THE NEWBERG REPORT -- DECEMBER 23, 2007

Jim Reeves, in his Sunday column for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, notes that the Rangers have brought Johnny Narron (brother of former Rangers and Reds manager Jerry Narron) aboard in a number of capacities, the most important of which will be to continue to serve as confidant and mentor to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Narron, who coached Hamilton as a youth in North Carolina, served in that role last year for the Reds, in addition to running the club's video system. According to Reeves, he'll do the same for Texas and will also assist the organization as an in-game scout and help hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. Notably, Narron also provided support for Cincinnati hitting coach Brook Jacoby, who had been with the Rangers for four years before getting the Reds job and had filled in for Jaramillo as big league hitting coach when Jaramillo was sidelined due to cancer treatments.

Narron was also a manager and hitting coach in the Brewers system, but his experience as a friend to Hamilton is why he's here.

You can read more from Jamey Newberg at www.NewbergReport.com.