The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Marlins make history with hire of their GM
Kim Ng became the highestranking woman in baseball operations in the major leagues when she was hired Nov. 13 as general manager of the Miami Marlins.
MIAMI » Kim Ng started her Major League Baseball career as an intern, and three decades later she’s still on the rise while shattering ceilings.
Ng became the majors’ highest-ranking woman in baseball operations when she was hired Friday as general manager of the Miami Marlins. She is believed to be the first female GM in a major professional sport in North America, the Marlins said.
“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.
Ng (pronounced Ang) 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 (200211). She spent the past nine years with MLB as a senior vice president.
“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.”
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter played for the Yankees when Ng worked for them.
“We look forward to Kim
bringing a wealth of knowledge and championshiplevel experience to the Miami Marlins,” Jeter said in a statement. “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.”
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.
Ng, 51, is also a groundbreaking Asian American. She joins at the top ranks of her profession the San Francisco Giants’ president of baseball operations, Farhan Zaidi. She becomes the fifth person to hold the Marlins’ top position in baseball operations and succeeds Michael Hill, who was not retained after the 2020 season.
A virtual news conference for Ng is planned for Monday.
“A l l of u s at Major League Baseball are t h r i l le d for K im and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said i n 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.”