The Miami Marlins named Kim Ng as their general manager on Friday, making her the first female GM in MLB history. She became the highest-ranking woman in baseball operations across all 30 teams and also is the first Asian American GM in baseball history.
Her name, to me, wasn’t a new one. After years where she has been mentioned as a possibility, or “considered” for similar positions, she gets to have her name cemented in an up-and-coming organization with the prestigious GM title.
Ng, who was among those who interviewed for the Giants' president baseball of operations job in 2018 before the team hired Farhan Zaidi, has more than 30 years of experience in the game.
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SIGN UP HERE Before we touch on her resumé, the significance of the hire is bigger than baseball.
Women across the industry, including the one writing this column, gushed at the shattering of glass ceilings and proved we want to be known for our work, without associating it with our gender.
She is the perfect example of not giving up no matter how many “No's” we receive. She was up for the San Diego Padres' GM position in 2014, but fell short.
Ng's hiring is a reminder that we don’t want to be good for a woman, we just want to be recognized as being good for what we bring to the table.
Ng is more than "good." She sets the standard for front-office positions, and her work speaks for itself. Period.
Giants public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon and A's pitcher Chris Bassitt were among those who congratulated Ng on social media.
Ng said in the Marlins’ statement on Friday announcing the news she is “dogged in the pursuit of my goals.” There is no more perfect way to describe her and her journey. This is her dream job, and she never took “no” for an answer in getting there.
She started her career with the Chicago White Sox as an intern before becoming full-time with the team in 1991. She later was promoted to assistant director of operations in 1995. That year, she became the first woman, and youngest person, to present a salary arbitration case in MLB.
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She won that case.
Ng also worked in the American League front office in 1997, then served as the New York Yankees assistant GM from 1998-01, Dodgers vice president and assistant GM from 2002-11 and most recently was MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball and Softball Development.
She joins former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in the Marlins organization, who now is the CEO and co-owner of the team. Ng was part of the 10-year, $189 million contract extension the Yankees gave Jeter while she worked under GM Brian Cashman.
Now, Ng will oversee the department with Jeter, vice president of baseball operations and scouting Gary Denbo, as well as the pro, amateur and international departments.
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Ng added in her statement: "This challenge is one I don't take lightly.”
Congratulations on history, Ng. While you were the first woman to be hired as a GM in MLB, you will not be the last.