Unveiling Gender Disparities: Kim Ng’s Departure Accentuates MLB’s Lack of Equal Representation

Major League Baseball is now without a female general manager. On Monday, the Miami Marlins announced that Kim Ng will not be returning as the club’s General Manager.

Ng made history in November 2020 when she shattered the glass ceiling, becoming MLB’s first female general manager. She held the highest-ranking position for a woman in a major men’s North American professional sports front office.

The decision to part ways with the Marlins was made by Ng. In a press release, the Marlins organization expressed their gratitude for her contributions and wished her and her family well.

According to ESPN, the Marlins had plans to hire a president of baseball operations, which would have left Ng in a subordinate position. Many speculate that Ng’s departure was due to her desire to retain her role as the final decision-maker.

In an interview with the Athletic, Ng hinted at the reasons for her departure. She mentioned a misalignment of visions with Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman in reshaping the baseball operations department.

Ng played a crucial role in turning around the struggling Marlins team. She led the team to their first playoffs since 2003 and was credited for successful player acquisitions.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker praised Ng’s leadership and the respect she garnered from players and staff.

Given Ng’s historic rise in MLB, it’s natural to question how her gender played a role in her departure and future prospects. Studies have shown that exceptional women are often undervalued and seen as less likely to leave an organization compared to their male counterparts.

Leaving the Marlins may pose risks for Ng, as women face gender biases in hiring and breaking into male-dominated roles in baseball. Ng faced multiple unsuccessful interviews before landing the Marlins job, and currently, the Boston Red Sox is the only team with an opening in a similar position.

In a positive development, the San Francisco Giants recently interviewed Alyssa Nakken for their open manager position. Nakken, the first woman on a big-league coaching staff, is believed to be the first woman to officially interview for a Major League Baseball managerial job.

Nakken’s interview opportunity is especially significant as she is currently pregnant. Her due date is just before the start of spring training.