Veronica Alvarez is the coordinator of player development for Latin America for the Oakland A’s. She manages the A’s international prospect’s development on and off the field at the A’s academy in the Dominican Republic.
Aside from working for the A’s, Alvarez is also Major League Baseball’s ambassador for Girls Baseball and the manager of the USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team. As MLB’s Ambassador she works in conjunction with MLB’s youth development department in the growth of opportunities for girls in baseball. She has led USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team as its manager since 2019, most recently competing in the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup where the team won a silver—medaling for the first time since 2014 and breaking Japan’s thirty-nine-game win streak. Alvarez was also a player on the Women’s National Team from 2008 to 2015.
Alvarez was born and raised in Miami to Cuban immigrants and graduated from Villanova University, where she also played four years of Division I Softball. She currently resides in Denver with her wife, who’s an orthopedic surgeon for the University of Colorado and their Great Dane, Biggie Smalls.
For its annual list, LiS: Latinos in Sports spoke with Alvarez about creating an environment for her players to thrive, advocating for Latinas in sports, and the uniting power of sports for all genders.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the sports industry, and how has your cultural background shaped your journey?
I was an athlete my entire life. I played softball in college at Villanova University and after graduating switched back to baseball (my first love) to play on USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team from 2008 to 2015. I knew once I stopped playing, I would dive into coaching with the goal of becoming the manager of USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team. The women that I played with on that team and that I now get to coach inspire me every day. I was driven to become a coach by their passion, work ethic, and relentless attitudes. I wanted to be in a position where I could create an environment where they can thrive—surround them with people that would respect them and pour knowledge into them—because that’s what the women deserve. I not only achieved the goal of becoming the manager of the Women’s National Team in 2019, I also began coaching in professional baseball for the A’s that same year. Since the 2023 season, I have been in charge of developing the A’s Latin American players at our academy in the Dominican Republic.
Being Cuban American, it is a role that I do not take lightly. I see myself as an advocate for these young players in the same way and with the same intention as with the women on the national team. My job is to create an environment where they can thrive, and I will fight to do so because of my cultural connection to them and my want for them to be successful.
“My job is to create an environment where [my players] can thrive, and I will fight to do so because of my cultural connection to them and my want for them to be successful.”
Veronica Alvarez
Which Latino athletes, executives, or leaders have inspired you the most, and why?
My players have always been and will always be my biggest inspiration; I want to do right by them. My Latin players that I get to lead are my daily inspiration; they are pushing themselves and working through adversity daily in order to attain some significant goals. That leaves no space for me to let my guard down. I must be my best for them at all times.
How are you using your platform to advocate for more representation of Latinos in leadership positions within sports?
As a Latin female, I get to advocate for both Latinos and females—and I LOVE IT. If you have not gathered by now, I have three different titles: USA Baseball Women’s National Team manager, MLB Girls Baseball ambassador, A’s coordinator of player development for Latin America. In each of those roles advocating for women/girls and Latinos is a top priority. I get to put them in positions to grow their confidence/knowledge/experience and build them up as leaders.
What role do you believe sports play in uniting and empowering Latino communities, both in the US and globally?
I truly don’t know if there is anything like sports that can both unite and empower. Sports allowed me to build confidence, provided me with a community of like-minded people, and taught me how to overcome failure and how to handle success. It taught me how to be excited for other people’s success, give back to future generations, and become a leader that people are excited to follow.
As Latinos, we are really good at letting our little sons play sports, but we are not good at supporting our daughters in those same ways. Sports gives and builds so much if you let it—and our daughters deserve it too! My Cuban-born parents let their little daughter play BASEBALL with the BOYS and look at me now.
“Sports gives and builds so much if you let it—and our daughters deserve it too! My Cuban-born parents let their little daughter play BASEBALL with the BOYS and look at me now.”
Veronica Alvarez
What advice do you have for the next generation of Latino leaders looking to break into and excel in the sports industry?
Do not let the possibility of discrimination hold you back from achieving your dreams. Be so hungry that there is no space for someone denying your presence. Work hard, apply yourself, take in all the information that you can from the people around you, and move forward with confidence.
What is your walk-up song?
“Oiga, Mire, Vea” by Guayacan Orquesta.