Kim Ng: Jeremy Lin, Michelle Obama and Billie Jean King congratulate Miami Marlins GM

The world has reacted to new Florida Marlins GM Kim Ng making history as the first woman to hold the role in Major League Baseball with an outpouring of congratulations on social media.

Ng, 51, has also become the first Chinese-American to be named GM and is widely understood to be the first female GM in North America’s big four leagues.

Congratulations for what many have described as a long overdue appointment for the 30-year baseball veteran have been widespread from baseball and beyond, with the LPGA and National Women’s Hockey League among other sports organisations to mark the appointment.

NBA champion Jeremy Lin, who became the first Chinese-American to win the NBA last year with the Toronto Raptors, was among those to express their congratulations on Twitter.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama also heaped on the praise for Ng, even if she is not a Marlins fan.

“So excited to see Kim Ng named the first woman and first Asian-American General Manager in the MLB. I grew up loving the Cubs, but I’ll be cheering you on!”

Tennis legend Billie-Jean King, long an advocate for representation and pay equality, was similarly effusive.

“Congratulations to Kim Ng, the new #Marlins GM,” King wrote.

“With 30 years’ experience as a baseball executive, she’s made history as the first woman and first Asian-American to hold the top post in a baseball operations department. Progress!”

Actor Daniel Dae Kim made reference to Ng becoming the first Asian-American, and only second GM with Asian heritage.

“Watch out for falling glass … and bamboo,” wrote the Lost star. “Congratulations, #KimNg!”

Kim Ng becomes first woman, first Asian-American GM in Major League Baseball

“Empowered women empower women,” wrote Major League Baseball’s official Twitter account.

That was the caption they added to a photo of Ng and a quote she gave to Modern Wellness Guide.

“I was fortunate enough to have strong, independent women in my life when I was growing up … the least I can do is pay that forward”

The New York Yankees – where Ng was named as assistant general manager in 1998 at the age of 29, becoming the youngest in the league at the time – offered their own congratulations to their former staffer.

The Bronx Bombers posted a photo of Ng with the message “Congrats on this historic accomplishment, Kim. It’s historic and well deserved.”

This image was captioned with three handclap emojis.

The Chicago White Sox, where Ng began her MLB career as an intern at 21, also posted their well wishes.

“Congratulations to Kim Ng on making history,” they wrote. “We‘re proud that the White Sox were one step on your baseball journey.”

The sentiment was backed by the Major League Baseball Players Association, who wrote that “Players across baseball congratulate Kim Ng on her barrier breaking achievement”.

Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas was among the players to send their individual messages.

“Welcome to Miami Kim, excited to go to work with you and bring a championship to this city,” Rojas wrote.

Cole Tucker of the Pittsburgh Pirates was another player to post. “Love this. Historic day for our sport,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez also congratulated the franchise for appointing Ng.

“Congrats to @Marlins not only for trailblazing but more importantly for getting the best general manager in baseball. Kudos to #derekjeter,” he wrote.

Former Yankees shortstop Jeter took over the Marlins in 2017.

Elsewhere, New York senator and Senate democratic leader Chuck Schumer offered the state’s praise.

Congratulations to Kim Ng, the first woman to become a General Manager in the @MLB. Her time with the @Yankees and the @MLB makes New York so proud of her!”