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Book Review: Fred Claire: My 30 Years in Dodger Blue
by Daniel Paulling
July 10, 2004
Book Review: Fred Claire: My 30 Years in Dodger
Blue
By Fred Claire with Steve Springer
Published by Sports Publishing L.L.C.
p. 205
Available now
This is my first book review for the website, so hopefully I can
give full credit to Mr. Claire’s excellent work with this writing.
Mr. Fred Claire begins his book by telling about the end of his
Dodger career. In chapter two, Mr. Claire gives a brief look at
his life in the town of Jamestown, Ohio, and how he began his career
as a sportswriter at El Camino College.
It all started when Claire’s professor made a challenge for
the final grade in the class. The budding student then sent an article
entitled “Make Way for the Coast League” to “Baseball
Magazine.” He later received an A in the class for his published
story, along with a check. The story then delves into how Claire
worked through several prominent positions and newspapers to become
involved in the PR of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Claire then writes about experiences with such Dodger greats as
Walter O’Malley, Walter Alston, Al Campanis, Bill Schweppe,
and Red Patterson. Along with those front office men, Claire has
Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, Bobby Valentine, Bill Buckner,
Tom Paciorek, Joe Ferguson, Doyle Alexander, Geoff Zahn, Sandy Vince,
Jackie Robinson, Rick Monday, and so many more mentioned.
Another major topic of discussion is Claire’s rise through
the Dodgers front office. He started off in PR for the Dodgers,
then became the Executive VP, and finally the General Manager, with
a few stops in between and a little bit of being in the right place
at the right time.
Fred then talks about several of the people who have made a lasting
impression on both him and the Dodger organization. Tommy Lasorda,
the great manager, is covered in-depth, as well as speedster Maury
Wills. The acquisitions of Rick Monday, Kirk Gibson, Jesse Orosco,
and a few others for the Dodgers World Series Championship in 1988
are covered fully. He brings a new light on the 1994 player’s
strike, as well as what it takes to make a trade, the good ones
and some bad ones, and a few words on free agents.
Additionally Claire briefly touches base on some of the lesser high
points of the Dodger organization. When manager Tommy Lasorda ended
his career due to heart problems, Bill Russell took over. And the
time, in 1997, when everything came to an end. Walter O’Malley
sold the Dodgers to the Fox Corporation, which ended the family
ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Fox group was not totally
horrible, but they did make a completely destructive deal of moving
Mike Piazza to the Marlins. Claire covers their ownership very thoroughly.
The book ends with a personal section about Fred’s life after
work.
This entire book is a very good read. Fred Claire tells his
life of a brilliant Dodger Blue in an excellent manner, placing
insightful anecdotes with well-written descriptions of his work.
This garners 2.5 balls of a possible four, but is a must own for
any Dodger fan or anyone interested in the workings of a Major League
baseball front office.
Our Rating System is based on a four ball
system as follows:
One Ball: Average. It has something to say but is nothing
special.
Two Balls: Something men usually have - also means its a
cut above average, and worth reading/owning.
Three balls: Stands out from its peers and is highly recommended.
Four Balls: More than just what two men have when hanging
out together, it means it is an exceptional book that truly earns
a walk - straight to the local book store to get a copy.
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