LAKELAND, Fla. — Rachel Balkovec signed some autographs, received a standing ovation when she was introduced and posed for a photo at home plate. Then it was time to get to work. The manager of a New York Yankees minor league team had a game to manage. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack But on Friday night, … Read more
LAKELAND, Fla. — Cheered by many fans who turned out to witness the historic moment, Rachel Balkovec made her winning debut Friday as the first female manager of a major league team’s affiliate. Balkovec guided the Tampa Tarpons, a Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, to a 9-6 victory over Lakeland. “I had … Read more
LAKELAND, Fla. — Looking back on her journey to her first game with the Class A Tampa team, Rachel Balkovec reflected on the discrimination she experienced before becoming the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a team. Big leagues. Balkovec, 34, held a news conference at Steinbrenner Field on Friday before the … Read more
TAMPA, Florida USA — Rachel Balkovechired by the New York Yankees as the first female manager of an affiliated minor league team, is nearing her return after having received a ball in the face the week before, during batting practice. Balkovec was hit March 22, causing him to miss his first scheduled game of spring … Read more
TAMPA, Fla.. Rachel Balkovec, hired by the New York Yankees as the first woman to manage a minor league club affiliated with an MLB team, was hit in the face with a ball during batting practice and will be sidelined for up to a week. Balkovec took the hit Tuesday and was unavailable for his … Read more
TAMPA, Fla., USA — Rachel BalkovecHired by the New York Yankees as the first woman to manage a minor league club affiliated with an MLB team, she was hit in the face by a pitch during batting practice and will be sidelined for up to a week. Balkovec took the hit Tuesday and will be … Read more
TAMPA, Fla. — Rachel Balkovec is teaching at the New York Yankees’ minor league mini-training camps, where she is also a student. Balkovec became the first woman hired as minor league manager of a team affiliated with Major League Baseball last month, when she was promoted by the Yankees as dugout manager for the Class … Read more
The world of Major League Baseball is no longer exclusively for men and Rachel Balkovec has proven it. It was this week that a historic chapter was written in baseball, when it was confirmed that the native of Omaha (Nebraska) will lead the Tampa Tarpons, the Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, making … Read more
As the first female manager in professional baseball affiliated with MLB with the Tampa Tarpons, a Lower Class-A affiliate of the Yankees, Rachel Balkovec has extensive training in the sport of bat and ball. But in addition to her experience as a college softball catcher, her master’s and graduate degrees in exercise science and human … Read more
NEW YORK — Rachel Balkovec is aware of the negativity on her social media and tries to leave it there. Her sisters watch as well and can’t help but convey certain dismissive reactions to her barrier-breaking trip. “It’s funny to me,” Balkovec said. “Because it’s the American dream.” In the clubhouse? She hasn’t seen any … Read more
