From Big Leaguer to Successful Coach
Jimy Williams, a former big leaguer, quickly transitioned into coaching after a shoulder injury cut short his playing career. He worked his way up to manage the Boston Red Sox, becoming the first of many stops during his managerial career.
Managerial Career Highlights
Williams began his managerial journey in the minors with the California Angels’ Class A Quad Cities team. He later took over as the manager for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1982, succeeding Bobby Cox. In 1998, Williams joined Cox once again, this time as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves.
One of Williams’ most memorable moments came in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS when he made a bold decision to send Sid Bream home, resulting in a game-winning run against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1997, Williams returned to the manager’s seat, this time for the Boston Red Sox. While his first season saw only 78 wins, the team’s performance improved significantly in subsequent years. In 1999, Williams led the Red Sox to a 94-68 record and earned the title of American League Manager of the Year.
Post-Managerial Career
After leaving the Red Sox, Williams was hired by the Houston Astros in 2001 but was fired in 2004 with a 44-44 record. Despite not winning a World Series as a manager, Williams experienced victory as a coach. He served as a roving instructor for the Tampa Bay Rays before joining Charlie Manuel’s staff as the bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Williams’ time with the Phillies proved fruitful, as the team won the World Series in 2008. However, their hopes for another championship were dashed by the New York Yankees in 2009.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Williams amassed a record of 281 wins and 241 losses over 523 games as a manager. Despite not achieving a World Series victory in that role, his contributions to the teams he coached left an indelible mark on the baseball world.