Miami Marlins: Kim Ng becomes first female GM in MLB history

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 17: A general view of the Miami Marlins logo in the outfield during an intrasquad game at Marlins Park at Marlins Park on July 17, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 17: A general view of the Miami Marlins logo in the outfield during an intrasquad game at Marlins Park at Marlins Park on July 17, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

In being named the general manager of the Miami Marlins, Kim Ng becomes the first female and first Asian-American GM in MLB history.

Kim Ng and the Miami Marlins made history on Friday. The Marlins announced Ng as their new general manager, according to CBS Sports. Ng becomes the first female general manager in MLB history. She is also the first Asian-American GM, male or female, in league history.

According to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, it’s also believed that Ng is the first female GM in a North American men’s professional sports league.

Ng has enjoyed lifelong success working in professional baseball. The 51-year-old moves to the Marlins after serving nine years as MLB’s senior vice president of baseball operations.

She began her career with the Chicago White Sox back in 1990 as an intern. An exceptional front office addition, by 1995 Ng was named assistant director of baseball operations. Following a short stint with the league office from 1997-98, Ng became the youngest assistant general manager in the league, taking a job with the New York Yankees.

Ng won three World Series in New York before leaving to take the same position with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a position she held until 2011.

“I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and, after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next General Manager,” Ng said. “We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative, creative baseball operation made up of incredibly talented and dedicated staff who have, over the last few years, laid a great foundation for success.”

This was a notable hire for Marlins CEO Derek Jeter. Ng worked closely with Gary Denbo, Jeter’s top adviser, during her tenure with the Yankees. Additionally, Ng had been in the running for the general manager positions with Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres.

After a 31-29 record in 2020, and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2003, the Miami Marlins looks to take the next step from rebuild to contender. Ng is seen as a key addition to help propel the Marlins in this process.