Fred Claire obit

Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire Dies at 91

The longtime Dodgers executive helped build the 1988 World Series champions during a three-decade career with the organization.

 He was not on the list.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Former Los Angeles Dodgers public relations executive and general manager Fred Claire died at his home Monday night, the team announced Tuesday. He turned 91 on Monday.

Claire spent three decades with the Dodgers and served as general manager from 1987 through 1998, helping construct the club that won the 1988 World Series.

“The Dodgers are grieving the passing of Fred Claire, a longtime key fixture of our organization,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement.

“Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as a 1988 World Series title, and we are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era. Our hearts go out to his wife Sheryl and his family.”

Longtime Dodgers broadcaster Ross Porter first announced Claire’s death Monday night in a Facebook post, writing that Claire died on his birthday after an 11-year battle with cancer.

“I lost a close friend today. The world lost a good man,” Porter wrote.

Fred Claire helped build the 1988 World Series champions

A native of Jamestown, Ohio, Claire moved with his family to Torrance when he was 15. He graduated from Torrance High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University before working as a sportswriter during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Claire’s Dodgers career began in 1969, when the Long Beach Press-Telegram assigned him to cover Spring Training in Vero Beach, Florida. He joined the club’s public relations staff that summer, became vice president of the department in 1975 and was elevated to general manager in 1987.

His most enduring baseball legacy came almost immediately. Claire reshaped a Dodgers club that had lost 89 games in 1987 and assembled the roster that won the 1988 World Series.

Claire signed National League MVP Kirk Gibson and added several other important pieces, including Mickey Hatcher, Rick Dempsey and Mike Davis. He also helped acquire Alfredo Griffin and relievers Jay Howell and Jesse Orosco, strengthening the defense and bullpen around a pitching staff led by Orel Hershiser.

The Dodgers defeated the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in five games. Claire was named The Sporting News’ Major League Executive of the Year for his work building the championship club.

Claire later told MLB.com that the unity and character of the 1988 roster were central to its success. His role in constructing that team remained a defining part of his Dodgers legacy.

A Dodgers executive and cancer advocate

Claire remained the Dodgers’ general manager through June 1998. His tenure also included five consecutive National League Rookie of the Year winners from 1992 through 1996: Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raúl Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and Todd Hollandsworth.

After his baseball career, Claire became a prominent advocate and fundraiser for City of Hope following his diagnosis with jaw and neck cancer. Porter wrote that Claire credited the medical center with extending his life and referred to those additional years as “extra innings.”

Porter also remembered Claire as the executive who helped begin his 28-year Dodgers broadcasting career and as a loyal friend to his family.

Claire is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and their three children, Jeff, Jennifer and Kim. Funeral services are pending.