The presence of females in professional sports is growing, whether it be the first National Football League female referee in Sarah Thomas, or the first female to be added to Major League Baseball's international registration list in Melissa Mayeux.
In the past, we've seen females serve as assistant general managers: the Boston Red Sox's Elaine Weddington-Steward, along with the New York Yankees' Jean Afterman and Kim Ng.
Never before, however, has a female served as general manager in any of the four major sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies could be the first to hire one.
Speaking with Comcast SportsNet Phillies field reporter Gregg Murphy during Tuesday evening's broadcast, incoming team president Andy MacPhail hinted that the team is speaking to qualified members of both genders to replace the recently fired Ruben Amaro Jr.
The following is a transcription from the interview, which was largely focused on extending the contract of manager Pete Mackanin this afternoon.
Murphy: What made you get to this point and make the announcement today [to keep Pete Mackanin as manager]?
MacPhail:
"I think there were two major factors.
The first is that we were more than satisfied with the leadership that Pete provides. We thought that the energy level moved up when he came on board.
I think what Pete has demonstrated is that he will let the players develop. But, when he sees something that he doesn't like, he can be strict and sort of keep them within the lines.
I think he's a good fit for what we're trying to do."
Murphy: What about the timing of the decision? You alluded to it a little bit at the press conference a couple of weeks ago that you'd like to have somebody in place, probably before even the general manager gets hired here in Philadelphia.
When did you know that Pete was your man and that he is the guy that can take them forward?
MacPhail:
"Well, I think my concern was that if we go on a general manager search, that's going to probably be a few-to-several week process.
If he or she should want to come in and make a managerial change, that's a three or four week process.
Then you're going to spend two weeks trying to create a coaching staff. You're going to end up losing half your offseason, just to sort of be at a place where everybody is starting from zero.
I didn't think we should lose that amount of time, particularly when we had somebody very capable and competent on board."
Murphy: You talked about Pete's relationship with the players. Talking with a couple of guys today, they seem excited to know that Pete's going to be the guy going forward. How much of that came into play in your decision, knowing that he had the backing of the clubhouse, for the most part?
MacPhail:
"Well, the backing of the clubhouse is important, but it's just as important, if not more important, that he has the complete backings from the front office. We need to give him the same energy, effort and enthusiasm we're asking of the players to support him.
It takes out all the uncertainty of the offseason.
Pete can hit the ground running in terms of his spring training prep. The real, good managers I've been around, they are obsessive about spring training. They feel like the foundation of what is created over the course of the next 162 games starts right there in spring training."
Murphy: How much will you rely on him and his experience this year, in the short time that he has been the manager, as you move forward in making personnel decisions?
MacPhail:
"You always want the input of your manager. Absolutely. He has to live with the results, so it's essential that your manager be part of the decision-making process.
The end of the day, the ultimate responsibility lies in the front office. But generally, you definitely want the manager's opinion.
After Scott [Proefrock] and I offered him the opportunity to continue, his first emotion was gratitude. Then, after about five minutes, the wheels were turning. He's already thinking beyond this and thinking about spring training."
Before hiring Mackanin as the manager for the 2016 season, Phillies first base coach Juan Samuel was reportedly considered by MacPhail as a candidate to assume the position.
As Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News notes, Samuel previously served under MacPhail as interim manager of the Baltimore Orioles for 51 games in 2010.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that MacPhail has interviewed 'one general manager candidate', but he declined to reveal their identify.
Zolecki continued in saying that MacPhail hopes to hire the next general manager by the organizational meetings.
MacPhail has stressed in the past the importance of keeping all opportunities and scenarios in mind when making a decision.
Whether Amaro Jr.'s successor will be male or female remains to be seen, but considering the latter supports MacPhail's philosophy in considering all options.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
