Marlins hire Kim Ng as GM, a breakthrough for ladies in sports
Kim Ng has become the highest-ranking woman in baseball operations within the major leagues after being hired Friday as head of the Miami Marlins
Kim Ng started her big league Baseball career as an intern, and three decades later she's still on the increase and shattering ceilings
Ng became the majors' highest-ranking woman and Asian American in baseball operations when she was hired Friday as head of the Miami Marlins. She is believed to be the primary female GM during a major professional sport in North America, the Marlins said
Ng (pronounced Ang) won three World Series rings while spending 21 years within the front offices of the Chicago White Sox (1990-96), ny Yankees (1998-2001) and l. a. Dodgers (2002-11). She spent the past nine years with MLB as a senior vice chairman
“After decades of determination, it's the respect of my career to steer the Miami Marlins,” Ng said during a statement. “When I got into this business, it seemed unlikely a lady would lead a serious league team, but i'm dogged within the pursuit of my goals. My goal is now to bring championship baseball to Miami.”
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter played for the Yankees when Ng worked for them
“We anticipate to Kim bringing a wealth of data and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins,” Jeter said during a statement. “Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a serious role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive add expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the sport among our local youth as we still make a positive impact on the South Florida community.”
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 chairman is one among the very best ranking women in professional sports
Ng, 51, becomes the fifth person to carry the Marlins' top position in baseball operations and succeeds Michael Hill, who wasn't retained after the 2020 season
The Marlins achieved surprising progress in Year 3 of Jeter’s rebuilding effort, reaching the playoffs for the primary time since 2003 and sweeping the Chicago Cubs within the wild-card round. They were swept by the Atlanta Braves within the National League Division Series
A virtual press conference for Ng is planned for Monday
“All folks at big league Baseball are thrilled for Kim and therefore the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said during a statement. “Kim’s appointment makes history altogether of professional sports and sets a big example for the many women and girls who love baseball and softball. The diligence , leadership, and record of accomplishment throughout her long career within the national pastime led to the present outcome.”
The Miami Dolphins' Brian Flores, one among four head coaches of color the NFL, was among those to applaud Ng's hiring
“It's phenomenal,” Flores said. “Anyone who thinks a lady can’t manage or coach or lead, I think, is silly. Kudos to the Marlins.”
Ng started her baseball career as a White Sox intern and rose to become assistant director of baseball operations. She worked for the American League for one year then joined the Yankees, becoming the youngest assistant head in MLB at 29, and only the second woman to achieve that position with a serious league club. She was the Dodgers' vice chairman and assistant head
With MLB, Ng directed international baseball operations, working with the front offices of the main league clubs and lots of other baseball leagues and entities round the world. She 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
Ng graduated from the University of Chicago, where she played softball and earned a degree publicly policy