Rachel Balkovec wins debut as manager of Yankees affiliate

• "I've never heard my name chanted like that," Balkovec said, per MLB.
• "It was so much fun. Again, I just see, it's like I see me sitting in the stands, whatever 15, 20 years ago, and so it's just really cool."
• The Tarpons broke a 4-all tie in the seventh inning on a grand slam by Anthony Garcia, per MLB.

The big picture: Balkovec was named manager of the Tarpons in January.

• The Yankees hired Balkovec in November 2019 as a minor league hitting coach, when she became the first woman named to such a role in the history of professional baseball.
• Balkovec also was the first woman to become a full-time minor league strength and conditioning coach.

What she's saying: "It's been 10 years of just working to this point," Balkovec told reporters before the game.

• "Things have evolved. I was blatantly discriminated against back then. Some people say not to say that, but it's just part of what has happened, and I think it's important to say because it lets you know how much change has happened."

Go deeper: Yankees name Rachel Balkovec as 1st woman to manage minor league team