- The Marlins exercised their option on Ng, 54, but she declined to exercise her option
- Ng became the first female GM in U.S. men’s sports when she took the job in 2021
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Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng will not return to the team next season after declining her 2024 option.
Ng took the job in late 2020, becoming the first woman to serve as general manager of a team in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues.
She had a successful 2023, helping the Marlins reach the postseason, where they were defeated in the wild card round by the Philadelphia Phillies.
It’s unclear if she has an offer from another team, but there are several openings around the majors, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
ESPN reports that Ng decided to leave after majority owner Bruce Sherman told her he planned to hire someone to oversee the baseball operations department, effectively demoting her.
Kim Ng (right), general manager of the Miami Marlins, hugs owner Bruce Sherman (left)
Since deciding to leave, Ng has spoken with Tyler Kepner of The Athletic and said Sherman had a different vision for her department than she did.
“Last week, Bruce [Sherman] and I discussed his plan to revamp the baseball operations department,” she told Kepner. “It became clear in our conversations that we weren’t entirely on the same page about what this should look like, and I thought it best to walk away from it.”
“I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Marlins family and their fans for my time in South Florida.” This year was a big step forward for the organization and I will miss working with them [manager] Skip [Schumaker] and its coaches, as well as all of the dedicated baseball operations staff and throughout the front office. “They are a very talented group and I wish them every success in the future.”
The Marlins issued a far less detailed statement earlier Monday.
“The Miami Marlins announce today that Kim Ng will not return as general manager of the club,” the team statement said. “Although the club exercised their team option for their return for the 2024 season, Kim declined their reciprocal option. We thank Kim for her contributions during her time with our organization and wish her and her family all the best.
Ng (front) celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Pirates to secure a playoff spot
“We will immediately begin a thorough and comprehensive search for new executives as we plan to continue to invest in the Marlins organization both on and off the field.” “We are committed and committed to our fans and the South Florida community “Use the momentum of the great progress made this year.”
Ng (pronounced “Ang”) was the highest-ranking woman in a team’s baseball operations department.
The University of Chicago graduate has more than 30 years of MLB experience, including 21 years in the front office of the Chicago White Sox (1990-96), New York Yankees (1998-2001) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-11). ). ).
Ng was also the first Asian American to hold the top position in the baseball operations department of an MLB team.
Referee Alfonso Marquez inspects Citi Field as Marlins GM Kim Ng looks on in September
“I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next general manager,” Ng said upon his hiring in 2021.
“We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative and creative baseball operation with an incredibly talented and dedicated workforce that has laid a great foundation for success over the past few years.”
The team has improved since they were hired: 67-95 in 2021, 69-93 in 2022 and 84-78 this season to earn a wild card spot.
Some of Ng’s biggest moves included acquiring pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Pablo Lopez and extending the contract of 2022 National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.