Fred Claire, the esteemed Los Angeles Dodgers executive who played a pivotal role in shaping the franchise's identity and famously assembled the 1988 World Series-winning roster, died Monday in Pasadena, California. He passed away on his 91st birthday, with the Dodgers announcing his death the following day. Claire had recently entered hospice care after an extensive battle with cancer.
"Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as the 1988 World Series title. We are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era." Stan Kasten, Dodgers president and CEO.
Claire's association with the Dodgers spanned approximately three decades, during which he ascended from public relations work to become one of the most influential front-office figures in the team's history. His journey began unexpectedly in 1969. While covering the Dodgers' spring training for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Claire learned of a public relations assistant opening. He expressed interest and was hired that July. By 1975, his dedication and acumen led to a promotion to vice president of public relations and promotions.
In this early, crucial role, Claire was instrumental in cultivating the public image that became synonymous with the Dodgers. He spearheaded the promotion of the distinctive "Dodger Blue" branding and launched the enduring "Think Blue" campaign, which resonated deeply with fans. During his tenure, Los Angeles made history as the first Major League Baseball team to attract over 3 million fans in a single season, drawing 3.3 million in 1978. Claire was also behind one of Dodger Stadium's most memorable scoreboard messages in 1976, when he instructed the operator to display "Rick Monday……You Made a Great Play" after the Chicago Cubs outfielder famously saved an American flag from being burned on the field.
A dramatic shift in Claire's responsibilities occurred in 1987. Following the controversial firing of general manager Al Campanis, team owner Peter O’Malley entrusted Claire with control of baseball operations. Claire accepted the demanding position on the condition that he would be granted full responsibility for the team’s direction. His initial season as general manager proved challenging, with the Dodgers finishing 73-89 in 1987. However, just one year later, Claire orchestrated the team that would define his front-office career.
In January 1988, Claire made a franchise-altering move by signing veteran outfielder Kirk Gibson. This acquisition proved to be one of the most significant in Dodgers history. That season, the Dodgers, considered heavy underdogs, went on to defeat the Oakland Athletics in five games to claim the World Series title. The defining moment of that series came in Game 1, when an injured Gibson emerged from the dugout to hit a dramatic two-run pinch-hit home run off closer Dennis Eckersley in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a 5-4 victory for Los Angeles. Claire’s strategic leadership and the team’s improbable victory earned him the prestigious title of baseball’s executive of the year.
"Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as the 1988 World Series title," said Stan Kasten, Dodgers president and CEO. "We are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era." Former team owner Peter O’Malley also praised Claire, stating, "Fred was a talented team player and everyone in the organization enjoyed working with him."
Claire’s tenure as general manager involved numerous key roster moves beyond Gibson. He acquired players such as John Shelby, Tim Belcher, Alfredo Griffin, Jay Howell, Jesse Orosco, and John Tudor, all contributing to the championship squad. He also notably acquired future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray on two separate occasions. However, not every decision yielded the desired outcome. Claire later acknowledged that one of his biggest regrets was trading pitching prospect Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos, as Martinez subsequently became one of the greatest pitchers of his generation.
Claire's long and distinguished career with the Dodgers concluded after the O’Malley family sold the franchise to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Entertainment Group in 1998. Just two months after the sale, future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins, a blockbuster deal that Claire later stated was completed without his knowledge or input. He strongly disagreed with the trade, and his vocal opposition, as he later wrote, ultimately cost him his job. Claire and manager Bill Russell were fired on June 21, 1998.
Despite his departure from a full-time role in professional baseball, Claire remained deeply connected to the sport throughout his life. He continued to contribute through writing, radio appearances, consulting, and teaching sports business courses at institutions like Caltech, the University of Southern California, and Long Beach State.
Born Fredic Marston Claire on October 5, 1935, in Jamestown, Ohio, he developed an early love for baseball attending Cincinnati Reds games with his family before moving to California. Claire earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and began his career as a sports writer, a path that unexpectedly led him to the Dodgers organization. He transitioned from covering the team to profoundly influencing its operations and leaving an indelible mark on some of the most memorable years in the franchise's storied history. Claire is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and his children, Jeff, Jennifer, and Kim.
