Dodgers first to hire female trainer By SPORTS NETWORK

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers have hired the first female head athletic trainer in major professional sports.

Sue Falsone was also the first female physical therapist in Major League Baseball when she was hired by the Dodgers in 2007. She held the position through the 2010 season.

"This is a very special day not just for Sue, but for the Dodgers and Major League Baseball," general manager Ned Colletti said. "The Dodgers have always been an organization of firsts and this promotion for Sue continues in that tradition."

Falsone, 37, said in a statement that it was "a true honour" to work with a progressive and historic organization.

"My work with the Dodgers over the past few years as well as my time with [Athletes' Performance] will serve me well in taking this next step," she said. "I look forward to helping develop innovative and creative programs to reduce injuries and keep our players on the field so that they can achieve their potential."

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the major leagues when he debuted for the Dodgers in 1947. The Dodgers were also the first team to have a Korean-born player and a Taiwanese player on their big league roster.

Their signing of Hideo Nomo in 1995 paved the way for Japanese players to compete in the majors.