On Monday, the Boston Red Sox officially welcomed 29-year-old new hire, Bianca Smith, as a Minor League coach, making her the first Black woman coach in professional baseball history. She will work primarily with position players at the team’s player development facilities in Fort Myers, Florida.
Smith, who is a Dartmouth College alumnus, was most recently employed as an assistant baseball coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University in Wisconsin.
In an interview on MLB Network, Smith called the historic event an amazing opportunity and admitted she hadn’t always seen the position as a tangible dream.
“I think it’s a great opportunity also to kind of inspire other women who are interested in this game,” Smith told MLB Network. “This is not really something I thought about it when I was younger. I kind of fell into it being an athlete. So I’m excited to get that chance to show what I can do.”
Smith’s groundbreaking role comes two months after Kim Ng broke barriers as baseball’s first female general manager. Ng is signed to the Miami Marlins and is recognized as the highest-ranking female baseball executive.
Bianca Smith will be joining the #RedSox organization this season, making her the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball history. pic.twitter.com/ZQsHd8iprD
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 5, 2021
“I am so incredibly grateful for all of the support I’ve been getting! Of course none of this would be possible without the help of my family, friends, and the trailblazers who came before me. I can’t wait to get started,” Smith tweeted on Monday. “Thank you so much and go Red Sox!!”
