Red Sox hire Bianca Smith, making her pro baseball’s first Black woman coach
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Boston Red Sox made a historic hire on Monday, when the team announced they’ll be adding Bianca Smith as a minor league coach for 2021. Smith will become the first Black woman to hold a coaching position in pro baseball history.
Smith joins the Red Sox from Carroll University, where she’s been the hitting coordinator for the past two seasons. In Smith’s only full season with the team (the 2020 campaign was cut short due to COVID) the Pioneers hit .304, and were one of the best offensive teams in their conference.
Before Carroll, Smith spent a season as an assistant coach at the University of Dallas, after a five-year stretch as the director of baseball operations as Case Western Reserve. The 29-year-old has also been an intern for the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. She played college softball a Dartmouth, joining the team as a walk-on in 2011.
"I think it's a great opportunity to inspire other women who are interested in this game." - Bianca Smith
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 4, 2021
New @RedSox minor league coach Bianca Smith joined Matty V and Harold on #MLBNHotStove to discuss her historic hiring. pic.twitter.com/GXV9uHVFCL
Smith’s new job doesn’t technically begin until February, when the Red Sox head to Fort Myers for spring training. Once she joins the club, she’ll stay in Fort Myers throughout the season, working with minor league position players.
“She was a great candidate coming in,” Red Sox vice president of player development Ben Crockett told reporters following the hire. “She’s had some really interesting experiences and has been passionate about growing her skillset and development herself.”
While Smith’s hire is certainly groundbreaking, she’s not alone in forging a new path in pro baseball. Earlier this offseason, the Miami Marlins made Kim Ng the first woman general manager in MLB history, and the Giants hired Alyssa Nakken as an assistant coach, making her the first woman on an MLB staff.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Red Sox.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.
