From 1997 to 2001, Williams managed the Red Sox, leading them to wild-card playoff berths in 1998 and 1999. In 1999, the Red Sox reached the American League Championship Series, but lost to their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1. Williams received the 1999 Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award for the American League. Williams' relationship with general manager Dan Duquette soured, especially after Duquette publicly backed volatile outfielder Carl Everett after a September 2000 dispute with Williams. Red Sox fans routinely disparaged him on the Internet, using the epithet "Dumy." When the Red Sox — depleted by injuries — slumped in August 2001, Duquette fired Williams. The club then lost 27 of 43 games under Duquette's appointee, Joe Kerrigan. Williams finished his tenure as Red Sox manager with a record of 414 wins and 352 losses.