Who is Alyssa Nakken? Giants assistant is first woman on-field coach in MLB history
Alyssa Nakken is no stranger to making history.
On July 20, 2020, Nakken took her place in the Giants’ first-base coaching box in the final innings of an exhibition game against the A’s, becoming the first woman to coach on the field in MLB history.
On April 12, 2022, she did it again, this time becoming the first woman in MLB history to coach on the field in a regular-season game as she replaced Antoan Richardson at first base after he was ejected.
The moment history was made. Congrats, Alyssa Nakken 👏 pic.twitter.com/pzW7NKHTwb
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 13, 2022
Some things are worth the wait: Nakken was named to the Giants’ coaching staff in January 2020, though she wouldn’t see the field officially until the Giants-Padres matchup on Tuesday night.
Here’s what you need to know about the ceiling-shattering Nakken:
Who is Alyssa Nakken?
Nakken, hired to the Giants’ coaching staff in January 2020, became the first woman to be named a coach on an MLB staff. While her official title is assistant coach, 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.
Holding down the first base box is not something Nakken is unfamiliar with: She has coached there during intrasquad games ahead of the last few seasons and works closely alongside Richardson, overseeing outfield and baserunning instruction.
After taking the field on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, Nakken became the first woman to coach on-field during a regular season game at the major league level.
Alyssa Nakken knows the meaning of this moment tonight for all to see that girls, women can do anything. pic.twitter.com/sW5W0pcVYx
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) April 13, 2022
“I think people are able to see, not just women, but young men, men, young girls, women, everybody can just see that there are a lot of opportunities in baseball,” she said post-game. “Not just in baseball. I think that sometimes we limit ourselves to thinking what we could do — at least that’s my experience. I never thought that I could do something like this.”
Before Nakken joined the Giants’ coaching staff, she worked in the San Francisco baseball operations department for six years, aiding with the team’s health and wellness programs, and served in a multitude of roles within the front office. She earned a master’s degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco in 2015.
Nakken is also a highly touted athlete in her own right. A three-sport star in high school, Nakken was named to the All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference team for all four years during her stint at Sacramento State, with a first-team nod in 2009. During her time as a Hornet, she batted .304 with 19 home runs at first base.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility,” Nakken said in February 2020 (via MLB.com). “Coaching, I never saw it. This job has kind of been hidden for so long. I’m so excited to be in this role for the challenge and the opportunity to make an impact for this organization that I love.
“But also, I’m excited that now girls can see there is a job on the field in baseball. It’s really cool.”
Nakken is leading a women’s revolution in baseball, which includes Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec, Cubs hitting instructor Rachel Folden and former Cardinals minor league coach Tina Whitlock.