Marlins hire first woman GM in MLB history
November 20, 2020
Last week, Major League Baseball had a major breakthrough for women with the Miami Marlins' hiring of Kim Ng, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball & Softball Development, as its General Manager. She is believed to be the first woman to become a GM of any professional men's team in the major North American sports.
She is also only the second person of Asian descent to lead an MLB team, following Giants president of baseball operations and former Dodgers GM, Farhan Zaidi.
In a news conference on Monday, Ng stated: “The idea that it has affected this many people is just extraordinary...I thought it would be a big deal, but this is beyond my expectations -- and I think beyond many peoples' expectations. But I think that really is a testament to where we are. People are looking for hope. People are looking for inspiration. I'm happy that this is a part of it.”
Ng began her career at the MLB as an intern three decades ago and has since won three World Series rings, while spending 21 years in the front offices of the Chicago White Sox (1990-96), New York Yankees (1998-2001) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-11). For the past nine years, she directed international baseball operations, working with the front offices of the major league clubs and many other baseball leagues and entities around the world.
“I think this is the most noteworthy day for baseball since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947,” said Richard Lapchick, an expert on race and gender in sports at the University of Central Florida.
“After decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins,” Ng said in a statement. “When I got into this business, it seemed unlikely a woman would lead a major league team, but I am dogged in the pursuit of my goals. My goal is now to bring championship baseball to Miami.”
“We look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins. Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community,” says Marlins CEO Derek Jeter, who played for the Yankees when Ng worked for them.
Jeter became baseball’s first Black CEO after his group bought the Marlins in 2017. He then hired Caroline O’Connor, who as senior vice president is one of the highest-ranking women in professional sports.
“All of us at Major League Baseball are thrilled for Kim and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Kim’s appointment makes history in all of professional sports and sets a significant example for the millions of women and girls who love baseball and softball. The hard work, leadership and record of achievement throughout her long career in the national pastime led to this outcome.”
In the MLB front office, NG led a team that set policy for and enforced international signing rules, established MLB’s first system for registering international players for signing, managed protocols for signing international players and negotiated agreements with international winter leagues.
Jean Afterman, who has been the Yankees’ assistant GM since succeeding Ng nearly 20 years ago, said her predecessor possesses talents that are gender-blind.
“It is a tremendous achievement to be the first female GM in Major League Baseball, and I hope young girls (and boys) take notice of this and further understand that there are no limits to their dreams,” Afterman said in a written statement. “I congratulate the Marlins — that after a remarkable season, during extraordinary times — they have broken a barrier that needed shattering.”