutors added a "special circumstance of multiple murders" and a "special allegation" that Reiner used a deadly weapon — a knife. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life without parole or the death penalty. No decision "has been made with respect to the death penalty," Hochman said during a press conference on Dec. 16.

Dec. 16: Nick Reiner not medically cleared for court appearance

Nick Reiner's then-attorney Alan Jackson said that Reiner "has not been medically cleared" to appear in court, according to a video shared by TMZ.

Advertisement

Dec. 17: Nick Reiner appears in court, siblings speak out

Nick Reinerbriefly appeared in courtin Los Angeles. The same day, his siblings Romy and Jake Reinershared a statementabout the deaths of their parents, calling for speculation "to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave."

Dec. 17: Preliminary cause of death revealed for Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner

Reiner his wife died from"multiple sharp force injuries,"according to online records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reviewed by USA TODAY. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. The county medical examiner announced later December that due to a court order, information about the cause and manner of death for the Reiners would no longer be available.

Jan 7: Nick Reiner's attorney drops out

Nick Reiner was to be arraigned on Jan. 7, but his then-attorney Alan Jackson said he'dno longer be representingthe 32-year-old.

Feb. 23: Nick Reiner pleads not guilty

Nick Reiner entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment.

April 29: Next court appearance

Reiner's next court appearance is set for the end of April.

USA TODAY reporters Anna Kaufman, Bryan Alexander and Edward Segarra contributed to this story.

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Timeline of Nick Reiner case, from arrest, plea and what's next

Read More

Trump considers new national security tariffs after Supreme Court ruling, WSJ reports

February 23, 2026
Trump considers new national security tariffs after Supreme Court ruling, WSJ reports

Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering new national security ‌tariffs on a half-dozen industries after ‌a Supreme Court decision last week that invalidated many ​of his second-term levies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Reuters

The new tariffs, to be issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion ‌Act of 1962, ⁠would be separate from a 15% global levy Trump announced on ⁠Saturday, the report said, citing people familiar with the plans.

Reuters could not immediately confirm ​the report. ​The White House ​did not immediately respond ‌to a Reuters request for comment.

Advertisement

The U.S. Supreme Court last week struck down Trump's sweeping tariffs that he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies. ‌In response, Trump imposed a ​temporary tariff of 10% ​on U.S. ​imports from all countries before raising ‌it to 15%.

The new ​levies could ​cover industries like large-scale batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, plastic piping, industrial chemicals ​and power ‌grid and telecom equipment, the report ​added.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; ​Editing by Nia Williams)

Read More

Activists hang former Prince Andrew’s arrest photo in Louvre

February 23, 2026
Activists hang former Prince Andrew's arrest photo in Louvre

The viral post-arrest photo of formerPrince Andrewin the back of a British police car was temporarily hung in theLouvreover the weekend by a group of activists.

USA TODAY

On Sunday, Feb. 22, the anti-billionaire groupEveryone Hates Elon– referring toElon Musk– hung a framed photo ofAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorin Paris' Louvre Museum with the placard: "He's Sweating Now. 2026." The photo was on display for about 15 minutes before it was removed by museum security, Reuters reported.

The now infamous photo, captured by Reuters photographerPhil Noble, shows the former prince in the backseat of a police vehicle leaving the Aylsham Police Station in Aylsham, England, on Thursday, Feb. 19.

A person looks at a framed picture of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, hung by activists from anti-billionaire campaign group Everyone Hates Elon in the Louvre museum, in Paris, France, February 22, 2026.

"We're sick of obscenely rich, powerful men thinking they can just do as they please," Everyone Hates Elon wrote in anInstagram postabout the photo on Monday, Feb. 23. "So when he was arrested, we wanted to show ex-Prince Andrew how the world will remember him, by hanging his arrest photo in the Louvre."

The Louvre Museum did not wish to make a comment about the photo when contacted by USA TODAY on Feb. 23.

Why was former Prince Andrew arrested?

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, tied to his relationship with the late convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein.

