PASADENA — Fred Claire, the former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager who oversaw the franchise's 1988 World Series championship, died on Monday at age 91. His death occurred in Pasadena, California, on his 91st birthday.

Claire served as the Dodgers' general manager from 1987 to 1998, a tenure defined by the team's title run and later complicated by ownership changes under Fox Entertainment Group. He had entered hospice care recently prior to his passing.

Claire was promoted to vice president of public relations and promotions for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975. During this period, he was instrumental in creating the Dodger Blue branding and Think Blue campaign. The Los Angeles Dodgers drew 3.3 million fans in 1978, becoming the first MLB team to exceed 3 million in attendance. Claire also hired announcer Ross Porter, who worked for the Dodgers from 1977 to 2004.

In April 1987, Al Campanis was fired as Los Angeles Dodgers general manager after making controversial remarks about Black people on ABC's Nightline. Peter O'Malley appointed Claire as the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager in April 1987. Claire accepted the role on the condition that he would have total responsibility for baseball operations.

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished with a 73-89 record in 1987, Claire's first full season as general manager. "I truly believe they may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or perhaps, a general manager," Al Campanis said.

Kirk Gibson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland Athletics. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Oakland Athletics in five games to win the 1988 World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 1988 World Series under Claire's leadership as general manager. Claire was named Major League Baseball Executive of the Year in 1988.

"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. "And we are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era."

Claire traded pitcher Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos in November 1993. The trade was part of a broader strategy to address immediate roster needs, including acquiring Delino DeShields. The O'Malley family sold the Los Angeles Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Entertainment Group in March 1998.

Mike Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins in a seven-player deal in May 1998 without Claire's knowledge. Claire described the Piazza trade as prioritizing media interests over baseball operations. Claire and manager Bill Russell were fired by Fox on June 21, 1998. "Fred was a talented team player and everyone in the organization enjoyed working with him," Peter O'Malley said in a statement.

After leaving the Dodgers, Claire co-founded a baseball analytics company in 1998. He leveraged his 30-year tenure to consult on sports-related businesses and later taught sports business courses at the University of Southern California, Caltech, and Long Beach State. Claire also worked as a columnist and radio show host for MLB.com after leaving the Dodgers.

Claire wrote a memoir titled 'Claire: My 30 Years in Dodger Blue' published in 2004. The book detailed his tenure as GM, including the 1988 World Series and the challenges of navigating ownership changes under Fox Entertainment Group. He co-authored a book titled 'Extra Innings' with Tim Madigan in 2021.

Claire was diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer on his lip in January 2015. He underwent surgery to remove cancer cells from his lip, but the cancer later returned in his jaw and neck. Claire had surgery to remove a nerve on the left side of his face along with several lymph nodes.

He underwent radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy treatments for cancer. Claire is survived by his wife Sheryl and children Jeff, Jennifer, and Kim.

Why It Matters

Claire's career spanned three decades with the Dodgers, transitioning from public relations to general management during a period of organizational change. His appointment followed the dismissal of Al Campanis, and his tenure included both a World Series title and an end under new corporate ownership. The sale to Fox Entertainment Group marked a shift in how the franchise operated, leading to Claire's departure after disputes over player transactions.

The 1988 championship remains a defining moment in Dodgers history, built on acquisitions Claire made as general manager. His post-baseball work in analytics and education extended his influence beyond the field, while his memoirs provided an internal perspective on the business and competitive pressures of Major League Baseball. His death closes a chapter on an executive who helped shape the modern identity of the Los Angeles franchise.

Timeline

Claire was born on October 5, 1935, in Jamestown, Ohio. Claire moved to Torrance, California, at age 15. Claire graduated from San Jose State University with a journalism degree.

Claire worked as a sports writer for the Whittier Daily News after college. Claire covered the Dodgers for the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 1969. Claire began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 1969 as a public relations assistant.

Claire directed the message board operator to display 'Rick Monday...You Made a Great Play' after Rick Monday saved an American flag from being burned at Dodger Stadium in 1976.

What's New

The 1988 Dodgers' World Series victory included seven players acquired or developed under Claire, including Kirk Gibson, Jesse Orosco, and Alfredo Griffin, whose collective contributions defined the team's championship core. Claire's memoir 'Claire: My 30 Years in Dodger Blue' (2004) detailed his tenure as GM, including the 1988 World Series and the challenges of navigating ownership changes under Fox Entertainment Group. Claire wrote the game story on the Dodgers winning Game 3 of the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox, the team’s first World Series win after moving to Los Angeles.

Claire's 1988 World Series-winning team featured three players he signed as free agents: Kirk Gibson, Mike Davis, and Rick Dempsey, each playing pivotal roles in the franchise's first title since 1963. Claire co-founded a baseball analytics company after leaving the Dodgers, leveraging his 30-year tenure to consult on sports-related businesses and later teaching sports business courses at the University of Southern California. Claire co-founded a baseball analytics company after leaving the Dodgers in 1998.

Claire's first job out of college was as a sports writer for the Whittier Daily News at $65 a week. Claire served as the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager from 1987 to 1998.