The Miami Marlins made history by appointing Kim Ng as their first-ever female general manager in 2020. Photo by Joseph Guzy/Miami Marlins
Oct. 16 (UPI) — Kim Ng, who famously became the first female general manager in Major League Baseball (MLB), has decided not to renew her contract option for 2024 and will not be returning to the Miami Marlins, the team announced Monday.
“We express our gratitude to Kim for all her valuable contributions during her tenure with our organization and extend our best wishes to her and her family,” said Bruce Sherman, owner of the Marlins, in an official press release.
Sherman revealed that while the Marlins exercised their option for Ng to continue in her role, she chose not to proceed with the mutual agreement. Hence, he is now initiating a search for a new leader for the team’s front office.
Hired by the Marlins in 2020, Ng had previously spent nine years as the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations for MLB, in addition to her experience with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ng, who is 54 years old, explained to The Athletic that she was “not entirely in agreement“ with Sherman regarding the Marlins’ future plans.
“Last week, Bruce and I had a discussion about his vision for restructuring the baseball operations department,” Ng told The Athletic. “During our conversations, it became evident that our views on what that should entail were not completely aligned, and I believed it was best for me to step aside.”
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Marlins achieved a record of 31-29. Ng’s first full season as general manager in 2021 saw the team finish with a record of 67-95, while in 2022, they ended with a record of 69-93, failing to reach the playoffs for the second time under Ng’s leadership.
In 2023, the Marlins demonstrated improved performance with an 84-78 record, securing a playoff berth as the third-place team in their division. However, they were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the postseason.
Since owner Bruce Sherman acquired the Marlins in 2017, the franchise has undergone significant transformations.
Derek Jeter, a Yankees legend and part of the new ownership group, resigned as CEO in 2022. Additionally, the Marlins parted ways with manager Don Mattingly after the 2022 season and hired Skip Shumaker as his replacement in October.
Ng implemented a roster overhaul during the previous off-season, making notable acquisitions like second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Arraez went on to lead MLB with a batting average of .354.
The Marlins also added first baseman Yuli Gurriel, designated hitter Jorge Soler, and first baseman Josh Bell, as well as third baseman Jake Burger, among others, as part of their recent efforts to revamp the team’s roster.
