By: Jana Dunow
The Low A Tampa Tarpons will have new leadership at the helm for the 2022 season. I guess it’s a big deal. Rachel Balkovec, a graduate of my home state’s flagship school, the University of New Mexico, will be in the dugout as the new manager. When I heard the news, I thought that’s cool. Then I went on with my day. I am not a feminist. It wasn’t a banner day for me. Women are already making strides in the sports world. Maybe not to the extent that some want. Kim Ng, is the general manager for the Miami Marlins. Again, really cool, but Kim Ng earned that position just as Rachel Balkovec earned her new job as manager. I think we often think they were only hired because of x,y,z, but Rachel Balkovec has been in MLB working her way to where she is now because of hard work. Before being promoted, she was the hitting coach in the Yankees organization spending her time in the Florida Complex League. She also worked for the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros as a strength and conditioning coach. She has earned this!
I am happy to see more women in the broadcast booth and on the field in all sports. I grew up watching sports with my dad and brothers. A game was always on so it’s not uncommon for me to scroll through the channels and stop on a game and watch an inning or quarter. Growing up, I spent time in the dugout as the scorekeeper for my dad’s little league teams then in high school, I was the team manager. It’s not groundbreaking, but there I was finding my passion. Now, I co-host a podcast with my brother about baseball. When I was younger, I always thought I would become a sports journalist, but life took me another direction and I can’t complain.
Balkovec will have all eyes on her this season. The CBA doesn’t affect the minor leagues so a full season of Rachel watch will be happening. She will be scrutinized for every decision including her fashion sense. It isn’t fair, but she’s prepared. She loves the game of baseball and what can be better for the Tampa Tarpons then having a manager that loves the game? She wouldn’t have struggled and used an alias on resumes if she didn’t love the game. Women are different from men. I don’t think that’s a secret and it’s not something that should be hidden. It should be celebrated. We also should be far enough away from pigeonholing what men like and what women like. Case in point, I have been married for 27 years to a great guy. He does not like sports. He goes to baseball games with me, but it’s not his favorite thing to do. He is a sportsman. He would rather be out camping, hunting or fishing. Sports is not his thing. The only reason he watched some of the 2015 Super Bowl was because Katy Perry was performing during halftime. He’s a dude, but if Rachel Balkovec and my husband were up for the same job of managing the Tampa Tarpons, Balkovec would be hired. It’s that simple.
So, I say congratulations to Rachel Balkovec. I hope she has a great season. She deserved this promotion. Her aspirations are to one day be a general manager and I think that’s great. More women in the front office can help balance out some of those dumb decisions that are made. Yeah, I am looking at you Andrew Friedman.
Jana Dunow is co-host of Sibling Rivalry Baseball Podcast along with her big brother. When she is not picking up her boys from school, she is working on her master’s degree in school counseling. Sibling Rivalry Baseball Podcast is available on your favorite listening platform.
Check out season 3 on March 31, 2022.