Toronto Coach Jimy Williams Named Manager

After six years as the team’s third-base coach, Jimy Williams was named manager of the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, inheriting a team that won the American League East title.

He became the fourth manager in the team’s nine-year history, succeeding Bobby Cox, who resigned to become general manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Pat Gillick, the club’s vice president of baseball operations, said that Williams, 42, was the only serious candidate, although as many as eight people were considered for the job.

“He’s the most qualified,” said Gillick, who signed Williams to a one-year deal believed to be worth about $200,000. “He’s been with us for six years and he knows the players, both here and in the farm system.

“Continuity is very important, and we feel that Jimy can pick up where Bob Cox left off.”

Where Cox left off was 99 regular-season wins and a berth in the playoffs. The club fell one victory shy of its first pennant.

The Blue Jays also announced that batting coach Cito Gaston, bullpen coach John Sullivan, first base coach Billy Smith and pitching coach Al Widmar have been re-signed to one-year contracts for 1986.