Former Red Sox manager Jimy Williams dies at 80

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Former Red Sox skipper Jimy Williams died on Friday at the age of 80, the club confirmed on Monday. Williams was the manager of team from 1997-2001.

“As the Red Sox manager from 1997-2001, Jimy Williams was a true staple and leader of the Red Sox,” the team said on Twitter/X. “We send our love to the Williams family.”

Williams managed the Blue Jays from 1986-1989 before he joined Bobby Cox’s staff as a third base coach from 1991 through 1996. Former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette hired Williams after he let go Kevin Kennedy in Nov. 1996.

During this time as Sox manager, Williams finished under .500 in 1997 but led the club to back-to-back playoff appearances each of the next two seasons. The Red Sox clinched wild-card spots in 1998 and 1999. Boston was not able to advance past the American League Championship series.

The Red Sox then missed the postseason in 2000 and 2001. Williams was fired in Aug. 2001, late into his fifth season with the club, and replaced by Joe Kerrigan.

The Red Sox were a train wreck under Kerrigan, he was fired at the end of the 2001 season and replaced by Grady Little, who spent two seasons as manager. Boston then hired Terry Francona.

Williams is known for saying it’s easier to keep calm clubhouse than it was while he was home.

“I’ve got a wife and four kids. You want turmoil?” Williams said when he was hired to manage the Red Sox in 1996. “You’ve got to talk. You can’t choose up sides and say, ‘Let’s see who wins this battle.”

Williams is the eighth-winningest manager in Red Sox history, having amassed a record of 414-352 (.540) in his five seasons with the club. In total, Williams managed to a 910-790 record (.535) in 12 total seasons with Toronto, Boston and Houston.

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