But his shortcomings have never been more in display than they were on Thursday night when he backed Everett in the wake of the incidents the previous 36 hours. This has nothing to do with on-field decision making on the part of Jimy Williams, either. People on this board have debated and will continue to debate the shortcomings of this manager. One thing that is obvious to me, the beatwriters who cover the Sox, and his players, is Williams is a respected man throughout the Sox clubhouse and baseball. This is not how you treat a man of his caliber.
Fans are hungry for a World Series title, and that can be appreciated.
But there is something to be said for how you go about winning. There are 24 other men in that clubhouse who have questioned Everett's commitment to his team and winning, and that is not a good sign. There will be plenty of time to discuss the merits of Jimy Williams, but if Duquette vanquishes him in the wake of this incident, shame on Duquette, shame on John Harrington for being noticeably absent during this period, and shame on the legion of Duke supporters who have forsaken principle and decency in the name of winning.