Jimy Williams, Former Red Sox Manager, Passes Away at 80
Jimy Williams, the esteemed former manager of the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros, has sadly passed away at the age of 80. Williams, who won the American League Manager of the Year award in 1999, died on Friday after a brief illness at AdventHealth North Pinellas Hospital in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
A Successful Career
Williams had an impressive managerial career, winning a total of 910 games over a span of twelve seasons. He led the Red Sox to back-to-back playoff appearances and was named AL Manager of the Year in 1999. Despite his success on the field, Williams admitted that managing his family was often more challenging than managing a clubhouse.
Early Life and Playing Career
James Francis Williams, known as Jimy, was born on October 4, 1943, in Santa Maria, California. He attended Arroyo Grande High School and graduated in 1961. Williams went on to study at Fresno State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agri-business in 1964. During his time at Fresno State, he played summer ball with future baseball legends Tom Seaver and Graig Nettles.
Williams made his major league debut on April 26, 1966, playing for the Boston Red Sox. Although his playing career was cut short due to a shoulder injury, he cherished his memories of the game, including his first big league hit.
Transition to Coaching and Managing
After his playing career ended, Williams transitioned to coaching and managing. He started as a manager for the California Angels’ Class A Quad Cities team in 1974. Over the years, he worked his way up through the ranks and eventually became the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986. Williams led the Blue Jays to successful seasons but clashed with star player George Bell, leading to his replacement by Cito Gaston.
Williams later returned to the Atlanta Braves as a third base coach and was part of the memorable play in the 1992 NL Championship Series that sent the Braves to the World Series. In 1996, he became the manager of the Boston Red Sox, where he achieved further success, including a comeback win in the 1999 Division Series.
Legacy and Personal Life
Jimy Williams left a lasting impact on the teams he managed and the players he coached. After his managerial career, he served as a roving instructor for the Tampa Bay Rays and as Charlie Manuel’s bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, winning a World Series ring in 2008.
Williams is survived by his wife of 47 years, Peggy, and their children Shawn, Brady, Monica Farr, and Jenna Williams. Brady currently serves as the third base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, while Shawn is a former minor league manager. Monica was an accomplished swimmer at Texas A&M and won gold medals at the World University Games.