The last Major League Baseball team to integrate its roster is becoming the first team to break down a different racial barrier: by hiring the first Black female coach in professional baseball.
On Monday, the Boston Red Sox made it official by announcing they'd hired Bianca Smith, who will start her career at the club's player development facility in Fort Myers, Florida, MLB reported.
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
On Tuesday, Smith said in a tweet that she can't wait to get started.
"I am so incredibly grateful for all of the support I've been getting!' Smith said. "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. Thank you so much, and go Red Sox!!"
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. Thank you so much and go Red Sox!! https://t.co/17W4Ah92tl
— Bianca Smith ⚾️ (@biancaesmith12) January 5, 2021
Smith, 29, has worked as the assistant coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University in Wisconsin since 2018. She previously worked at Case Western Reserve University from 2013-17 as director of baseball operations, and was an assistant coach at the University of Dallas in 2018, MLB reported.
She also interned with the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds in their baseball operations departments, ESPN reported.
Last week, The Boston Globe first reported that the Red Sox had hired Smith.
Smith's hiring comes months after the Miami Marlins named Kim Ng their general manager, making her the league's first female GM.