<p style=Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked to disgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The media gather to report near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked police vehicles enter the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, on Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=In this photo illustration, a statement from His Majesty King Charles III via communications at Buckingham Palace pledges his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" to the "appropriate authorities" in response to the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=A person steps out of unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked police vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Police investigate homes tied to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid his arrest

Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked todisgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsoron Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor wasreportedly arrestedon suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.

In thelatest batch of Epstein files, photos show Mountbatten-Windsor with young women whose faces have been obscured. Emails demonstrating his lengthy friendship with Epstein and concerns from law enforcement that he wasn't cooperating with investigations were also in the files.

Advertisement

Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.

What happens next?

If convicted of misconduct in public office, Mountbatten-Windsor would face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but experts like Andrew Lownie, author of "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York," doubts the former prince will stand trial.

The royal family could be in favor of Mountbatten-Windsor fleeing the country as an "easy solution," Lowniepreviously told USA TODAY.

When it comes to the royal family's reputation, Lownie said the British monarchy can recover from the affair, as long as King Charles III is transparent and open to parliamentary scrutiny.

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, Anthony Robledo, Taijuan Moorman, Kim Hjelgaard and Michelle Del Rey, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her atgcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former Prince Andrew's arrest photo hung in Louvre by activists

Read More

Mexican soccer matches postponed by unrest following drug lord's death

February 23, 2026
Mexican soccer matches postponed by unrest following drug lord's death

Four soccer matches in Mexico have been postponed in the wake of the death of a powerful drug cartel leader near Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup this summer.

USA TODAY Sports

Mexican drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera, who's known as "El Mencho,"died Sunday, Feb. 22, from injuries suffered in a shootout with Mexican officialsthat also killed six other cartel members.

The resulting civil unrest forced soccer officials in Mexico to postpone two top-tier matches indefinitely − Queretaro vs. Juarez FC in the men's league and Chivas vs. America in the women's league − and call off a pair of second-division matches.

After reports of El Mencho's death, suspected cartel members blockaded highways with burning cars and torched businesses in more than half a dozen states.

Advertisement

The Mexican national team has a friendly scheduled against Iceland on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro. The status of that game is still in limbo.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Mexican Open men's tennis tournament in Acapulco said the event would begin Monday as scheduled under established security protocols.

Guadalajara is scheduled to host four World Cup matches in June, including two involving South Korea. Co-host Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia will also play there.

Vehicles drive past a burning bus used as a roadblock by organized crime following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Gabriel Trujillo TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Soccer matches postponed amid chaos after Mexican drug kingpin killed

Read More

No one had as bizarre a Sunday as Tony Vitello. What made it so weird?

February 23, 2026
No one had as bizarre a Sunday as Tony Vitello. What made it so weird?

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Tony Vitello's day opened when his players spoiled the suspense ofthe USA men's hockey team's gold medal victorySunday morning, got to meetnew Hall of Famer Jeff Kent, had a fire alarm go off during their game, witnessed the most bizarre play of his life, won a spring-training game, and ended with one of his childhood heroes,Chicago CubsCy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe, stopping by afterwards to say hello.

USA TODAY Sports

Vitello knew life would be different as the first man togo straight from a college to major league managerwith theSan Francisco Giants, but nothing quite prepared him for this.

Each day this spring has been a learning experience for Vitello. He painfully discovered where not to stand in the dugout during games in his spring-training opener Saturday, and then was reminded Sunday not to live-stream a sporting event on your iPhone when you've got a clubhouse full of players watching on live TV.

Vitello was in the middle of rules meetings in the second level of the Giants' clubhouse with the USA-Canada hockey game playing on his cell phone. He was intensely watching the action, bracing himself for overtime, when he heard his players screaming and shouting, and breaking into USA-USA-USA chants.

So when he finally sawJack Hughes score the overtime game-winnerfor the United States' first Olympic hockey gold medal since the "The Miracle on Ice" team, he already knew the outcome.

"When you're streaming stuff,'' said Vitello, a Blues fan growing up in St. Louis, "you better be careful where you're sitting. Their reaction was pretty loud. Pretty awesome to see those guys get awarded the gold medal, pretty special to hear the anthem. Maybe that kind of sets the tone for the WBC (World Baseball Classic).''

