As expected, the Cincinnati Reds officially removed the interim tag from Narron's title Thursday by signing him to a one-year contract for the 2006 season with a mutual option for 2007. Specific terms of the agreement were not announced.
Cincinnati is the parent club of the Class AA Chattanooga Lookouts.
"Jerry has earned this opportunity the way the club has responded to him in terms of his leadership on the field and in the clubhouse," general manager Dan O'Brien said. "His focus on trying to play the game the right way is going to be very important to us going forward, and that's throughout our Minor League system all the way to the Major Leagues."
The 49-year-old Narron has led the Reds to a 46-42 record since replacing Dave Miley on June 21.
"I've enjoyed the last couple months," Narron said. "I think the guys have played hard, and that's made it very easy."
Before taking over the manager's spot, Narron had been a bench coach with the club in 2004 and the beginning of '05.
This is his second managerial position. He guided the Rangers to a 134-162 record in 2001 and '02. He also coached for the Rangers from 1995-2001 and worked as bench coach under Red Sox manager Grady Little in 2003. Narron managed four seasons in the Minor Leagues for affiliates of the Orioles from 1989-92.
A Goldsboro, N.C., native, Narron played parts of eight seasons with the Yankees, Mariners and Angels as a backup catcher.
He is the 58th manager in Reds history and the 48th since 1900.
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Adapted from article on the Major League Baseball website.
Dave Miley was ousted as manager on June 21st.
Click to enlarge photo.
- Photo2 by Major League Baseball