Again, January 10, 2022, is another groundbreaking history-making day in MiLB (Minor League Baseball. People don’t realize that it has also happened many times before, but most recently in 2020- both times by the New York Yankees.

It is not about giving admonishment and praise to another record-setting home run hitter or for the fastest fastball. Instead, it gives accolades to Rachel Balkovec, the first female minor league manager for the Tampa Bay Tarpons- a low-class A team. It is not a high-status level position, but it is a start as a manager. Rankings in MiLB start with AAA being the best, followed by AA, then High A, and then Low A.

Her debut will kick off the 2022 season.

The New York Yankees manage the Tampa Tarpons. Their previous name was the Tampa Yankees and recently changed in 2018.

A Talented Batting Coach

In November 2019, Balkovec was hired as one of the New York Yankees batting coaches. She was scheduled to start during spring training in 2020. When COVID-19 hit, it canceled the 2020 season. This was one of the first times she made history in the MiLB by being the first woman to hold this position.

Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. She also has attained two master’s degrees- one in Sports Administration and the other in Biomechanics. With all her previous softball experience, as a player, with her degree in exercise science, a masters in biomechanics, and her fellowship at Driveline Baseball, where she researched eye-tracking patterns for batters, she makes her a great batting coach.

A Career of History in the Makings

Balkovec began her career in 2012 for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league team where she was as a temporary strength and conditioning trainer. That same year, she won the Appalachian League’s award as strength coach of the year. In 2014, Rachel became the strength and conditioning coordinator for the team. The first time a woman had held this position in baseball.

In 2016, Balkovec was hired by the Houston Astros as the strength and conditioning coordinator for their Latin American team. Rachel was also the first female to be hired in this position.

In 2018, she was promoted to the strength and conditioning coach for the MiLB AA Corpus Christi Hooks baseball team.

And now, with all the bottled expertise in dealing with players and sports administration, it is time to pop the cap and use it all as a manager.

Battle to Success

Balkovec’s news is excellent! However, these things did not come easy. Over the years, she suffered gender discrimination. Many clubs would not hire her as a strength and conditioning coach. However, in May of 2020, Balkovec was interviewed by ESPN. She told a story about when she changed her mane on her resume from Rachel to Rae, to make her name more neutral. And by doing this, she was successful, getting positive results and affirmations for interviews and employment.

But that’s what trailblazers like Rachel do, keep on blazing no matter what the odds are against them.

“The question is not who is going to let me, it is who is going to stop me.”- Ayn Rand

Rachel has set records and made history in the MiLB way before being a manager. So, she is no rookie and has paid her dues to climb up into the ranks.