by Tanner Hittesdorf
(Kim Ng in 2007, Photo Copyright: Bryce Duffey)
The big news out of MLB is the hiring by the Miami Marlins of their new acting general manager, Kim Ng. Ng, for reference sake, is the first woman to become a general manager in Major League Baseball (and all of sports) history; she is also the first Asian American to become a general manager in MLB history. It is a historically significant event and could be a major turning point in the world of sports. There could be no better person to blaze that trail than Ng.
Ng began her career in Major League Baseball as the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations for the Chicago White Sox in 1990 until 1996. In 1995, she was among the youngest persons, and first woman, to ever file a salary arbitration case in MLB, regarding pitcher Alex Fernandez. She ended up winning that case. Following the 1997 MLB season, Ng was hired by the New York Yankees in March of 1998 to become Brian Cashman’s assistant general manager. Ng was among only four women to hold the position, and by far the youngest. It was there she won 3 World Series titles as an executive. She would retain the position until 2001, for which she would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers the next year.
In 2005, Ng was interviewed for the vacant general managerial position of the Dodgers, but was passed over in favor of Ned Colletti. Kim Ng held the position of Dodgers assistant general manager until 2011, when she became the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for the MLB. It was only a matter of time before Ng became a general manager, and with her pedigree, the time has finally come.
Kim Ng very much should very much be considered as a major influence for young women everywhere. I have the feeling that she will do very well with the position. Perhaps we’ll begin to see more women taking up higher positions in sports soon. You never know.