Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams dies

LAS VEGAS, July 7 (UPI) -- Dick Williams, a Hall of Fame manager who led the Oakland A's to back-to-back World Series crowns, died Thursday. He was 82.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Williams died of a brain aneurysm.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Dick Williams today," said Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff. "He was a brilliant and feisty leader and universally recognized as one of the greatest managers in major league history."

Williams managed pennant winning teams in both leagues and guided Boston, the California Angels, Montreal, San Diego and Seattle in addition to Oakland. He compiled a career managerial record 1,571-1,451 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee three years ago.

In his first season as a manager, Williams helped bring Boston the American League championship in 1967.

"Dick Williams inherited a Red Sox team that had finished with a losing record in eight consecutive seasons and immediately set a new tone and course," Boston owner John Henry said. "Dick was an outstanding leader who demanded excellence and accountability from all his players. The 1967 AL pennant forever changed baseball in New England."

Williams took over the Oakland franchise in 1971 and the A's won 101 games that season. Oakland captured the World Series over Cincinnati in 1972 and over the New York Mets in 1973. He also won a National League pennant while with San Diego in 1984.

Williams had a 13-year major league playing career, during which he batted .260 with 70 home runs and 331 RBI.