MLB pioneer Nakken leaving Giants job for Guardians originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Giants – and the entire Bay Area – witnessed history when Alyssa Nakken became the first woman to coach an MLB game. Now they can watch the baseball pioneer begin a new journey elsewhere.
Nakken is leaving San Francisco to join the Cleveland Guardians, the team confirmed with a statement issued Friday morning after reports of her departure began circulating. 95.7 The Game’s Steven Rissotto first reported the news.
Maria Guardado of MLB.com also reported, citing a source, that Nakken is expected to take on a player development role in Cleveland under manager and beloved former Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt. She will be working with some familiar faces, such as former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa.
Nakken first joined the Giants organization in 2014 and was promoted to assistant coach on former manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in January 2020, becoming the first female coach in professional baseball.
On April 12, 2022, she became the first woman to ever coach on the field during an MLB game after first base coach Antoan Richardson was ejected in the third inning of a game between San Diego Padres and Giants.
Following Kapler’s firing, Nakken reportedly interviewed for San Francisco’s managerial opening before the Giants hired Bob Melvin.
Nakken made history with the organization that gave her a chance, but after ten years in the Bay she is moving on.
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