<p style=Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Fans of Team United States hold up signs prior to the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States and Jordan Binnington #50 of Team Canada are seen during the warm up prior to the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Players of Team United States and Team Canada warm up prior to the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Players of Team United States and Team Canada warm up prior to the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Fans of Team Canada look on prior to the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Auston Matthews of the United States greets fans before playing against Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

See USA and Canada clash as Olympic rivalry continues

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during theMen's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United Stateson day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

While his players may have ruined his own suspense, it was a lot less painful than his Cactus League debut Saturday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, Arizona, when he was smoked in the left shin by a foul ball by Mariners outfielder Jared Sundstrom

"I've had a broken face twice from baseballs as a coach,'' Vitello said. "I'll be standing in a different place next time."

Then, after the events of Sunday, who could blame Vitello — who had never even attended a spring-training game as a fan, let alone as a player or coach — for wondering if someone has a warped sense of humor initiating him into MLB spring training?

Vitello has witnessed some bizarre things in his 25-year career as a collegiate coach, but the first inning of his first home game as Giants manager could be the ultimate.

It began with the Scottsdale Stadium loudspeakers blaring that an emergency had been reported, with the announcement: "Please cease operations and leave the building.''

Dozens of fans took the advice and scurried for the exits, but crew chief Bill Miller told Giants' veteran starter Robbie Ray to stay put and keep pitching. The game continued even with the announcement recurring for at least five minutes.

"You're trying to play, but your family's in the stands,'' Vitello said. "I'm a condo guy, when the fire alarm goes off, you just assume somebody pulled it or something like that. But that was a little bit of a dicey situation.''

It turned out that someone was smoking in the bathroom, triggering the alarm

"That fire alarm kind of rattled me,'' Ray said. "To be honest, I thought we were just going to wait it out. … I'm looking up in the stands and people are filing out of the stands, and I'm like, we're just going to play through this.''

The bizarro world was just starting, triggering a play that has never happened in the history of a major-league regular season game.

It was a triple play that actually started on a base hit, turning a single into a 4-3-6-5 triple play.

"A triple play on a base hit,'' Ray said, "I've never seen that.''

Said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman: "That'll be a glitch in the Matrix."

It began with Cubs leadoff hitter Matt Shaw walking, stealing second, and Alex Bregman drawing a walk. Seiya Suzuki then hit a single to shallow right field, fielded by second baseman Luis Arraez. Arraez threw home, but third baseman Rafael Devers cut off the throw, and threw out Suzuki trying to reach second. Shortstop Willy Adames, noticing that Shaw never tried to run home and was standing on third base, along with Bregman, ran to third base and tagged out Bregman. He handed the ball to Chapman, and then, inexplicably, Shaw walked off the bag towards the Cubs' dugout. Chapman tagged him, and Shaw was called out, too.

"I still don't know what happened,'' Adames said.

Ray, realizing he just pitched the most outlandish 1-2-3 inning of his life, couldn't stop laughing when he reached the dugout and guys were yelling, "Way to get out of it.''

Normalcy returned the rest of the afternoon, and after the first two games of Vitello's career, the Giants are undefeated, with a clubhouse that has a whole lot of believers in Vitello.

"It's definitely different in here,'' said Ray, 34, the Giants' oldest player. "He's unique because he just brings a different energy every day. It's infectious. And he does stuff you don't necessarily see other managers do.''

When the Giants take infield, or have fielding practice for pitchers, Vitello isn't just standing idly by leaning on his fungo bat or talking to coaches. He's taking grounders with them, or covering first base, or taking cutoffs.

Advertisement

"I think he's going crazy,'' Adames said, laughing. "Nah, he's enjoying it. He has a lot of energy. He's very intense. And he loves to work.

"He's been amazing for us in terms of bringing the energy and trying to push everybody to be better. I think that's something that we needed. I believe he's going to be great for us.''

