Kevin Malone Transitions from Dodgers GM to Anti-Trafficking Advocate
Former Dodgers Executive Emerges in New Role
Kevin Malone, the former general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has largely faded from the baseball spotlight since his departure from the team. His tenure, which lasted from September 1998 until April 2001, is often remembered more for the controversies that surrounded him than for the success of the team on the field. For many Dodgers fans, that may be just as well.
During his time in Los Angeles, Malone’s management style frequently clashed with that of his chosen manager, Davey Johnson. In a surprising move, he dismissed Johnson after the 2000 season, during which the Dodgers achieved their highest win total under his leadership with 86 victories. Malone also found himself embroiled in a public altercation, threatening to confront a fan who was heckling star player Gary Sheffield. Just days later, he resigned, acknowledging that his presence had become a distraction to the team.
A New Chapter in Public Service
Fast forward to the present day, and Kevin Malone has resurfaced—not in the baseball world, but in a significant advisory role under the Trump administration. Recently, the Washington Nationals announced that Malone will throw the ceremonial first pitch at their game against the Atlanta Braves on September 16. This event marks his notable return to the public eye, albeit in a very different capacity.
In October 2019, during Trump’s first term, Malone was appointed to lead the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. This initiative aims to address the critical issue of human trafficking, a cause that has become a central focus of his professional life. Earlier this year, he transitioned to the role of Senior Advisor on Human Trafficking within the Health and Human Services Department, further committing himself to combatting this pervasive problem.
From Baseball to Advocacy
Malone’s journey from the baseball diamond to the realm of human rights advocacy began in earnest in 2016 when he co-founded the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and combating trafficking in the United States. His efforts extended to the NFL in 2022, where he was tasked with forming a coalition of organizations to tackle sex trafficking in connection with the Super Bowl.
Reflecting on his past experiences in Major League Baseball, Malone has drawn parallels between team-building in sports and coalition-building in his current role. He remarked, “There’s very few collaborative measures in place. I know that if we work together we can accomplish more.” He emphasized the need for collaboration, stating that he aims to unite various stakeholders to effectively address human trafficking.
“I want to end human trafficking. I want to stop it,” Malone declared, channeling his determination into this vital cause.
As he steps back into the public eye, Malone’s commitment to tackling human trafficking is a testament to his evolution from a figure tangled in baseball’s drama to one striving to make a meaningful impact in the fight against a global crisis.
