The president of the Giants Baseball Operations’ Farhan Zaidi confirmed that Nakken had a first-round interview for the managerial position last week. This groundbreaking development comes as the team searches for a replacement for recently fired manager Gabe Kapler. Nakken, 33, is expecting her first child, a daughter, in February with her husband, Robert Abel.
Nakken’s journey into professional baseball began with his impressive career as a softball star, primarily playing first base for Sacramento State. She began her professional baseball journey with the San Francisco Giants in 2014 as a baseball operations intern. Six years later, she took another step forward when Kapler named her assistant coach. At that time, Kapler mentioned that Nakken would not only assist the coaching staff on the field, but also work to foster a club culture that promotes high performance through collaboration and teamwork.
Nakken’s game-changing moments continued to multiply when, on April 13, 2022, she made history by taking the court during a regular season game. After the Giants’ first base coach, Anthony Richardson, was ejected in the third inning of a game against the San Diego Padres, Nakken replaced him. His preparation for this role was demonstrated by his previous experience coaching first base during some spring training games. The helmet she wore that day was sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, where it became a permanent part of its display.
During these historic moments, Nakken remained focused on her work, saying, “Obviously, there’s a historical nature to it, but again, it’s my job. »
Kapler’s tenure as Giants manager ended on September 29, two years after he was named National League Manager of the Year. The team missed the playoffs for the second straight season, leading to his firing. Nakken is one of several candidates, both internal and external to the organization, being considered for the leadership position.
However, it is worth noting that Nakken’s journey has not been without its challenges. Former San Francisco Giants player Aubrey Huff expressed his objection on social media to Nakken receiving an interview for the management position, sparking a debate on the topic. Huff’s comments generated a mixed response from the public, reflecting the ongoing debate over diversity and inclusion in professional sports.
