Narron Brothers Still Could Meet in World Series

Every community and town anywhere in America or for that matter the world  is proud any time one of their own leaves and goes on to the big stage.  Here in Nash County now we have Julius Peppers in the NFL.  Colleges all over the south are dotted with Nash County players in all sports and we all hope one or more of them hit the big time in what ever sport they might play.

Heading into the 6th game of tonight's American League Championship series the city of Goldsboro can take pride that one of their own will be in the dugout and if the Texas Rangers win it will be Johnny Narron's second trip in a row to the World Series.

Johnny is listed in  the official Texas Rangers Web page as a hitting assistant.  His job for the Rangers is keep Josh Hamilton out of trouble.  Hamilton from Raleigh is of course the "Super Star" center fielder of the Rangers who by his own admission would be in danger of getting into drugs or alcohol with out others helping him.  Narron is the Texas Rangers helper as in the Press Guide it is called the "Accountability Partner" of Josh Hamilton.  He takes him to the ball park, stays with him on the road and just might be the most important person in the dugout for the Rangers.

Over in the other league there is brother Jerry also from Goldsboro and like brother  Johnny played for ECU before turning pro.  Jerry has become a trivia question in baseball as after the tragic death of Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees in 1979 Narron was called up from the minor leagues and was the catcher for the Yankees the first game after Munson's death.  That faithful night when the lineup was called and Bob Shepherd the PA man of the Yankees and the Yankees took the field there was no name called at catcher in honor of Munson and there was  a few moments when the Yankees had eight players on the field without a catcher then Jerry made that jog to behind the plate.

Jerry has gone on to manage in the big leagues  and is now the hitting assistant  for the Milwaukee Brewers.  They must win two straight from the Cardinals while brother Johnny just needs tonight or game seven to return to the World Series.

I had the privilege to meet Jerry while Rich Sarmeinto was holdiing a fund raiser one night on the Stretchlon Sports Show.  I can tell you when I don't have a dog in a fight I root for the folks from home.  Right now to me that puts me rooting for the Brewers and Rangers and the Narrons.  They may both make it to stare at each other from the opposite dugout.  Don't you know the TV would eat that up.