Kim Ng hopes to inspire more women in sports: 'Now you can see it'

Kim Ng is abundantly aware her impact will be felt beyond shaping the Miami Marlins' roster after becoming the first woman to take on the GM role with a Major League Baseball team.

"There's an adage, 'You can't be it if you can't see it,'" Ng said at her introductory press conference Monday when asked how she hopes women in sports view her, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. "Now you can see it. I look forward to hearing all their stories and just how inspired they are to pursue a job in sports, a job in baseball, and to reach for the stars."

Ng, whose MLB career spans more than three decades, including tenures with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the league office, admitted later on MLB Network that even she didn't know becoming a GM was possible.

"When I started in baseball, it was never about becoming a general manager. I didn't know that it was possible. I didn't think about it," Ng said, following her presser at Marlins Park. "I did realize that I wanted to stay in baseball - I was just having such a blast. ... The thought of being a general manager really didn't enter my mind until I became an assistant GM."

Ng also shared that Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova were her inspirations as a child due to their roles in breaking barriers and helping establish gender equality in sports, according to Jessica Blaylock of Fox Sports Florida.

Marlins chairman and majority owner Bruce Sherman introduced Ng at the press conference, stating, "I can't think of anyone more qualified for the position than Kim," according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Ng takes control of baseball operations - alongside CEO Derek Jeter - of a rising Marlins team, coming off their first playoff appearance since 2003 and first winning season since 2009.