All three teams that Williams skippered, the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, announced his passing. The Red Sox said he passed away in Florida after a brief illness.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Blue Jays manager Jimy Williams," the Blue Jays said in a post to X. "His impact on our organization will forever be remembered."
Williams went 910-790 in 12 seasons managing the Blue Jays (1986-89), Red Sox (1997-2001) and Houston Astros (2002-04). He took the Red Sox to the postseason in 1998 and 1999, going 5-9. He was manager of the year for Boston in 1999.
"Jimy Williams was a true staple and leader of the Red Sox," Boston said in a post to X.
Williams won two World Series rings as a coach, in 1995 as third base coach of the Atlanta Braves and 2008 as bench coach of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Williams played in just 14 games as a middle infielder in 1966 and '67 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 3-for-13 in his career, with his first hit coming off Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.
He joined the Blue Jays as a base coach in 1980 after managing in the minor leagues for six years.
