The Boston Red Sox and the baseball community are mourning. The loss of former manager Jimy Williams, who passed away at the age of 80, as the club announced today. Williams, who managed the Sox from 1997 to 2001, died on Friday in Florida following a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy that includes an American League Manager of the Year award in 1999, according to the team's post on X.
As the Red Sox manager from 1997-2001, Jimy Williams was a true staple and leader of the Red Sox.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 29, 2024
We send our love to the Willams family. pic.twitter.com/HPRWGw4XqE
Williams compiled a record of 414-352 during his tenure with the Red Sox, which ranks him eighth on the franchise's all-time list for both managerial games and wins as he led the team to two consecutive postseason appearances; however, they did not advance further than the American League Championship Series (ALCS), as MassLive reports. Before his time in Boston, he managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1986-1989 and concluded his management career with the Houston Astros from 2002-2004 after being let go midway through the 2001 season by the Red Sox.
Remembered as a "true staple and leader of the Red Sox," Williams' career was notable for its peaks and valleys, including a World Series title as a bench coach with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. The Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros also expressed their condolences wishing the Williams family strength in this difficult time, with each team recognizing the distinct impact Williams had during his managerial stints with their organizations.
Jimy Williams' earlier career included playing short stints for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1960s before he found his calling in management; his overall managerial record stands at 910-790, underscoring a career that crossed multiple decades and teams. Williams is survived by his wife of 47 years, Peggy alongside his children, Shawn, Brady, Monica Farr, and Jenna, as well as his eight grandchildren, who will no doubt miss the presence and guidance of the family patriarch, the Red Sox conveyed.
