RickD
11-29-2011, 09:17 AM
The two-time AL champion Texas Rangers are losing a key behind-the-scenes contributor to their success.
Johnny Narron replaces Dale Sveum, who took over as manager of the Chicago Cubs, and joins forces with brother Jerry Narron, Milwaukee's bench coach.
Josh Hamilton has overcome drug and alcohol addiction to become one of baseball's biggest stars, earning the 2010 AL MVP award. Johnny Narron has been his confidant along the way, starting in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds and moving to Texas in 2008.
The Rangers deemed Narron's possible departure a significant development and they consulted with Hamilton before granting the Brewers permission to interview the coach.
"Johnny is very talented and has helped me tremendously, both personally and professionally," Hamilton said in a statement. "He is fulfilling a dream to be a Major League batting coach, and I have told him previously I would never stand in his way from doing that. We will stay in touch, and I wish him great success with the Brewers."
Narron has been credited with helping turn Mike Napoli from a slugger with a low batting average into a more complete hitter, resulting in the best season of the catcher's career.
But his bond with Hamilton had an impact on the field and off, as the outfielders strived to stay clean after years lost to addiction.
"I have nothing but love for Josh and I wish him all the success in the world," Narron told MLB.com. "I think he realized that this point could probably come, and I think Josh is at the point now, with his resources and the support system that will remain in place, that he'll be fine. He knows that any time he needs to talk to me, I'm always here for him."
Thoughts?
I think this may play a bit on Hamilton's mind this coming season. Will it have a significant impact? Unless he replaces this mentor with another guy he can rely on in the same way, yes it will.
Johnny Narron replaces Dale Sveum, who took over as manager of the Chicago Cubs, and joins forces with brother Jerry Narron, Milwaukee's bench coach.
Josh Hamilton has overcome drug and alcohol addiction to become one of baseball's biggest stars, earning the 2010 AL MVP award. Johnny Narron has been his confidant along the way, starting in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds and moving to Texas in 2008.
The Rangers deemed Narron's possible departure a significant development and they consulted with Hamilton before granting the Brewers permission to interview the coach.
"Johnny is very talented and has helped me tremendously, both personally and professionally," Hamilton said in a statement. "He is fulfilling a dream to be a Major League batting coach, and I have told him previously I would never stand in his way from doing that. We will stay in touch, and I wish him great success with the Brewers."
Narron has been credited with helping turn Mike Napoli from a slugger with a low batting average into a more complete hitter, resulting in the best season of the catcher's career.
But his bond with Hamilton had an impact on the field and off, as the outfielders strived to stay clean after years lost to addiction.
"I have nothing but love for Josh and I wish him all the success in the world," Narron told MLB.com. "I think he realized that this point could probably come, and I think Josh is at the point now, with his resources and the support system that will remain in place, that he'll be fine. He knows that any time he needs to talk to me, I'm always here for him."
Thoughts?
I think this may play a bit on Hamilton's mind this coming season. Will it have a significant impact? Unless he replaces this mentor with another guy he can rely on in the same way, yes it will.