The events of MLB are full of pleasant surprises. In an amazing turn of events for the Miami Marlins, the GM of the team stands strong and steady with her latest badge of achievement. But this achievement comes with a taste of history that she and the former CEO shared a year ago. 

Though the Marlins’ postseason run was brief – winding up after a defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, it was a special run. Kim Ng is now recognized as the first female GM of a Major League team that made it to the playoffs. In a brief stint of three seasons, she pulled up one of the lowest-ranked teams to the postseason. Thanks to the special Derek Jeter. 

Derek Jeter’s Intuitive Move Paid Off

The former CEO and part owner of the Miami Marlins, Derek Jeter, helped Kim Ng conquer this feat. Back in 2020, Jeter made the strategic decision to onboard Ng as a colleague while he was still an active part of the Marlins. With that came feathers to Kim’s hat. Not only did she become the first woman GM in four male-dominated major sports in the US, but she was also historically the second Asian descendant that ever held the position. She entered with a bang owing to Jeter’s move. However, there is a surprising story behind this. 

On one hand, Jeter served his role at Miami from September 2017 to February 2022 before things got sour with the $500 million Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. On the other, Kim, 54, landed this leading executive position at an MLB team. 2023 became the first whole year, she ran the show by herself.

Well, in 2021, Jeter told “Today” show, “Kim was the first person I called. She was the only person I called”. This displays the belief he has had in her always. Ng earned credibility right from the time of her association with the Yankees. 

Kim Ng had been the assistant GM for the New York Yankees, youngest assistant GM in the majors, for 3 World Series-winning seasons consecutively. Although her contribution was not unknown, Jeter knew that the move he made would yield positive results, and it did. Nevertheless, Ng had a rough start. 

Kim Ng’s General Manager Journey

When she joined the table as a top executive at the Miami Marlins, the team was grappling with serious, seemingly unsolvable problems. The struggles ranged from the loss of huge players to meager attendance to substandard budgets. Bruce Sherman knew it. But with Ng’s drive combined with Jeter’s belief in her, it all worked out in the end. Quite a solid hit-back at Bruce. However, one should note that Kim’s journey to the top however has been a tough one. 

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Before she landed her role as a GM with the Marlins, her 30 years of experience in MLB came to play. During that time, she was a part of the Yankees, one of the top franchises in the big leagues. Not to mention Los Angeles Dodgers, who joined the bandwagon too. Ng went through the interview process for other general manager roles as well before making it successfully to Miami. All worked out well and with the tremendous responsibility ahead, only time will reveal the Marlins’ future. 

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