This episode of the Good Tidings Podcast, finds host Larry Harper, sitting in the dugout of Oracle Park just prior to a Giants game interviewing the first female coach in MLB history – Alyssa Nakken. The conversation starts out with Alyssa sharing her love of softball and baseball while growing up in the Northern California town of Woodland. Upon graduation from Sacramento State, Alyssa lands a job in the front office of the San Francisco Giants.
After a couple of years in various roles, the Giants hire a new President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi who in turn hires Gabe Kapler as manager. The two of them made it clear, that from day one they wanted to have the most diverse coaching staff in the Big Leagues. Alyssa’s work ethic was quickly noticed by Kapler, who in turn made the historic hire. As the conversation continues, she shares all the roles she has taken on along with where this opportunity could someday take her.
Coach Nakken discusses her passion for helping women thrive in a male dominated sport and how the Giants have provided that access. Earlier this year, she succeeded Buster Posey as the Commissioner for the Junior Giants – the flagship program for the Giants Community Fund. Alyssa is a firm believer, that so many life skills can be learned on a baseball field where 30,000 kids can play for free thanks to this program.
