Former manager Dick Williams dies at 82

Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, who won two World Series titles with Oakland and led two other franchises to pennants, has died. He was 82.

Williams died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm at a hospital near his home in Henderson, Nev., the Hall of Fame said.

Williams won pennants with Boston and San Diego as well as the championships in Oakland, joining Hall of Famer Bill McKechnie as the only managers ever to take three franchises to the World Series.

He also helped build the Montreal Expos team that went to the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1981 season as he built on his success turning around struggling franchises with his no-nonsense approach.

But he had his biggest success during three tumultuous seasons in Oakland in the 1970s. Williams led the Athletics to 101 wins and a division title his first year in 1971 before being swept by Baltimore in the A.L. championship series.

He then won World Series titles the next two years with Charley Finley’s brash team led by Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter as the A’s became the first team to repeat since the 1961-62 Yankees.

He final managerial job came with Seattle Mariners when he was hired during the 1986 season and was fired during the 1988 season.

Judge denies Dodgers

A Delaware judge denied a request by the Los Angeles Dodgers to order Major League Baseball to turn over a vast array of documents in the team’s bankruptcy case.

The Dodgers sought a wide range of records they believed would bolster their argument that Commissioner Bud Selig and MLB have treated the team unfairly and should not be allowed to serve as its bankruptcy lender.

Clearing the bases

Catcher Joe Mauer made his major league debut at first base in the Minnesota Twins’ game against the Chicago White Sox. Before he even got to play the field, Mauer hit an RBI single in the top of the first inning. He finished with three hits.… Jose Reyes was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Mets with a strained left hamstring that will keep him out of the All-Star game. Reyes led the majors in hitting with a .354 batting average entering the night. … Paul Konerko of the White Sox and Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino were picked for the All-Star game in online fan voting. … Los Angeles Angels rookie closer Jordan Walden will replace ailing Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees at the All-Star game. Rivera has soreness in his right arm.