This time, Jerry Narron gets to start from the beginning. The circumstances and expectations, though, are completely different than he expected when he signed his two-year contract extension in June.
Doug Melvin, his close friend and the general manager who hired him, has been fired. The supposed three-year rebuilding program has been shelved. The idea of building solely around young players has been bumped aside by an aggressive push in the free-agent market.
New general manager John Hart, who is determined to be involved in every aspect of the organization, wants to win now.
So does owner Tom Hicks.
So does shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who remains close to the owner.
Narron’s job, after Hart made major changes during his first months with the Rangers, is to make it all work on the field. That job started Friday with the first spring-training workout for pitchers and catchers in Port Charlotte, Fla.
“It would have been a challenge if everything was still status quo,” Narron said. “To say it’s more of a challenge than any other time, I don’t believe that. It’s a challenge no matter what happens. But it’s also a great opportunity.
“I don’t see myself under the gun any more than 29 other guys. Everybody wants to win. Everybody expects to win.”
Hicks, when he hired Hart, recommended that Narron be retained. Hart agreed. There is little doubt, though, that Hart could have fired Narron if he desired. Hicks has given Hart full control of the baseball operations.
“I’ve known Jerry for a long time, and we’ve worked together for a winter,” Hart said. “Jerry and I have been in constant contact, and Jerry knows how hard we’ve worked and what our goals are. I think he was clearly a proponent of an aggressive push.
“I know Jerry wants to win. He has great character and integrity that will translate as we go forward. I am confident that Jerry will be a big part of our success because he has good qualities.”
Rodriguez agreed, which might be crucial.
“I’m glad John decided to keep Jerry around,” he said. “Jerry did a great job last year. He was good with the veterans and patient with the young players. Jerry’s a great baseball man. I love Jerry.”
A-Rod’s input
Rodriguez’s endorsement could be important given his role as the team leader and his strong standing with Hicks. Star players carry clout. Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio is tight with his owner, Drayton McLane, and discontent in the clubhouse was a major factor in manager Larry Dierker being dismissed, despite winning four division titles in five years.
“I’m always very careful that whatever Alex tells me, I report to the general manager and the manager,” Hicks said. “Alex is consumed with baseball, and he wants to win. He’s very smart. If you look at last year, he knew we might have a problem with the manager before we did. But the only thing he said to me was, did I think players should be afraid of the manager?
“He expressed a concern, but he never said another word about it. He never disagreed with the moves made by his general manager.”
Added Hicks, “We will respect the chain of command.”
Hart said the Rangers have five significant clubhouse leaders: Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, Rusty Greer and Ivan Rodriguez.
Palmeiro and Greer are highly respected but rarely vocal. They lead by example, going out and playing hard every day. Gonzalez shows up every day almost in his own world. Ivan Rodriguez openly shuns a leadership role.
Alex Rodriguez, besides being close to the owner, is vocal and openly seeks the leadership role. That’s why–more than mercurial outfielder Carl Everett, outspoken reliever John Rocker or anybody else–he could be the most important player in the Rangers’ clubhouse. Narron understands that.
“He plays the game hard, and, from what I’ve seen, he’s a very team-oriented player,” Narron said. “Of the guys I’ve been around–star players–this guy goes out of his way more than any other player of his caliber to help out other players. … Alex loves the game. He’s a very smart player.”
More Top Picks Apple Watch Series 3
As far as dealing with Rodriguez and many other strong personalities in the clubhouse, Narron said: “Believe it or not, I do everything I can to treat everybody the same. I show everybody as much respect as I can.
“I believe guys who have been in the game longer definitely deserve more leeway than guys who are just entering the game. But I try to treat everybody with respect.”
But there’s no doubt Rodriguez will play a significant role. So will Hart.
The boss’ input
Having done much in the off-season trying to improve the Rangers, Hart is not about to sit back and watch from afar.
“You’re not going to see me say this is the end of my work,” Hart said. “We have high hopes and expectations. This is an ongoing effort.
“The responsibility for me, the front office and the scouts is to continue to provide Jerry and his coaches everything they need to make the club successful.
” I’m not rolling over and saying you’ll see me in October. I’m going to be part of the solution.”
When the Cleveland Indians prepared to take on the defending World Series champion New York Yankees in the 1997 Division Series, the understanding was veteran Orel Hershiser would start Game 1 and Charles Nagy, the team’s leading winner, would start Game 2.
Hart interceded, believing rookie Jaret Wright was the Indians’ best chance in Game 2. In a meeting with manager Mike Hargrove and their staff, Hart asked them who they would rather start, Wright or Nagy, if their life depended on it. When the discussion was over, Wright started. And won.
“Part of the reason I’m in this is I do know baseball,” Hart said. “I have thoughts and ideas. But the manager is in charge on the field. I want the manager to make the decisions.
“I have never once mandated who he plays and what he does.”
Hart managed in the minor leagues and in winter ball. He even managed the Indians for 19 games in 1989. He said that experience has given him an appreciation for what the manager goes through.
“I understand how difficult the job is,” Hart said. “There are select times when you are involved in the decisions that relate to the field. … But you’ll never hear me criticize the manager for what happened in the game.”
Putting it all together
With Hicks’ blessing, Hart pursued an aggressive plan designed to give the Rangers a serious chance to contend this year.
He brought in some talented players, including Gonzalez and pitcher Chan Ho Park. He brought in some controversial players, including Rocker and Everett. He brought in 16 new pitchers in an attempt to improve the worst pitching staff in baseball.
Now, Narron must put it together on the field, and figuring out the pitching staff remains the most important task.
But there is no doubt he finds himself in a completely different situation than he foresaw in May when he replaced Johnny Oates.
“I see it as a great opportunity, not only for myself but for everybody,” Narron said. “We’ve made a lot of changes, a lot of positive changes that give us a chance to be in a position to contend.”
His bosses will likely accept nothing less.
“Everybody’s got pressure on them,” Hicks said. “The pressure is still on John Hart. He’s going to have an active partnership with his manager.
“Jerry’s got a job to do. Everybody’s got a job to do, and Jerry’s is important.”