Dear Angels: Hire Kim Ng
Posted on October 27, 2011 Posted by John Scalzi 11 Comments
The Los Angeles Times has a terrific opinion piece by Helene Elliott on why the Angels baseball club (I believe at this point, the team’s full name is The California Angels of Los Angeles in Anaheim Where Disneyland Is, or some such) should hire Kim Ng as their new general manager. Ng has been an assistant general manager for the Yankees and Dodgers, where teams she has helped put together have gone to the playoffs and won World Series, she’s now working in the commissioner’s office, she’s highly regarded in the sport, and she’s smarter than hell. I can speak to that last one personally because I knew her in college; she and I were dorm mates. Her intelligence and passion for sports was evident even then. Having watched her career in baseball since those days, I have no doubt she’s ready for the big chair.
As someone raised in LA, I’ve been a long-time nominal Dodger partisan, and even that ridiculous man Frank McCourt can’t keep me from that mild fan association. Tell you what, though; my American League affiliation is entirely unset. If the Angels want to pick up a new fan — in Ohio, even! — all they have to do is give Ng the job everyone already knows she’s totally qualified for, and would be fantastic for the ballclub in. I’m waiting here with my credit card, at the Angels shop online. Just let me know, guys.
Update, 10/28: They hired some dude. (Puts away credit card.)
The idea of a U of C alum (I had to scroll up to check to see if maybe this was a guest post. Did you go to college anywhere besides Chicago? Maybe you were a transfer and I just didn’t know?) managing the Angels makes me smile reallllly big.
At first I thought you were referring to the author Frank McCourt. Which had me scratching my head in confusion. (Clearly I know nothing about baseball.) Ah, the beauty of the internet and search engines. Expanding my tiny world.
More Maroons in sports :b: If Kim can do it, maybe I can realize my dream someday of being a non-stupid sports broadcaster.
Of course, I’d probably have to start working in the broadcast business first, or at least Journalism…
The LA Times article references a negotiation between her and Scott Boras. I believe it was a salary arbitration where Scott was asking for 8 million on behalf of Eric Gagne. Gagne had just completed one of, if not the single best season for any relief pitcher. He was 100% in save opportunities and had an ERA of 1.2sh if I recall correctly. Many thought he would get every bit of the 8 million he was asking. I think he ended up with a little over half of what he was asking. Kim indeed is a bright woman who knows her baseball. She saved the Dodgers quite a bit of dough. Eric Gagne only played a few more years and was plagued with injuries.
I am a sports photographer and a father of two young smart athletic girls. I’d love to see the Angels hire Kim as their GM. The sports industry needs more women in management. I am not a big baseball fan in general but I will gladly root for the Angels if they see fit to make Kim Ng the first female General Manager in the Major League.
I don’t have a favorite American League team but I’d root for the Angels as well if they hire her,
I admire the fact that you’re always willing to not only root for friends, John, but you talk ’em up. It’s an excellent quality. And while most of my time is spent lamenting the Phillies, I’d definitely be willing to give the Angels some of my attention.
She’s done well every she’s been, far as I can tell. I won’t root for any team from Los Angeles under any circumstance, but there’s no doubt she’d be a great GM. That she’s a fellow Maroon makes it even more awesome.
And it’s about time to reincarnate the awesome athletic prowess of the University of Chicago.
Been stumping for her for every GM position for the last few years. Big fan and a big proselytizer outside of baseball circles.
John,
I grew up near the Bay Area and have been an A’s fan for years. That being said, for obvious reasosn, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Angels. I certainly hope they give her the shot, it sounds as though she is more than qualified. Baseball differs considerably fromt eh other major sports in that the Manager actually has less of an impact than the GM. It really is about getting the talent that you need at a price you can afford. Hopefully they give her a shot.
All the best,
Paul
It sounds like she is eminently qualified. Maybe we could hire her here in Denver. I really hate our GM. They trade the good players and leave us with nothing. Then they complain about having losing seasons.
All that being said, I have a team (National League), but would be happy to root for the Angels, as well, if they choose Ng. They need a change, she’s qualified. If they pull old-school boy’s club, however, they do not deserve my root.
Aaw, John, you blew your chance…you should have become a Yankee fan when she was with them.