Alyssa Nakken, who made history as the first woman to coach in a Major League Baseball game, is set to leave the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken, a former college softball standout at Sacramento State, took on the role of first-base coach for the Giants in 2022 after an ejection incident. Her appointment to manager Gabe Kapler's staff in 2020 marked a significant milestone as the majors' first full-time female coach.
At the age of 34, Nakken will be taking on a new role as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians. The team, led by first-year manager Stephen Vogt, clinched the AL Central title last season. Nakken will be collaborating with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa in her new position, with specific responsibilities yet to be finalized.
The Giants expressed gratitude for Nakken's contributions, acknowledging her trailblazing impact on women in sports and her transformative influence within the organization and the baseball community. They commended her leadership, dedication, and passion for the game, wishing her success in her future endeavors.
Nakken will be the second female on-field coach for the Guardians, following the hiring of Amanda Kamekona as their hitting development coach for the year-round training academy in Goodyear, Arizona. Kamekona, a former third-team All-American at UCLA, previously served as an assistant hitting coach at Double-A Akron.
As Nakken embarks on this new chapter in her career, her appointment underscores the ongoing progress towards gender diversity and inclusion in professional sports. Her journey continues to inspire individuals and pave the way for future generations of women in baseball.
Source: AP MLB
