Jerry Narron
Encyclopedia
Jerry Austin Narron is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
and manager
. He currently serves as the bench coach of the Milwaukee Brewers
. During an 8-year playing career, he played from 1979–1987 for three different teams. During a 7-year managing career, he managed from 2001–2007 for the Texas Rangers
and the Cincinnati Reds
. He went to college at East Carolina University
.
.
in the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
and played alongside brother Johnny
in Johnson City
, Tennessee, during his first professional season. Narron played for the Yankees (as one of two catchers recalled from the minors to replace Thurman Munson
, after the latter's death in an airplane crash during the 1979 season), Seattle Mariners
, and California Angels
before retiring as a player in 1989. He was the Yankees' starting catcher the day after Munson's death, and remained in the dugout during the pregame ceremonies, leaving the catcher's position empty, out of respect for Munson.
farm system from 1989 through 1992, when he was hired as a coach for the Orioles by skipper Johnny Oates
. After two seasons in Baltimore, he moved with Oates to the Texas Rangers
. Narron was third-base coach for the Rangers from 1995 until he was named interim manager May 4, 2001 after the firing of manager Johnny Oates
. He had the interim tag removed and coached the team during the 2002 campaign. He was replaced in Texas by Buck Showalter
in December 2002. Narron then served as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox
during their 2003 run to the ALCS
and performed the same role for Cincinnati in 2004–05.
In 1995, when the Rangers opened their season after the strike which canceled the World Series the previous year, it was at Yankee Stadium. The first game back from the strike held special significance for Narron since it reminded him of the day after Thurman Munson
died and he was the Yankees' starting catcher for the first game after that tragedy, which was also played at the old Yankee Stadium. On this particular day after the baseball strike ended, Narron was the Rangers' 3rd-base coach.
Narron was named as the Reds' interim manager on June 20, 2005. On September 29 of that year, his contract was extended to cover the 2006 season with mutual option for 2007. Narron was fired as manager of the Reds on July 1, 2007. The Reds named advance scout Pete Mackanin
as the interim manager. Narron's record with the Reds was 157–179.
On February 25, 2008, Narron was named a special assignments scout and front-office consultant with his former team, the Rangers.
is the new hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, replacing Dale Sveum. He is the nephew of former Major League catcher Sam W. Narron
and cousin of pitcher Sam F. Narron
.http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Narron_Jerry.stm
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He currently serves as the bench coach of the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. During an 8-year playing career, he played from 1979–1987 for three different teams. During a 7-year managing career, he managed from 2001–2007 for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He went to college at East Carolina University
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
.
Early years
Narron grew up in Goldsboro, where he was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a youth, and is a 1974 graduate of Goldsboro High SchoolGoldsboro High School
Goldsboro High School is a public high school located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Goldsboro High School was classified as a 2-A school with an enrollment of 858 students , but now is classified as a 1-A school....
.
Playing career
Narron was drafted out of high school in the sixth round by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
1974 Major League Baseball draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
and played alongside brother Johnny
Johnny Narron
John A. Narron, Jr. is the current Hitting Coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, and the former Assistant Hitting Coach of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. He is a confidant and friend of center fielder Josh Hamilton and acts as an "accountability partner" to help Josh in his recovery from...
in Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
, Tennessee, during his first professional season. Narron played for the Yankees (as one of two catchers recalled from the minors to replace Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
, after the latter's death in an airplane crash during the 1979 season), Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, and California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
before retiring as a player in 1989. He was the Yankees' starting catcher the day after Munson's death, and remained in the dugout during the pregame ceremonies, leaving the catcher's position empty, out of respect for Munson.
Coaching history
Narron was a manager in the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
farm system from 1989 through 1992, when he was hired as a coach for the Orioles by skipper Johnny Oates
Johnny Oates
Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981...
. After two seasons in Baltimore, he moved with Oates to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. Narron was third-base coach for the Rangers from 1995 until he was named interim manager May 4, 2001 after the firing of manager Johnny Oates
Johnny Oates
Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981...
. He had the interim tag removed and coached the team during the 2002 campaign. He was replaced in Texas by Buck Showalter
Buck Showalter
William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III is an American Major League Baseball manager for the Baltimore Orioles. He has previously served in a similar capacity with the New York Yankees , Arizona Diamondbacks , and Texas Rangers...
in December 2002. Narron then served as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
during their 2003 run to the ALCS
2003 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkBacked by three home runs, Tim Wakefield shut the Bombers down in Game 1.-Game 2:Thursday, October 9, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York...
and performed the same role for Cincinnati in 2004–05.
In 1995, when the Rangers opened their season after the strike which canceled the World Series the previous year, it was at Yankee Stadium. The first game back from the strike held special significance for Narron since it reminded him of the day after Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
died and he was the Yankees' starting catcher for the first game after that tragedy, which was also played at the old Yankee Stadium. On this particular day after the baseball strike ended, Narron was the Rangers' 3rd-base coach.
Narron was named as the Reds' interim manager on June 20, 2005. On September 29 of that year, his contract was extended to cover the 2006 season with mutual option for 2007. Narron was fired as manager of the Reds on July 1, 2007. The Reds named advance scout Pete Mackanin
Pete Mackanin
Peter Mackanin, Jr. is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who most recently served as the acting manager of the Cincinnati Reds, having replaced Jerry Narron in 2007 before being replaced at season's end by Dusty Baker...
as the interim manager. Narron's record with the Reds was 157–179.
On February 25, 2008, Narron was named a special assignments scout and front-office consultant with his former team, the Rangers.
Personal life
Narron is the father of five children, Callie, Caitlyn, Clare, Cara, and Connor. Connor is the fourth ranked prospect for the high school class of 2010 by ESPN's Perfect Game. Narron's brother, JohnnyJohnny Narron
John A. Narron, Jr. is the current Hitting Coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, and the former Assistant Hitting Coach of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. He is a confidant and friend of center fielder Josh Hamilton and acts as an "accountability partner" to help Josh in his recovery from...
is the new hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, replacing Dale Sveum. He is the nephew of former Major League catcher Sam W. Narron
Sam Narron (catcher)
Samuel Woody Narron was an American Major League Baseball player and coach. Born in Middlesex, North Carolina, Narron batted and threw right-handed; he stood 5'10" tall and weighed 180 pounds ....
and cousin of pitcher Sam F. Narron
Sam Narron (pitcher)
Samuel Franklin Narron is a professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in one game for the Texas Rangers in the season. He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the amateur draft. On April 28, 2008, Narron hit a home run for the Huntsville Stars, the first home run on the season...
.http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Narron_Jerry.stm