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Time for change Slumping Red Sox fire Williams, promote Kerrigan
Updated: Friday August 17, 2001 10:42 AM
BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox fired manager Jimy Williams on Thursday in the middle of a playoff race after the team lost six of the last seven games and replaced him with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. Boston began the day only two games behind the Oakland Athletics in the AL wild card standings, dropping a season-high five games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette said Kerrigan agreed to a two-year contract. "We have 43 games left. Our goal is to get into the playoffs. That's all we're concerned about," Kerrigan said.
"He told me 'go for it,' basically," Kerrigan said. The Red Sox have been plagued by injuries that sidelined ace pitcher Pedro Martinez and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra for lengthy stretches. "We feel that it is in the best interest of the organization to make a managerial change at this time for everyone concerned, especially Red Sox fans," Duquette said in a statement. Kerrigan said he'd like to have stability in the first five lineup spots with Trot Nixon leading off and Garciaparra batting second. "We're all surprised," Garciaparra said. "We've got to get back into playing good baseball no matter who's our manager." Williams, whose relationship with Duquette didn't appear to be close, was in his fifth season as Boston's manager, compiling a 414-352 record. He led the team to the playoffs in 1998 and 1999. The Red Sox, seeking their first World Series title since 1918, took over first place in the AL East on May 31 and held it until July 3. But since the All-Star break they're 14-17, dropping to 65-53. Garciaparra, the two-time defending AL batting champion, played his first game of the season July 29 after having right wrist surgery on opening day, Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, has been sidelined by a strained shoulder since late June.
Williams' frequent lineup changes have been questioned and his relationship with Duquette has been cool. But there was no indication a firing was imminent. Williams was not available immediately for comment. Kerrigan said the news came as a complete surprise to him. He got a call midday as he was heading to a chiropractor appointment and was asked to meet Duquette for lunch. "Even walking up here ... I thought he wanted to talk to me about Pedro," Kerrigan said. Duquette said he hopes the move will spark a positive reaction from the team as they head down the final stretch. "Together with Red Sox fans, we are intensely focused on reaching our shared goals as we pursue the AL East title, a playoff berth, and continue our efforts toward bringing a World Series championship to Boston," he said. Kerrigan had never managed in the major leagues. He had been Boston's pitching coach since 1996 after five years in that role for the Montreal Expos. Williams was hired soon after Kerrigan. Williams, whose tenure was marked by a feud with outfielder Carl Everett, was fired by the Toronto Blue Jays in his fourth season as their manager, in 1989, when the team started 12-24. He then coached third base for the Atlanta Braves from 1990-96. Williams played pro baseball for seven years during the 1960s, including in 14 major league games for St. Louis in 1966-67. Boston began this season with high expectations after the offseason signing of free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez. Even Garciaparra's wrist injury didn't keep them out of contention. Garciaparra played only the last 15 games before Williams' firing and the Red Sox were 6-9 as he hit .294. Other injuries have been costly. Boston was 20-23 heading into Thursday's game since Martinez went on the disabled list June 26. Frank Castillo, who began the year as the team's third starter, was on the disabled list from June 29 through Aug. 8 and has been ineffective in his two starts since then. Bret Saberhagen, sidelined nearly 22 months, was outstanding in his first start on July 27. But after struggling in his next two appearances he was placed on the disabled list Aug. 8. Both he and Martinez were scheduled to pitch simulated games before the finale of the three-game series against Seattle. Williams became Boston's 41st manager Nov. 19, 1996, signing a two-year contract. He worked on one-year contract extensions, usually announced during spring training. But he didn't get an extension this year and his contract was due to expire at the end of the season. In 1997, the Red Sox were hurt by injuries and finished fourth in the AL East with a 78-84 record. But the next season they were 92-70, the second-best record in the AL, and lost to Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs after winning a wild-card berth. In 1999, Williams was voted AL manager of the year after Boston went 94-68 and earned another wild-card spot. The Red Sox beat the Indians in a five-game series before losing in the AL championship series to the New York Yankees, 4-1. Boston was 85-77 last season, finishing 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees and missing the playoffs.
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