Kim Ng — the highest-ranking woman in a major men's North American professional sports front office — has left her general manager role with the Miami Marlins after leading the team to a postseason berth.
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News of Ng's departure from the Marlins came on Monday, on the basis of Miami wanting to hire a president of baseball operations over her. Ng — who was hired by the Marlins in November 2020, making her the first-ever female GM of a major men's North American professional sports organization — was offered a contract extension by Miami but decided to turn it down.
When ESPN asked Ng why she elected to decline the contract extension, she said, "Last week Bruce [Sherman, Marlins owner] and I discussed his plan to reshape the Baseball Operations department. In our discussions, it became apparent that we were not completely aligned on what that should look like and I felt it best to step away."
Statement from #Marlins' Bruce Sherman says team exercised club option in Kim Ng's 2024 deal but Kim declined her side of the option.
"We thank Kim for her contributions during her time with our organizationa nd wish her and her family well." pic.twitter.com/bfuyC5Rm8N
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) October 16, 2023
Considering the incredible work that Ng did during her Miami tenure, the Marlins ownership's desire to hire someone over her to run baseball operations is confusing. Moves that Ng made (including adding third baseman Jake Burger and first baseman Josh Bell at the trade deadline) greatly improved the Marlins' offense and proved instrumental in getting the team into the 2023 MLB playoffs — their first playoff appearance in a full season since 2003.
In addition, Ng's hire of Marlins manager Skip Schumaker last October worked wonders for the organization — shown in the Marlins' record improving by 15 games from what it was one season ago.
Despite her unexpected exit, Ng appeared to part ways with Miami on good terms.
"I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Marlins family and its fans for my time in South Florida," Ng told ESPN. "I will miss working with [Schumaker] and his coaches as well as all of the dedicated staff in baseball operations and throughout the front office. They are a very talented group and I wish them great success in the future."
While Ng's future is uncertain, one would assume her success at Miami will make her highly sought after in similar front office positions across the MLB. In fact, Ng appears to be ideal candidate for the Boston Red Sox front office, after Boston fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom one month ago.
Regardless of where Ng ends up, her impact with Miami proved she's one of baseball's brightest minds. Her next destination — whether it be in Boston or another baseball front office — will be lucky to have her.
