Red Sox hire former Sewickley resident as first Black woman coach in pro baseball history

PITTSBURGH — Former Sewickley native Bianca Smith has made baseball history.

Smith, 29, was recently hired as a coach for the Boston Red Sox player development complex at Fort Meyers, Florida.  This makes her the first minority female coach in professional baseball.

Smith lived with her stepfather in Sewickley during her college years, from around 2009 to 2013.

During her time in Pittsburgh, she learned a lot that helped guide her on this path. Smith told Channel 11′s Jenna Harner, “I interned with the Pittsburgh Power arena football team and that confirmed I want to work in baseball as much as I love other sports as well.”

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Smith is grateful for the support she has received in landing this groundbreaking opportunity. “The support I got because a lot of my stepdad’s family is from the area has been great and seeing the outpouring it’s been pretty cool,” Smith said.

Smith counts Jackie Robinson among her heroes. She hopes to eventually be a major league manager one day.  She is relishing the opportunity to inspire young girls. 

“I’m hoping to be the person they can see that looks like them, and give them the idea, that hey I can do this,” Smith said.  “Sometimes it’s not the idea that I can’t do it, it’s just you never thought about it because you don’t see anybody that looks like you.”

David Ortiz throws out first pitch at Red Sox game David Ortiz throws out first pitch at Red Sox game

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