Fred Claire, Architect of Dodgers' 1988 World Series Title, Dies at 91
The former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, known for his strategic acumen and long tenure with the franchise, passed away on his 91st birthday.
Fred Claire, the general manager credited with building the Los Angeles Dodgers roster that won the 1988 World Series, has died. He passed away on Monday, his 91st birthday, after recently entering hospice care.
Claire spent three decades with the Dodgers, working his way up through the front office before being named general manager in 1987. His tenure culminated in the iconic 1988 championship, the team's first title in seven seasons. During his time as GM, he was instrumental in acquiring key players such as outfielders Kirk Gibson and Mike Davis, shortstop Alfredo Griffin, and pitchers Jay Howell and Jesse Orosco, all of whom played significant roles in the team's success.
Gibson's improbable pinch-hit walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland Athletics remains one of baseball's most legendary moments, a testament to the roster Claire assembled.
Claire's career with the Dodgers began in 1969 after he transitioned from sports writing and editing. He held various roles, including vice president of public relations and promotions, where he was credited with developing the "Dodger Blue" branding and the "Think Blue" campaign that helped the team become the first MLB franchise to draw over 3 million fans in a single season in 1978.
He ascended to the general manager position following a public relations crisis in April 1987. Then-GM Al Campanis made controversial remarks on ABC's "Nightline" regarding the lack of Black individuals in leadership positions in baseball. Campanis was subsequently fired, and team owner Peter O'Malley entrusted Claire with baseball operations.
Claire's tenure as GM also included other significant acquisitions, such as Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, whom he traded for in 1988 and again in 1997. However, he also expressed regret over trades involving Pedro Martinez and Eric Davis.
His time with the Dodgers concluded in 1998 when the team was sold to Fox Entertainment Group. Shortly thereafter, without Claire's knowledge, catcher Mike Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins in a complex deal orchestrated by Fox executives. Claire stated that this trade, driven by television interests, ultimately led to his dismissal from the organization.
Following his departure from the Dodgers, Claire remained involved in baseball through writing, consulting, and co-founding an analytics company. He also shared his expertise by teaching sports business at Caltech, the University of Southern California, and Long Beach State.
Claire was diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer in 2015, embarking on an 11-year journey managing the disease, which included surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. He attributed his ability to remain active during his treatment to his regular jogging routine.
"Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as the 1988 World Series title," team president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement. "We are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era."