The San Francisco Giants have hired Alyssa Nakken as the first female coach in Major League Baseball history. The former softball standout from Sacramento State then received her master’s degree from the University of San Francisco in sports management.
She joined the Giants as an intern in the baseball operations department in 2014.
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She, along with Mark Hallberg, have been hired as assistant coaches. Hallberg joined the Giants in 2018 as a fundamentals coach having managed Minor League teams prior.
“Alyssa and Mark are highly respected members of the organization and I’m delighted that they will now focus their talents on helping to build a winning culture in the clubhouse”, new manager Gabe Kapler said. “In every organization, environment affects performance, and baseball clubhouses are no different.”
Nakken oversaw the Giants’ health and wellness initiatives in her previous position with the team.
“We just supported her and encouraged her and let her make her own decisions, but we knew she was something special”, Nakken’s mother, Gaye Nakken, said.
The Giants also considered Rachel Balkovec before she was hired as a Minor League hitting coach for the New York Yankees.
Former Giant Aubrey Huff criticized his old team responding on Twitter saying he, “couldn’t imagine taking baseball instruction from an ex female softball player.”
He continued by saying, “I got in trouble for wearing a thong in my own clubhouse when female reporters were present. Can’t imagine how it will play out with a full time female coach running around. This has #metoo & #BelieveAllWomen written all over it.”
The 29-year old Nakken will be expected to help with pregame outfield work while also being a batting practice pitcher. Since MLB rules limit seven coaches in uniform per game, Nakken will not be a dressed staffer for the game.
She will travel on the road and dress prior to games.
