D-Backs affiliate makes Ronnie Gajownik 1st female manager at High-A
PHOENIX (AP) — Ronnie Gajownik has been hired as manager of the Hillsboro Hops, becoming the first woman to manage a minor league Class High-A team, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced Friday.
The 29-year-old Gajownik served as video coordinator for the Hops in 2021. She was on the coaching staff of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Diamondback's Double-A affiliate, last season as first-base coach.
Rachel Balkovec became the first woman to manage a professional baseball team last year when she led the New York Yankees’ Class A Tampa Tarpons.
Gajownik was a two-year starter on South Florida's softball team and also won a gold medal with the United States in the 2015 Pan American Games.
The Diamondbacks also hired coaches Ronald Ramirez, Gabriel Hernandez and Ty Wright, as well as trainer Haruki Mukohchi and strength coach Ryan Harrel for Hillsboro's staff.
____
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
HEADLINES
- Yankees' Schmidt expected to require Tommy John surgery
- Watch: Yankees' Volpe accidentally hits Judge in face with baseball
- Bobby Jenks, former All-Star White Sox closer, dies at 44
- Welcome to 3,000: Scherzer reflects after Kershaw joins K club
- Red Sox rout Nats to secure 10,000th win in franchise history