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When 'good' isn't enough

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 19, 2001

When Jimy Williams was fired unexpectedly by the Red Sox last week, it continued the club's tradition of axing managers with winning percentages over .500. Of the past six managers fired, only Butch Hobson had a losing record. The Red Sox were 207-232 under Hobson from 1992-94. Here's a look at the five by the years they were fired:

When Jimy Williams was fired unexpectedly by the Red Sox last week, it continued the club's tradition of axing managers with winning percentages over .500. Of the past six managers fired, only Butch Hobson had a losing record. The Red Sox were 207-232 under Hobson from 1992-94. Here's a look at the five by the years they were fired:

1980

FIRED: Don Zimmer

RECORD: 411-304 (five seasons)

WINNING PCT.: .575

1988

FIRED: John McNamara

RECORD: 297-273 (four seasons)

WINNING PCT.: .521

1991

FIRED: Joe Morgan

RECORD: 301-262 (four seasons)

WINNING PCT.: .535

1996

FIRED: Kevin Kennedy

RECORD: 171-135 (two seasons)

WINNING PCT.: .559

2001

FIRED: Jimy Williams

RECORD: 414-352 (five seasons)

WINNING PCT.: .541 -- Compiled by Kevin Kelly.

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