Jimy Williams, 1999 AL Manager of the Year, dies at 80

Jimy Williams, the former manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, has died in Florida after a brief illness, the Red Sox announced Monday. He is survived by his wife, four children and eight grandchildren.

In 12 seasons as an MLB manager, he finished 910-790 at the helm of the Blue Jays (1986-89), Red Sox (1997-2001) and Astros (2002-04). He won two World Series, as the Atlanta Braves' third-base coach in 1995 and the Philadelphia Phillies' bench coach in 2008.

During his five seasons with Boston, Williams enjoyed some of his best success as a manager. A year after finishing second in the American League Manager of Year voting, Williams won the award in 1999. This coincided with Boston's back-to-back trips to the postseason in 1998 and 1999. Williams owned a 5-9 playoff record with the ballclub.

"Jimy Williams was a true staple and leader of the Red Sox," the Red Sox said Monday.

Williams had a brief career in the majors, playing 14 games across two seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966 and 1967.

After six seasons as a manager in the minor leagues, he got his first coaching gig in the big leagues in 1980 as a base coach for the Blue Jays.