Baseball America will award Yankees assistant general manager Jean Afterman the Trailblazer of the Year Award, a first for the organization.
"If I am a trailblazer, I hope I have blazed a trail others will follow," said Afterman of receiving the award. "I hope a lot more women will work in baseball operations." She also praised the Yankees organization for hiring her, as well as her predecessor, Kim Ng, who served in the role from 1998 through 2000.
"I don't think the Yankees get as much credit as they should get," said Afterman. "Brian Cashman and (former owner) George Steinbrenner, they hired not one but two females as assistant GMs."
Hal Steinbrenner praised Afterman's intelligence and legal acumen, describing her as "essential" to the organization.
"A vocal and trusted leader within our organization, Jean's formidable reputation within our sport is well earned," said Steinbrenner. "Her engaging personality, bulldog tenacity and top-notch legal expertise combine to make her a unique talent who we have been proud to have on our side all these years."
Afterman has served the Yankees as assistant GM since 2001. No woman has ever worked as general manager or president of baseball operations.
