Major League Baseball Player, Coach & Manager. Born James Francis Williams, he attended Arroyo Grande High School in California and later California State University. Signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1964, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals as a Rule 5 player in 1965 and made his Major League debut on April 26th, 1966. A shortstop and second baseman, he played for parts of two seasons (1966 to 1967) with the St. Louis Cardinals and was briefly a member of the 1967 team which went on to win the World Series. After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy career as a coach and manager. He served as a minor league manager with the California Angels' and St. Louis Cardinals' organizations and guided the Salt Lake City Gulls to a league championship in 1979. He served as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays for parts of four seasons (1986 to 1989). For parts of five seasons (1997 to 2001), he served as manager of the Boston Red Sox and guided them to two playoff berths (1998 & 1999) and received Manager of the Year honors in 1999. For parts of three seasons (2002 to 2004), he served as manager of the Houston Astros. As a coach under Bobby Cox, he experienced a world championship with the Atlanta Braves in 1995, and as bench coach under Charlie Manuel he saw a second World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
Major League Baseball Player, Coach & Manager. Born James Francis Williams, he attended Arroyo Grande High School in California and later California State University. Signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1964, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals as a Rule 5 player in 1965 and made his Major League debut on April 26th, 1966. A shortstop and second baseman, he played for parts of two seasons (1966 to 1967) with the St. Louis Cardinals and was briefly a member of the 1967 team which went on to win the World Series. After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy career as a coach and manager. He served as a minor league manager with the California Angels' and St. Louis Cardinals' organizations and guided the Salt Lake City Gulls to a league championship in 1979. He served as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays for parts of four seasons (1986 to 1989). For parts of five seasons (1997 to 2001), he served as manager of the Boston Red Sox and guided them to two playoff berths (1998 & 1999) and received Manager of the Year honors in 1999. For parts of three seasons (2002 to 2004), he served as manager of the Houston Astros. As a coach under Bobby Cox, he experienced a world championship with the Atlanta Braves in 1995, and as bench coach under Charlie Manuel he saw a second World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
Bio by: C.S.
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