In a historic move, the Miami Marlins on Friday named Kim Ng as their new general manager, replacing Michael Hill. The 52-year-old Chinese-American is the first woman and the first GM of Asian descent in major North American pro sports.

"On behalf of principal owner Bruce Sherman and our entire ownership group, we look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins," CEO Derek Jeter said in a statement.

"Her leadership of our baseball operations will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community."

Ng (got her start in baseball as an intern with the Chicago White Sox in 1990－a year before the Marlins were founded. She went on to work for the New York Yankees (1998-01), Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-11) and in the MLB commissioner's office (2011-20). During her stint with the Yankees, Ng was part of three World Series championship teams.

Born in Indianapolis to a Chinese-American father and a Thailand-born mother of Chinese descent in 1968, Ng graduated from the University of Chicago, where she was a star softball player, in 1990.

"I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and, after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next general manager," Ng said in a statement.

"We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative, creative baseball operation made up of incredibly talented and dedicated staff who have, over the last few years, laid out a great foundation for success.

"This challenge is one I don't take lightly. When I got into this business, it seemed unlikely a woman would lead a major-league team, but I am dogged in the pursuit of my goals.

"My goal is now to bring championship baseball to Miami. I am both humbled and eager to continue building the winning culture our fans expect and deserve."

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred hailed the move, stating: "All of us at Major League Baseball are thrilled for Kim and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins. This hiring makes history in all of professional sports and sets a significant example for the millions of women and girls who love baseball and softball.

"The hard work, leadership, and record of achievement throughout Kim's long career in the National Pastime led to this outcome, and we wish her all the best as she begins her career with the Marlins."

In October, Miami became the first National League team to reach the post-season after a 100-loss campaign the previous year. The Marlins lost 98 games in 2018 and 105 in 2019, but finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a 31-29 record, second in the NL East behind the Atlanta Braves.

Last week, Miami's Don Mattingly was named NL manager of the year after the Marlins eliminated the Chicago Cubs in the October wild-card series before losing in the NLDS.