Sox manager decides first, talks later

When Red Sox manager Jimy Williams was a coach with the Atlanta Braves he was the invisible man. He liked it that way.

Never unfriendly or unapproachable, he simply did his job under Braves manager Bobby Cox and avoided the limelight assiduously. His primary goal was not to be quoted in the press and never, ever say anything that would be in conflict with what Cox was saying or doing.

He was the perfect organizational man, a smart baseball man and a good person. When he took the Boston job, one issue written about in this column was whether he would be forceful enough to run a team and not have it run over him.

In his own careful way, he has succeeded, but it has not been easy. Dan Duquette, the Sox general manager, wants to be in charge. Williams has had his disagreements with the GM, but has kept them mostly behind closed doors. At the same time, he has made his points regarding what he thinks needs to be done to better the team.

With the players, Williams tries to avoid confrontation. His decisions are often announced, without discussion. That antagonizes some of the Sox, but it defines his approach. His door is open if they want to talk.

Williams’ approach with the players may be the new-age way to persevere as a manager in the big leagues. Rather than creating a controversy through discussion about what he wants to do, he just does it. He talks about it later, and not much even then.

Given a choice, he would still be the invisible man when it comes to the press. That is impossible in light of his position, so every day his office door is opened for the daily press confab.

There are few members of the press who dislike Williams. There is nothing to dislike. They just wish he would make their job easier.

These daily press meetings are a whimsical treat to behold. Williams sits at his manager’s desk and waits for the questions, casting a friendly hello or a running barb, but he generally sits in silence.

The press knows he is not about to offer anything of substance on his own, so someone will ask something or make a comment for a response. That’s when Williams will either give a yes or no answer, or better still, will quietly begin a dissertation that would make Casey Stengel proud.

A few minutes into one of these meandering nonresponses and no one can remember the original question. That’s when members of the press begin looking at each other and smile. Everyone knows Williams is just eating up time, but he is so well liked and respected that the press will openly joke with him about saying nothing.

There have been few who can avoid controversy on a daily basis in sports better than Jimy Williams. He knows he cannot win prolonged public arguments with either management or players. He will be the first to go if the atmosphere gets too hot. So, he keeps the kitchen cool.

He demands that his coaches be loyal to him. His staff is his right arm and his bulwark. He, in return, is totally loyal to the coaches.

His only objective is to win. The players and management know that. Thus, there is respect.

He is the lobsterman coming off the boat in Corea. Day’s effort given. Not much to say about it. Back at it tomorrow. Hope to do better.

The Sox are lucky to have him.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and NBC sportscaster.