Major League Baseball (MLB)’s Miami Marlins made history on Friday, Nov. 13 when they hired Kim Ng to be their next general manager, becoing the first North American sports franchise to hire a female general manager. The Marlins, managed by incoming Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, made the decision to hire Ng coming off of a surprise playoff berth in the COVID-19-shortened season. In addition to becoming the first female general manager in North American sports, Ng also now holds the distinction of becoming the first Asian-American general manager in MLB history.

“This challenge is one I don’t take lightly. 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,” Ng said in a statement. “My goal is now to bring Championship baseball to Miami. I am both humbled and eager to continue building the winning culture our fans expect and deserve.”

Ng started her 30-year baseball managerial career with the Chicago White Sox and moved her way up the ranks to become the White Sox’s director of baseball operations. After working for the American League for one year, Ng moved to the New York Yankees, where she became the youngest assistant general manager in the majors at 29 years old, and just the second woman to hold that position in a major league club. She was also vice president and assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

She has most recently worked in the MLB offices as the league’s senior vice president of baseball operations for the last nine years. In her time working for the league, Ng directed international baseball operations, including setting policy for and enforcing international signing rules and managing protocol for signing international players. 

“All of us at Major League Baseball are thrilled for Kim and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in 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. The hard work, leadership, and record of achievement throughout her long career in the National Pastime led to this outcome, and we wish Kim all the best as she begins her career with the Marlins.”

After their first playoff appearance since 2003, the Marlins will look to build off of their unexpected success with Ng at the helm. As she takes control of Miami’s baseball operations, she will serve as an inspiration and pioneer for millions of women and Asian-Americans around the world in the baseball industry and the sports world as a whole.