“Nervous Is an Understatement” – Rachel Balkovec Opens Up on Her Historic Debut With New York Yankees in Minor League

Rachel Balkovec is already on the path to being one of the most influential faces of this decade. Also, being the first female manager of a minor league team brings a whole load of responsibility.

As the 2022 season gets on, Balkovec will look to grow into the role. But as anyone would be, she seemed nervous to take on her role on Opening Day with the Tampa Bay Tarpons. Taking responsibility for the New York Yankees’ affiliate team, Balkovec’s 2022 season will be one to watch out for.

Rachel Balkovec is to take charge of an MLB affiliate team. Also, she will be looking to reinforce her bid to be the first to take charge of an MLB team as well. Coming up through the Yankees’ management chain, Balkovec was elevated to her current position earlier this year and has since gone from strength to strength.

Taking on the Lakeland Flying Tigers, her team, the Tarpons took on the Detroit Tigers’ affiliate to walk out 9-6 victors. But the true test for Balkovec was before the game.

Read More: “I Was Blatantly Discriminated”- Rachel Balkovec Opens Up on Struggle After Historic Victory With New York Yankees Minor League Team

Rachel Balkovec opens up on managing during the game

Ruled out of appearing at early-season games with an injury sustained in training, Balkovec’s maiden appearance at the dugout was itself an event. Talking to the media about it, she seemed plenty aware of its significance too.

When asked about making her way to exchange lineups with her counterpart, she had the perfect description of how she felt. Said Balkovec, “Nervous is an understatement.”

Balkovec seems to be the last person to take herself lightly. Speaking about her mental state before the game, she added, “There’s definitely the weight of the world on my shoulders type thing. Which is normal, it comes with the territory.”

Balkovec also acknowledged the Yankees organization and credited them with allowing her to manage. Said Balkovec, “Overall the feelings leading up to it were just a couple of things. You know I would say again gratitude for the women who have come before me and to the Yankees again.”

She added, “the Yankees have been doing this for a long time long before inclusion was a buzzword.”

Mindful of the platform that affords her, Balkovec also was hyper-aware of the responsibilities that come with it. When asked how she was handling it, she had a measured response. Said Balkovec, “My perspective on it is just that it’s my responsibility because I do know how critical it was for me to have visible ideas of women who weren’t obviously doing these things, but were doing things different.”

Balkovec is setting examples for girls across the country, and she knows it well. Said Balkovec, “When you wear this jersey you’re representing something bigger than you and I have to be the example of that as well.”

Watch This Story: From Rachel Balkovec to Alyssa Nakken – Women That Are Breaking Barriers in MLB

Do you think that MLB will see more women in charge as time goes on? Do you want to see more women take charge of MLB teams? Who do you think is next in line?