MLB: Jimy Williams - Managing for the Moment

This spring has seemed more like the winter of discontent for the Boston faithful. Among the injuries to superstars Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez, and Carl Everett causing some more tense moments in the clubhouse - Jimy Williams has been shaking off questions about his future status with the team, leaving many to question his desire to stay on with the club. Now, Williams shocked many members of the team and media by setting a most peculiar starting lineup for the season opener at Camden Yards. Apparently the fires blazing in Red Sox clubhouse are enough to make even pyromaniacs shudder in fear.

Throughout the years, people have questioned the mind of Jimy. Due to his quick, vague answers, a sort of speak the media has come to label as “Jimywocky,” many have passed Williams off as a simple man. People have questioned Williams’ managerial methods from his inconsistent lineups to his heavy reliance on his bullpen, yet there can be no questioning his success with the team. Williams has been with the team for five seasons now (1997-) and is presently the longest tenured Red Sox coach since Joe Cronin (1935-1947). Amid all the chaos and turmoil in the Sox clubhouse, Williams has brushed aside all the controversy and remained focused on preparing his team for the start of the season. The question remains, just how long will the Boston Red Sox be his team?

Duquette all but put the cement shoes on Williams’ feet when he hired former White Sox skipper to replace “Wave ‘Em In,” Wendall Kim as third base coach. To make matters more clear, he hired former Dodger hitting instructor, Rick Down, someone who was at the top of many head managerial wish lists this off-season. Through it all, Williams remains steadfast and continues to look forward to the season. Regardless of the injuries to Nomar and Manny, the explosive behavior of Carl Everett, and the logjam of unhappy players at many positions, Williams insists he will not quit on the season or his ball club. Many members of the press are unsure of Williams’ willingness to remain with the club under Duquette’s sophomoric antics and now, there are many scratching their heads at his starting lineup for the Sox opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

While throwing a curve at everyone from the fans, the press, and even the members of the team, Williams set a lineup that no one could have predicted at the start of the spring. On the right side of the infield, rookie sensation Shea Hillenbrand (22-for-52 for a .423 average this spring) will get the start at third base. At shortstop, Nomar Garciaparra’s fill-in will be the 5’5-5’7 (many have speculated over the actual height) Craig Grebeck. The second baseman will be Chris Stynes (.382 this spring, 3 HR, 15 RBI), someone many penciled in for the third baseman role at the beginning of the year. Brian Daubach and Jason Varitek (.345, 5 HR, 16 RBI) will hold down their respective positions at first base and catcher, respectively. In the outfield, left fielder Troy O’ Leary (.344, 4 HR, 11 RBI), the subject of numerous trade rumors, will start along side center fielder Carl Everett, the only healthy all-star slugger left in the lineup. Williams has yet to determine his designated hitter /right field positions depending upon the health of slugger Manny Ramirez. Due to these lineup selections, there are a few major players in limbo.

Jose Offerman was always a large part of the lineup since coming over to Boston from Kansas City. He was a usual fixture at second and many figured him to be the Sox second baseman come opening day. Yet, word around camp is Williams is unhappy with Offerman’s weight situation and lethargic attitude. Offerman apparently has lost all of the quickness that allowed him to steal 40+ bases with Kansas City a few seasons ago and now is losing a tremendous battle with chronic aches and pains. After a dismal spring in which he hit a meager .182, Williams announced that Offerman come off the bench and platoon at first and second base during the season. Offerman, it should be noted, was given a large fiscal contract from Duquette a few seasons ago and Duquette touted Offerman as a void to the departed Mo Vaughn.

Trot Nixon, a major fan favorite also subject to many trade rumors, has been left without many answers after Manny Ramirez decided to not play in left and wanted his position in right field back. Nixon has played all different outfield positions this past spring while hitting a ridiculous .369 with 7 HR and 10 RBI (Nixon had 7 HR in the spring and last season only hit 12 HR all season long). Yet, he is a man without answers as his fate has yet to be decided. Everett is the everyday center fielder and if Manny wants to play in the field, he certainly will be the one in right regardless of his defensive shortcomings.

Backup catcher Scott Hatteberg has had a hot bat this spring (.357 with 4 HR and 10 RBI), and in arguably the most puzzling of Williams’ moves, named Hatteberg as the potential DH over Dante Bichette. Bichette, one of baseball’s more potent hitters, has had a poor spring (.235, with 2 HR) and Williams said he would be the DH mainly on days the Sox faced a left-handed pitcher. Now, the futures of three of Boston’s bigger stars seem cloudier than Dione Warwick’s crystal ball.

Many members of the Boston media have said that these moves are Jimy just trying to spark that fire in many of the players. Some reporters have said that this is the lineup Williams believes gives the Sox the best chance to win while some simply believe he is sending a message to Duquette, possibly tempting Dan to fire him in wake of his reported unhappiness at the helm of the club.

Are these the moves of a crafty Sox manager who has proven his worth as an above-intelligent, throwback baseball mind, or are these the cunning jabs by a bitter man to his non-supportive boss who sees the sun setting on his time in Boston?