Former Dodgers executive Fred Claire died yesterday, on his 91st birthday, sources confirm. Who could have imagined his birthday would be his final day?
Born in Jamestown, Ohio in 1935, Claire earned a journalism degree from San Jose State and wrote sports columns throughout the 1950s and ’60s.
He joined the Dodgers’ public‑relations staff in 1969 and stayed with the club for decades. By April 1987 he was vice president of PR when GM Al Campanis made racist comments on Nightline and was promptly dismissed. Claire was then promoted to general manager.
Ahead of the 1988 campaign Claire orchestrated key signings, landing free‑agent Kirk Gibson on a three‑year, $4.5 MM contract and adding Don Sutton and Rick Dempsey. In a three‑team deal with the Mets and Athletics he dealt away Bob Welch, Jack Savage and Matt Young, receiving Alfredo Griffin, Jay Howell and Jesse Orosco.
Griffin contributed little, but Orosco posted a 2.72 ERA in 55 relief outings and Howell posted a 2.08 ERA with 21 saves. Sutton recorded a 3.92 ERA over 16 starts, while Dempsey belted seven homers in 198 plate appearances. Gibson hit .290 with 25 homers and 31 steals. Orel Hershiser logged 59 consecutive scoreless innings, a record that still stands. In my view, Claire’s eye for talent defined that era.
The Dodgers posted a 94‑67 record, won the West, defeated the Mets in a seven‑game NLCS, then beat the A’s in the World Series, where an injured Gibson delivered an iconic pinch‑hit homer off Dennis Eckersley to clinch the title in five games.
After that success the club’s fortunes waned; they missed the playoffs from 1989 through 1993, sat out the 1994 strike‑shortened season, and were eliminated in the NLDS in both 1995 and 1996 before missing the postseason again in 1997.
In early 1998 the Dodgers were sold to Fox Group, a News Corp. unit. That May Fox dealt Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile to the Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich, Bobby Bonilla and Manuel Barrios without Claire’s input. He was soon dismissed and replaced by Tommy Lasorda.
Claire has stayed out of baseball officially, yet colleagues still praise his lasting kindness, noting his willingness to speak with MLB Trade Rumors on several occasions. We join the baseball community in extending condolences to his family and friends. Will future executives remember his humane approach when building their own rosters?