BLACK EXCELLENCE: RED SOX HIRE BIANCA SMITH, FIRST BLACK WOMAN COACH EVER IN PRO BASEBALL

The Red Sox have hired Bianca Smith as a Minor League coach, making her the first Black woman to serve as a coach in the history of professional baseball.

I am so incredibly grateful for all of the support I’ve been getting! Of course none of this would be possible without the help of my family, friends, and the trailblazers who came before me. I can’t wait to get started. Thank you so much and go Red Sox!! https://t.co/17W4Ah92tl

— Bianca Smith ⚾️ (@biancaesmith12) January 5, 2021

According to Ian Browne of MLB.com:

The 29-year-old Smith is currently the assistant coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University in Wisconsin, a role she has held since 2018. Before that, Smith worked at Case Western Reserve University as director of baseball operations from 2013-17 and had a stint as an assistant coach at the University of Dallas in ’18.

She will start her Red Sox career based at the club’s player development facility in Fort Myers, Fla., and will work mainly with position players.

I’m a little salty that Boston was the team to make this history. I am no fan of the Sox. Nonetheless, this type of history is awesome. Way to go Ms. Smith and congrats to Boston. #WESEEIT