Who is Alyssa Nakken? Giants assistant is the first woman on-field coach in MLB history

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Alyssa Nakken has a track record of making history.

Nakken became the first woman to coach on the field in MLB history when she took her seat in the Giants’ first-base coaching box in the final innings of an exhibition game against the A’s on July 20, 2020.

She did it again on April 12, 2022, becoming the first woman in MLB history to coach on the field during a regular-season game when she took over at first base after Antoan Richardson was dismissed.

Some things are worth the wait: Nakken joined the Giants’ coaching staff in January 2020, but she won’t be on the field until Tuesday night’s game against the Padres.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ground-breaking Nakken:

Who is Alyssa Nakken?

Nakken became the first woman to be selected as a coach on an MLB coaching staff when she was hired by the Giants in January 2020. Nakken had the opportunity to coach first base for a few innings during the Giants’ final exhibition game against the Athletics on July 20, 2020, despite her formal designation of assistant coach.

Nakken is no stranger to the first base box: she has coached there during intrasquad games in the past few seasons and works closely with Richardson, who is in charge of outfield and baserunning teaching.

Nakken became the first woman to coach on-field during a regular-season game at the major league level after taking the field on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

“I think people can see that there is a lot of potential in baseball,” she said after the game. “Not just women, but young guys, men, young ladies, women, everyone can see that there are a lot of opportunities in baseball.” “It’s not just baseball. At least in my experience, I believe we sometimes limit ourselves to thinking about what we could accomplish. I never imagined I’d be capable of such a feat.”

Prior to joining the Giants’ coaching staff, Nakken spent six years in the San Francisco baseball operations department, where she assisted with the team’s health and wellness initiatives and served in a variety of front-office capacities. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a master’s degree in sports management in 2015.

In addition, Nakken is a well-known athlete in her own right. Nakken, a three-sport standout in high school, was chosen to the All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference team each of her four years at Sacramento State, including a first-team selection in 2009. She batted.304 with 19 home runs at first base during her stint with the Hornets.

In February 2020, Nakken stated, “I feel a big sense of responsibility” (via MLB.com). “I’ve never seen coaching.” This job has been kept under wraps for a long time. I’m ecstatic to be in this position because of the challenge and the chance to make a difference for this organization that I adore.

“But I’m also excited that now girls can see that baseball offers a career on the field. It’s fantastic.”

Nakken is part of a women’s baseball movement that includes Rachel Balkovec, a minor league manager for the Yankees, Rachel Folden, a hitting instructor for the Cubs, and Tina Whitlock, a former minor league coach for the Cardinals.