The Cleveland Guardians’ Assistant Director for Player Development Alyssa Nakken is a trailblazer.
Back in 2020, Nakken made MLB history with the San Francisco Giants when she was named to San Francisco’s major league coaching staff, becoming the first full-time female coach in MLB History.
Nakken then made more history by coaching on the bases in exhibition games in 2020 and 2021. But perhaps the biggest moment in her career came in 2022.
On April 12, 2022, the Giants were taking on the San Diego Padres. After regular Giants first base coach Antoan Richardson was ejected from the game in the top of the third inning, the Giants subbed Nakken into the game to coach first base.
That made her the first female on-field coach in an official game. Seeing Nakken on the field was huge for young women and girl fans, who could now dream even bigger about their place in the game of baseball.
It was such a big moment that Topps made a baseball card for it.
Fans were so excited to collect a card that cherished this huge moment for women and girls, but no one was more excited than Nakken’s friends and family.
And now, they’re not just trying to get one variation of the card. They’re trying to get them all. In a post on X, Nakken’s husband Robert said he’s on the hunt for all variations (parallels and autographs) of Nakken’s card, as a Christmas gift for the in-laws.
For the base cards, there are different foil parallels numbered /49, /25, /10, /5 and 1/1.
As for they autographed copies, there are /99, /49, /25, /10, and /5 copies listed on eBay as of July 2, 2025. Robert said he isn’t sure if there is a 1/1 autograph. But, he certainly wants his hands on that one-of-a-kind collectible if there is.
Nakken should also keep his eye out for the 92/99 autograph, a special “jersey match” numbered card.
He posted the blue foil /49 base card parallel and parallel autograph, definitely a good start to his hunt.
Fans immediately started reposting the post to help the Nakkens out, and even Topps highlighted their quest on their official page.
Hopefully the Nakkens can complete their quest!
Other Women In Baseball You Can Collect
Luckily for collectors who love to see women in baseball, Nakken’s card is not the only card they can get their hands on.
Several MLB affiliated female coaches have received cards, including Rachel Folden, Veronica Alvarez, Ronnie Gajownik, Bianca Smith, and Rachel Balkovec to name a few.
Fans should also keep their eyes out for Olivia Pichardo cards. She is the first female Division 1 Baseball Player for Brown University.
Topps also is the official trading card partner of AU Pro Softball, which is an MLB-sponsored professional softball league. Another female MLB trailblazer, Kim Ng, is the commissioner (you can collect her card too).
Nakken’s Family
Nakken’s husband Robert, the one on the baseball card hunt, is also a baseball coach.
Robert loves to make sure everyone knows that he is the second best coach in his own household.
They have one daughter together named Austyn Nakken, who was born in January 2024.
They’re a happy young family with a bright future in baseball and otherwise!
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