Fiery. Hard-nosed. Tough. Sharp-tongued. Dick Williams was called all of these things and more during his time as a major league baseball manager. But if you don’t remember the rotund skipper for anything else, know this: he is the only manager in the history of the major league San Diego Padres who never had a losing season. And, with the team’s penny-pinching “small market” history, that fact speaks volumes. His accomplishments as a manager earned him election to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2008, and the acerbic Williams admitted he broke down and cried when he received the notification. When Williams passed away July 7 from a ruptured aortic aneurysm in a hospital near his home in Henderson, Nev. at age 82, many fans and former players shed their own tears. Born Richard Hirschfeld Williams on May 7, 1929 in St. Louis, he was an average athlete who played 1,023 major league games with five teams over a 13-year span. Later, he found his calling as a no-nonsense field boss who earned a reputation for turning losing teams around, producing winners and breaking in young players. His heavy-handed style of leadership often wore thin after several years, explaining his frequent change of employers from 1967 through 1988. Williams was hired to lead the Padres in 1982 by legendary owner Ray Kroc. He finished the ‘82 and ‘83 schedules with identical 81-81 records leading up to one of the Padres’ greatest seasons that saw the Friars reach the World Series in 1984 for the first time in franchise history. As a mini-season ticket holder, the team’s improvement under Williams brought long-overdue electricity to home games at Qualcomm Stadium, or the “The Q,” as it is commonly referred to. His 1984 team included young pitchers Eric Show, Dave Dravecky and Andy Hawkins. Speedy Alan Wiggins batted first and was followed by the likes of Kevin McReynolds, Tony Gwynn, Steve Garvey and Graig Nettles. And crowds roared when Goose Gossage saved the game. As a sports enthusiast and Padres fan, I proudly pinned my “Goose Saved the Game” pins to my cap, along with thousands of others. The traditionally-lowly Padres soared to a record of 92-70 that season. The city was delirious as Williams’ squad took the National League pennant in a miraculous comeback after losing the first two games — handily — to the Chicago Cubs. I witnessed Garvey’s famous home run clobber, among the greatest moments in San Diego sports history. Despite a World Series loss to Detroit in five games, Williams had again accomplished what other Padres managers couldn’t. Following an 83-79 season in 1985, friction developed between Williams, Padres president Ballard Smith (Kroc’s son-in-law at the time) and General Manager Jack McKeon. Williams was let go shortly before spring training began in 1986. Williams also won pennants with Boston (1967) and Oakland (1972-73). Those Athletics teams won the World Series both years. He is one of only seven managers to win pennants in both the National and American Leagues. Only one other manager in history has led three different franchises to the World Series. And Williams is one of only two to lead four different teams to seasons of 90 or more victories. Although some players disliked Williams with a passion, former Oakland A’s pitcher Vida Blue perhaps spoke for most: “He got the best out of us.” Knowing how he was perceived, Williams said, “If guys can’t stand the heat, they don’t belong in the major leagues. I don’t know anybody who refused the World Series checks I helped them get.” Williams recalled his managerial antics in a 1990 book “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” that furthered his sharp-tongued reputation. “(Williams) had great instincts on and off the field and you always knew where you stood,” said former player Ken Harrelson. Speaking to a reporter at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 27, 2008 about his techniques, Williams acknowledged “I wouldn’t last a week” with today’s players. Williams is survived by his wife, Norma, three children and five grandchildren. As a Padres fan, I would simply say, “Thank you, Dick.”