– Former Blue Jays manager Jimy Williams dies at age
– Red Sox and Astros manager Jimy Williams passes away at age.
Jimy Williams, the former manager of the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros, has passed away at the age of 80. The news of his death was confirmed by the Red Sox, who announced that Williams died on Friday at AdventHealth North Pinellas Hospital in Tarpon Springs, Florida, after a brief illness.
Born James Francis Williams on October 4, 1943, in Santa Maria, California, Williams had a successful career in baseball both as a player and a manager. He gained recognition as the American League Manager of the Year in 1999 for leading the Red Sox to their second consecutive playoff appearance.
Known for his calm demeanor in the clubhouse, Williams once remarked that managing his family of four kids was more challenging than managing a team. He attended Fresno State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agri-business in 1964. During his time at Fresno State, Williams played summer ball with notable players such as Tom Seaver and Graig Nettles.
Williams made his major league debut on April 26, 1966, as an infielder for the Boston Red Sox. Although his playing career was cut short by a shoulder injury, he transitioned into coaching and eventually became the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986. During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Williams led the team to two winning seasons and came close to securing a division title in 1987.
After leaving Toronto, Williams returned to the Atlanta Braves as the third base coach and played a pivotal role in the team’s victory in the 1992 NL Championship Series. In 1996, he was hired as the manager of the Boston Red Sox, where he achieved consecutive 90-win seasons and a memorable comeback in the 1999 Division Series against Cleveland.
Following his time with the Red Sox, Williams joined the Houston Astros as their manager in 2002. He led the team to two winning seasons before being fired in 2004. Williams’ managerial record stands at an impressive 910-790.
In addition to his accomplishments in baseball, Williams was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Peggy, and their three children, Monica Farr, Jenna Williams, and sons Shawn and Brady. Monica, a former All-America swimmer at Texas A&M, won two gold medals at the World University Games.
The baseball community mourns the loss of Jimy Williams, a respected figure who left his mark on the sport both as a player and a manager. His contributions to the game will always be remembered.
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– Former Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros manager Jimy Williams passes away at age 80
– Jimy Williams, former manager of Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros, dies at 80.
