San Francisco Giants’ Alyssa Nakken became the first woman to coach in an on-field capacity in Major League Baseball on Monday night.
The 30-year-old took over as the Giants first-base coach in the late innings of an exhibition match against the Oakland Athletics.
Nakken, replaced Antoan Richardson, was congratulated by star outfielder Hunter Pence after making history at the Oakland Coliseum.
The four-time All-Star said: “Congratulations on making history!’’
The Giants ran out 6-2 winners as MLB teams prepare in spring training for a condensed season due to Covid-19.
Nakken was hired by first-year Giants manager Gabe Kapler in January, becoming the first woman to lock up a full-time coaching position at major league level.
It followed six years with the organisation after initially joining in 2014 as an intern in the baseball operations department.
Nakken declared she felt a ”great sense of responsibility” in her role in February and was thrilled to serve as an example for girls and women to break barriers in the sport of baseball.
She said: “I feel it’s my job to honor those who have helped me to where I am.”
