Fred Claire, Dodgers executive behind 1988 title, dies at 91

Fred Claire, the longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive who built the roster that won the 1988 World Series, died Monday, October 5, on his 91st birthday, the team announced Tuesday. The Dodgers said he died in Pasadena. He had recently entered hospice care, according to the team’s announcement as reported publicly. Claire spent about three decades with the Dodgers, working in public relations before becoming the club’s general manager in 1987. He was promoted after general manager Al Campanis was dismissed following racist remarks made during a television interview. Claire remained in the role until 1998. The 1988 Dodgers won the World Series in five games against the Oakland Athletics. Among Claire’s roster moves ahead of that season was signing outfielder Kirk Gibson, who became central to the championship run. In Game 1, an injured Gibson hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the ninth inning to give Los Angeles a 5-4 win. The moment remains closely associated with the team’s title. The Dodgers’ championship was a high point in Claire’s tenure. He was named baseball’s executive of the year after the season.