Jimy Williams, the former manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros, passed away on Friday at the age of 80, his former teams confirmed on Monday morning.
In the 1960s, Williams began his career as an infielder for Fresno State. Before a shoulder injury ended his playing career and allowed him to pursue a coaching career, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals for two seasons.
Following a stint in the minor league system of the California Angels, Williams became a third base coach for the Blue Jays, working under manager Bobby Cox. Williams succeeded Cox as Toronto’s manager in 1986 after Cox resigned to take the helm of the Atlanta Braves.
Williams was appointed manager of the Red Sox prior to the 1997 season. After losing in the ALDS and ALCS in 1998 and 1999, respectively, Boston advanced to the postseason. In 1999, Jimy Williams was named AL Manager of the Year.
Williams was let go by the Red Sox in 2001 after a late-summer collapse and three straight second-place AL East finishes in 2000.
