Dick Williams Quits Padres

Dick Williams resigned as manager of the San Diego Padres today, 11 weeks after an attempt by Padres executives to buy out his contract was blocked by team owner Joan Kroc.

“For the past few weeks, I have been asking myself, ‘Do I really want to manage the Padres another year?’ My honest answer finally was ‘no,’ ” Williams said at a hastily called news conference. Williams and Kroc embraced and kissed after Kroc thanked him for the Padres’ National League championship season in 1984. He had one year remaining on his three-year contract.