Alyssa Nakken is making history once again, challenging the norms in Major League Baseball. Known as the first woman to coach on the field in a major league game, she is now in the spotlight as a managerial candidate for the San Francisco Giants. As a groundbreaking figure in the sport, Nakken is making a significant impact on the future of women in baseball.
The San Francisco Giants have formally interviewed assistant coach Alyssa Nakken for their manager position, per @extrabaggs pic.twitter.com/Lo1BFbncq7
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 15, 2023
After missing the postseason for a third time in four tries, the San Francisco Giants announced they were firing manager Gabe Kapler with three games remaining in the 2023 season. He was 295-248 over three-plus seasons, with the Giants winning a franchise-record 107 games and edging the 106-win Dodgers for the NL West title in 2021 before missing the playoffs the last two seasons. President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said he hopes to find a new manager by the start of free agency to replace Kapler, and confirmed Sunday night that Nakken had gone through a first-round interview last week. Zaidi commented,
“We want somebody who can be an effective recruiter. Like every organization, we want to build a brand of players wanting to come here and I think the manager is a big part of that.”
Alyssa Nakken's journey in baseball started when she joined the San Francisco Giants as a baseball operations intern in 2014. Prior to joining Giants staff, she was a standout college softball player at Sacramento State. She later moved into a hybrid role in the front office, coordinating health and wellness initiatives, business development, and event logistics, until becoming the first woman to ever join an MLB coaching staff when she was promoted to assistant coach in 2020.
Over the past four seasons, Nakken has worked tirelessly as an assistant coach for the Giants, with a focus on baserunning, outfield instruction, and in-game preparation. Her contributions extended beyond coaching, as she served as a dugout liaison to pinch hitters during the Giants' record-breaking 2021 season. Nakken made history in April 2022 when she took over as first base coach during a game against the San Diego Padres after an umpire ejected the previous coach.
The @SFGiants have interviewed Alyssa Nakken for the Manager position.
Here's the clip of her becoming the first woman to coach on a MLB field last year. (Ignore the absolute misogyny from the announcers). Wait for the end to see who shakes her hand
The Glass Ceiling is shaking pic.twitter.com/9jGsnVz6Jn— Ladies Who Like Baseball (@LONTDC1) October 15, 2023
Nakken has earned the respect of players and coaching staff alike for her problem-solving abilities and her excellent people skills. Her unique perspective has allowed her to provide valuable insights and foster open communication within the team.
"I never felt different from the other coaches. I didn’t feel like the guys would treat me different. My mindset was that I respect these guys and if it does take them a while to come around to me, that’s fine. I have patience.”
Nakken's career is filled with groundbreaking achievements, she remains humble and focused. Her approach is one of continuous improvement, demonstrating that she belongs in the world of baseball. She has expressed her interest in pursuing roles like manager or bench coach, and her accomplishments thus far certainly support her aspirations.
#SFGiants coach Alyssa Nakken is now the first woman to ever interview for a MLB manager's position: https://t.co/cuVNQ1DYmL pic.twitter.com/vTG5F5uLUf
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) October 16, 2023
While there’s never been a full-time female head coach in any major American men’s professional sport, the San Antonio Spurs probably came the closest: Becky Hammon was the heir apparent to Gregg Popovich before agreeing to a $1-million-per-year contract to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, who promptly won an WNBA title. Additionally, Kim Ng was hired in 2020 by then-Marlins CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter. It made her the first-ever woman general manager — not only in professional baseball, but in the four major North American men’s sports — and the second person of Asian descent to become an MLB GM.
Alyssa Nakken's journey in baseball is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and the belief that women can excel in a male-dominated sport. Whether or not she becomes the San Francisco Giants' manager, Nakken is setting an example for the next generation of women who aspire to make their mark in the world of sports.
