Red Sox manager for the “Impossible Dream” team has died

In 1967, the Boston Red Sox were rated as 100-1 longshots to win the American League pennant. They won in dramatic fashion.  Dick Williams, who managed that unforgetable winning team, died yesterday at the age of 82.

During the pre-season, Williams made a modest prediction, “We’ll win more ballgames than we lose”. That team, managed by Williams and led by Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Lonborg, George Scott and other great players, captured the hearts of Red Sox Nation through triumph and tragedy. That was the year  Massachusetts’ native Tony Conigliaro was hit in the head by a fastball mid-season.  He never returned to his former greatness.

Dick Williams managed several other teams after his Red Sox days, including the Oakland Athletics where he won two World Series.  Known throughout his career as a strict disciplinarian, Williams was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 2008.

The climb to the winning of the American League pennant remains a classic story of achievement.  The drama of that season was chronicled in a post-season record album, a vinyl disc that has not withstood the test of time. The narrator of that record,  titled “The Impossible Dream” was Red Sox broadcaster Ken Coleman.  Ken Coleman in his later years was a resident of Plymouth.  His contribution in capturing the drama of that historic season has resulted in his entry into the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds Notable Land Records Collection.

Perhaps the best known Plymouth County resident from that great season is “Gentleman Jim”, now known as Doctor Jim Lonborg, who that year won the “Cy Young Award”, given to the league’s best pitcher.  Lonborg lives with his wife, Rosemary, in Scituate.  Our volunteer display committee made a decision years ago not to publicize anyone’s property while they are still living in their home, for privacy reasons.

To view all of the notable records we have brought forward, please got to the Notable Records Collection on our home page.