 10/05/2003 1:27 PM ET
Young answer to old curse?
Batboy and son of bench coach a charm for Sox
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By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
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BOSTON -- The Red Sox may have found at least one answer to the curse of the Bambino, and it comes from a source half the size of the Babe.
Red Sox batboy Connor Narron, the son of Red Sox bench coach Jerry Narron, has become the unofficial good luck charm for the Red Sox this season. The Red Sox are now 6-0 when Connor is in the dugout, including 4-0 against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium earlier this season, Saturday's 3-1 victory against Oakland in Game 3 of the ALDS at Fenway and Sunday's thrilling, 5-4 win over the A's in Game 4.
Connor Narron, who lives in North Carolina with his mother, was in the dugout Sunday and said before the game that he would do his best to keep the streak alive. He spent most of the morning doing his normal pregame -- and winning -- routine of shagging fly balls, pretending to leap over the wall for catches, and generally having a good time running around the outfield.
"Pedro (Martinez) was the first to tell me I'm good luck," the younger Narron said. "Grady (Little) said that after we win today that I'm going to go to Oakland. He knows I have school, but he said he's going to be my private tutor and teach me himself."
Papa Narron is overjoyed with the idea of sharing his love for the game of baseball with his young son and the quality time they get to share. He knows these games -- regular season and playoff games -- are memories neither will forget.
"I'm really happy to have him around," the elder Narron said. "He's my son. I love him and to have him here is a great thing. I think Grady wants to take him out of school and use him all the time. I'm not sure he can miss school though, but we'll see."
It was decided after the game that Connor will indeed be going to school instead of going to Oakland with the team.
Connor is the latest in the long line of Narrons affiliated with professional baseball. Relatives Sam Narron Sr. played and coached in the Major Leagues and Richard "Rooster" Narron advanced to Triple-A in the New York Mets organization. Uncle John Narron, Jerry's brother, was a catcher in the Yankees and the White Sox systems and Sam Narron Jr. is currently a pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization.
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for
MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its
clubs.

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