Tennessee Volunteers' pitcher chatted with Tony Vitello about a cinematic classic on the mound during Vols' win

The Tennessee Volunteers are your huckleberry in 2024.  Or perhaps the Vols' opponents feel like someone just walked over their grave this year.  

Whichever movie quote you want to drop from the 1993 classic Tombstone, there is probably a way to incorporate it into the Vols' performance this season.  

As it turns out, the movie has become something of a running thing with Tony Vitello and it appears at least one pitcher that he took out of the game.  Vitello met with the media on Thursday after Tennessee's 7-4 win over Texas A&M, and the Vols' head coach noted that his starter made reference to the classic Western film on the mound. 

"This [pitching] staff has been used differently and done thing differently, but they're all very willing to do whatever it is you ask them to do, including hand you the ball," Vitello said.  "[Stamos] wanted to talk to me about the movie Tombstone out there when I took the ball from his hand and little does he know - I think you guys know - there's some history with that movie and us. 

"And then, same thing.  Causey, as soon as he saw me out there, I've seen that look before.  He wanted no part of coming out of the game.  By the time I get to that point, he's talking to his teammates about what you've got to do, and he hands the ball off to Kirby.  

"I would describe willing and unselfish out of those two groups, and it's nice they're in the same dugout together."

While Vitello made reference to the movie being a thing regarding the team, it's particularly noteworthy to look at what it means that Thursday's starter Chris Stamos made mention of it as Vitello was taking him out of the game.  On a larger scale, it means that players have the mindset that they're able to stay relaxed and have fun.  That they're not getting uptight and are able to stay in the moment while having some fun.  

Regardless of what happens in Hoover, the Vols are in position to make a run at their third trip to Omaha in four seasons. And with the run this team is on this season and with everyone being loose in the dugout and on the field, it feels like that is a legitimate possibility. 

Isn't that a daisy?