Jimy Williams
Encyclopedia
James Francis "Jimy" Williams (born October 4, 1943) is an American former manager
of three Major League Baseball
teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California
.
who threw and batted right-handed, graduated from Arroyo Grande, California
, High School and Fresno State University. He signed originally with the Boston Red Sox
and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
in the 1965 Rule 5 draft
. He appeared in 14 games for the Cards over two seasons 1966–67, but had only 13 at bat
s, compiling a batting average
of .231. Although he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
after the 1967 season, then selected in the 1968 expansion draft
by the Montreal Expos
, he never appeared in an MLB game for either club. The first pitcher Williams ever faced was Sandy Koufax
. He got his first hit off another Hall of Famer: Juan Marichal
.
managing career with the California Angels
in 1974. He soon reached the Triple-A level and was appointed the third base coach
of the Toronto Blue Jays
in 1980.
He had the job for six seasons, until he was promoted to manager in 1986 when Bobby Cox
left to join the Atlanta Braves
organization. Williams lasted until the 1989 season, when he was fired after a very poor start and replaced by Cito Gaston
who went on to win two World Series
championships with the team. He spent 1991–96 with the Braves as their third base coach, working again under Cox. While with the Braves, Williams developed an outstanding reputation as a teaching coach, especially adept at working with infielders.
Williams has since managed with the Red Sox, leading them to wild card
playoff berths in 1998 and 1999 (the latter involved the Red Sox reaching the American League Championship Series
against their arch-rivals the New York Yankees
, who wound up beating them 4 games to 1). But Williams' relationship with general manager Dan Duquette
soured, especially after Duquette publicly backed volatile outfielder
Carl Everett
after a September 2000 dispute with Williams. Red Sox fans routinely disparaged him on the Internet, using the epithet "Dumy." When the Red Sox, depleted by injuries, slumped in August 2001, Duquette fired Williams. The club then lost 27 of 43 games under Duquette's appointee, Joe Kerrigan
.
Williams then took command of the Houston Astros
beginning in 2002. While serving as a National League
coach at the 2004 All-Star Game
in Houston, at a time when the Astros were struggling at the .500 mark, the crowd at Minute Maid Park
responded to the introduction of Williams with a decidedly mixed reaction, in contrast to the ovations generally given members of the home team who are introduced at an All Star game.
The Astros fired Williams and two principal coaches the following day, having likely waited until after the festivities to avoid a public embarrassment. Williams was replaced by Phil Garner
, who led the Astros to within one game of going to their first ever World Series
before managing Houston to the NL pennant in 2005.
He was named the Phillies bench coach on October 16, 2006 and continued with that role through the Phillies 2008 World Series
Championship season. Williams decided not to return to his position for the 2009 season. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel
said "As far as I know, it's not like that he left on a bad note. He was pretty happy. I guess there's things he wants to think about."
Jimy Williams is not to be confused with James Bernard Williams
, a former minor league outfielder
and manager and MLB coach with the Astros and Baltimore Orioles
. The baseball careers of the two Williamses somewhat overlapped.
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of three Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California. The 2010 census population was 100,062, putting it ahead of Santa Barbara for the first time and making it the largest city in the county...
.
Playing career
Williams, a former infielderInfielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
who threw and batted right-handed, graduated from Arroyo Grande, California
Arroyo Grande, California
Arroyo Grande is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. The population was 17,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Arroyo Grande is a small coastal town with historic, suburban, and rural elements located at...
, High School and Fresno State University. He signed originally with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the 1965 Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. He appeared in 14 games for the Cards over two seasons 1966–67, but had only 13 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, compiling a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .231. Although he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
after the 1967 season, then selected in the 1968 expansion draft
1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft
The 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted to stock up the rosters of four expansion teams in Major League Baseball which would begin play in the 1969 season....
by the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, he never appeared in an MLB game for either club. The first pitcher Williams ever faced was Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He got his first hit off another Hall of Famer: Juan Marichal
Juan Marichal
Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
.
Coaching career
His playing days cut short by a shoulder injury, Williams began his minor leagueMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
managing career with the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in 1974. He soon reached the Triple-A level and was appointed the third base coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1980.
He had the job for six seasons, until he was promoted to manager in 1986 when Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
left to join the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
organization. Williams lasted until the 1989 season, when he was fired after a very poor start and replaced by Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
who went on to win two World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships with the team. He spent 1991–96 with the Braves as their third base coach, working again under Cox. While with the Braves, Williams developed an outstanding reputation as a teaching coach, especially adept at working with infielders.
Williams has since managed with the Red Sox, leading them to wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
playoff berths in 1998 and 1999 (the latter involved the Red Sox reaching the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
against their arch-rivals the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, who wound up beating them 4 games to 1). But Williams' relationship with general manager Dan Duquette
Dan Duquette
Daniel F. Duquette is the Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations for the Baltimore Orioles. He was the General Manager of the Montreal Expos from September through January and for the Boston Red Sox from through March...
soured, especially after Duquette publicly backed volatile outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Carl Everett
Carl Everett
Carl Edward Everett III is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently an outfielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. A switch hitter, he played with the Chicago White Sox on their 2005 World Series winning team...
after a September 2000 dispute with Williams. Red Sox fans routinely disparaged him on the Internet, using the epithet "Dumy." When the Red Sox, depleted by injuries, slumped in August 2001, Duquette fired Williams. The club then lost 27 of 43 games under Duquette's appointee, Joe Kerrigan
Joe Kerrigan
Joseph Thomas Kerrigan is a former relief pitcher, manager and longtime pitching coach in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
.
Williams then took command of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
beginning in 2002. While serving as a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
coach at the 2004 All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in Houston, at a time when the Astros were struggling at the .500 mark, the crowd at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
responded to the introduction of Williams with a decidedly mixed reaction, in contrast to the ovations generally given members of the home team who are introduced at an All Star game.
The Astros fired Williams and two principal coaches the following day, having likely waited until after the festivities to avoid a public embarrassment. Williams was replaced by Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
, who led the Astros to within one game of going to their first ever World Series
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
before managing Houston to the NL pennant in 2005.
He was named the Phillies bench coach on October 16, 2006 and continued with that role through the Phillies 2008 World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
Championship season. Williams decided not to return to his position for the 2009 season. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel
Charlie Manuel
Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
said "As far as I know, it's not like that he left on a bad note. He was pretty happy. I guess there's things he wants to think about."
Jimy Williams is not to be confused with James Bernard Williams
Jimmy Williams (coach)
James Bernard Williams is a Canadian former outfielder, coach and manager in minor league baseball and coach in Major League Baseball. Williams threw and batted right-handed, stood 5'10" tall and weighed 180 pounds...
, a former minor league outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and manager and MLB coach with the Astros and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. The baseball careers of the two Williamses somewhat overlapped.
External links
- Baseball-Reference.com – Career Managerial Record
- Philadelphia Phillies Bio