Kim Ng makes history as first woman, first Asian-American general manager in Major League Baseball

Kim Ng became the majors’ highest-ranking woman and Asian-American in baseball operations when she was hired on 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.

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 (2002-11). She spent the past nine years with MLB as a senior vice-president.

“After decades of determination, it is the honour 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 chief executive Derek Jeter played for the Yankees when Ng worked for them.

“We look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level 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 chief executive 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, whose father is an American of Chinese descent and whose mother is Thailand-born and of Chinese descent, 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.