Feb. 13: New York Yankees Feb. 13: Los Angeles Dodgers Feb. 13: Detroit Tigers Feb. 13: Milwaukee Brewers Feb. 10: Atlanta Braves Feb. 10: San Francisco Giants Feb. 10: Chicago White Sox Feb. 10: Arizona Diamondbacks Feb. 11: Toronto Blue Jays Feb. 11: Philadelphia Phillies Feb. 11: Los Angeles Angels Feb. 11: Athletics Feb. 11: New York Mets Feb. 11: Chicago CUbs Feb. 12: Chicago CUbs Feb. 12: New York Yankees Feb 12, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) warms-up during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Feb. 12: Seattle Mariners Feb. 12: Pittsburgh Pirates

MLB spring training 2026: Sunshine, good vibes in Arizona and Florida

The fundamentals, with as many as 25 players on the field participating in drills, reminds veteran scouts of the college ranks, but, hey, it's what Vitello knows. And certainly it worked with Vitello turning Tennessee into a national power, and winning the NCAA championship in 2024.

"It's different, but it's cool,'' Chapman said. "He's got that young energy and good vibe. I think he's really going to inspire this group.''

While Vitello has been criticized at times for his rambling media sessions, bringing up stories from his college coaching days, and chastising reporters early in the week for prematurely reporting that he had accepted the Giants' managerial job, the players don't seem to mind one bit.

In fact, they've embraced him.

"I love the guy,'' Giants veteran starter Tyler Mahle said. "He's got all of that energy, and that's what you look for in a manager, right? You like to talk to someone who's fiery. He's someone you can connect with like a friend or a teammate, but he's also going to be get on somebody's (butt), too.

"I mean it's early. There's going to be some growing pains. But he's exactly someone you want as manager. I really think he's going to do a great job for us.''

Certainly, no manager will draw more scrutiny than Vitello all season. There are plenty of managers furious that he landed the job without paying his dues in the minors or on a coaching staff. There are veteran managers upset that he's being paid $3.5 million a year, which is more than twice the amount any first-year manager has ever been paid. There are those who want him to fail for fear that it could open the door for more collegiate coaches following him directly into managerial positions.

"I love the move myself,'' one rival GM said. "I think it's creative. I think it's bold. But would I have had the guts to do it? No (expletive) way.''

The folks at Tennessee watched Vitello turn the Vols into a power, and believe he'll have the same impact with the Giants, who haven't had a winning season since 2021. They're disappointed he left, but will forever have his back.

"People absolutely loved him, just a personal guy, taking pictures, signing autographs,'' said Mark Smith, a longtime Tennessee booster who was wearing a Vols championship T-shirt at the game. "I know people want to know why he left Tennessee, but that's a moot point now. I think it's just people looking for controversy.

"You know everything he does will be under the microscope times 1,000. If he makes the right move, people will say, 'Well, he got lucky.' If he makes a bad move, it will be, 'See, we told you he's not ready for it.' That's not fair.

"I think he'll be great.''

Vitello won't be afraid to be unconventional, willing to try different things. There will be times he'll call pitches from the bench, like he's a college coach. They'll be aggressive, perhaps regardless of the score. He'll experiment with the lineup.

For now, he's just trying to get comfortable, getting to know his players, and understand what this big-league life is all about.

"There's a lot of people, and there's a lot to juggle,'' Vitello says. "We've had conversations about trying to see as much as you can, and learn as much as you can, especially with personnel. I don't think anything too drastic.

"It's just something will pop up on the radar screen that's like, 'Well, I used to do that, but I don't do that now.' Like, I've got enough help around here. I feel like I don't even have to tie my shoes if I didn't want to.

"I feel comfortable, but I don't know, you don't want to get too comfortable. It's probably not a good thing.''

Certainly, not in this business, where there are 10 new managers than a year ago.

But then again, there has never been a hire like Vitello, either.

"I was so excited to see him hired because I've seen Tennessee play, and I've seen the kind of energy they have on the field,'' Giants infielder Casey Schmitt says. "You can see that same energy here. There's definitely a different kind of vibe here, a different kind of energy.

"I know people are curious to see how this will work, but I think this is going to be great for us. Everyone is going to see the impact he makes.''

Now, if he can just survive this crazy spring training.

Follow Nightengale on X:@BNightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Giants' Tony Vitello's bizarre day: Fire alarm and a triple play

Read More