Fred Claire, the longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive who helped shape the club’s identity and later built the roster that won the 1988 World Series, has died at 91.
Claire died Monday in Pasadena, California, on his 91st birthday, the Dodgers announced Tuesday.
He had recently entered hospice care.
Claire spent roughly three decades with the organization, rising from public relations work to become one of the most important front-office figures in franchise history.
He had also spent years battling cancer.
Claire was first diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer on his lip in January 2015 at age 80.
The cancer later returned in his jaw and neck, leading to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy during an 11-year fight.
“Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as the 1988 World Series title,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said.
“We are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era.”
Claire’s path to the Dodgers began unexpectedly.
While covering the team during spring training in Florida for the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 1969, he learned that one of the club’s public relations assistants had been fired.
Claire expressed interest in the opening and was hired that July.
By 1975, he had been promoted to vice president of public relations and promotions.
In that role, Claire helped shape the public image that became closely associated with the franchise.
He played a major role in promoting the Dodgers’ “Dodger Blue” branding and the “Think Blue” campaign.
During that era, Los Angeles also became the first Major League Baseball team to draw more than 3 million fans in a season.
The Dodgers attracted 3.3 million fans in 1978.
Claire was also behind one of Dodger Stadium’s most memorable scoreboard messages.
In 1976, Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday ran onto the field and grabbed an American flag away from two spectators who were attempting to burn it.
Claire instructed the stadium message board operator to display a simple message:
“Rick Monday……You Made a Great Play”
Claire’s role with the organization changed dramatically in 1987.
General manager Al Campanis was fired after controversial comments during an appearance on ABC’s “Nightline.”
Team owner Peter O’Malley then handed Claire control of baseball operations.
Claire accepted the position on the condition that he would have full responsibility for the team.
His first season as general manager was difficult.
The Dodgers finished 73-89 in 1987.
But one year later, Claire helped assemble the team that would define his front-office career.
In January 1988, he signed Kirk Gibson.
The move became one of the most important additions in franchise history.
Los Angeles went on to defeat the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in five games to win the World Series.
The defining moment came in Game 1.
Despite being injured, Gibson came off the bench and launched a two-run home run off Dennis Eckersley in the bottom of the ninth inning, per Trending Politics.
The blast gave the Dodgers a 5-4 victory and became one of the most famous moments in World Series history.
Claire was named baseball’s executive of the year.
“Fred was a talented team player and everyone in the organization enjoyed working with him,” O’Malley said.
Claire made several moves that helped build the championship roster.
He brought players including John Shelby, Tim Belcher, Alfredo Griffin, Jay Howell, Jesse Orosco and John Tudor to Los Angeles.
He also acquired future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray twice.
Not every move worked out.
Claire later admitted that one of his biggest regrets was trading Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos.
Martinez went on to become one of the greatest pitchers of his generation.
Claire’s time with the Dodgers came to an end after the O’Malley family sold the franchise to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Entertainment Group in 1998.
Two months after the sale, future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins.
Claire later said the blockbuster deal was completed without his knowledge.
He strongly disagreed with the trade and later wrote that his reaction to it cost him his job.
Claire and manager Bill Russell were fired on June 21, 1998.
He never returned to baseball in a full-time role.
Still, he remained closely connected to the sport through writing, radio, consulting and teaching.
Claire taught sports business courses at Caltech, the University of Southern California and Long Beach State.
He was born Fredic Marston Claire on Oct. 5, 1935, in Jamestown, Ohio.
As a child, he attended Cincinnati Reds games with his family before later moving to California.
Claire earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and began his career as a sports writer making $65 a week.
That job eventually opened the door to the Dodgers.
He went from covering the team to helping run it, leaving behind a legacy tied to some of the most memorable years in franchise history.
Claire is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and his children, Jeff, Jennifer and Kim.
