My 30 Years in Dodger Blue
Fred Claire with Steve Springer
2004


















The Pitch

This book originally had little appeal to me.  Certainly, Fred Claire was a prominent ingredient to the Dodgers teams I followed from the late 1980s to the late 1990s.  But what enjoyment would I get out of reading about his life and career with the Dodgers?  With all due respect to Fred, I thought, “Who cares about his career?”  It turns out that examining Fred’s tenure with the Dodgers is a fascinating look at the inner workings of the Dodgers front office.  Full of insights on Dodgers management from Fred’s earliest days with the team in the 1960s, to the dreadful takeover by the FOX Corporation, My 30 Years in Dodger Blue is an eye-opener.  Fred covers, in great detail, the Al Campanis fiasco, the signing of Kirk Gibson, the troubles of Maury Wills, Peter O’Malley’s decision to sell the team, his relationship with Tommy Lasorda and, of course, the Mike Piazza trade in a fashion that most readers will enjoy.


Best Quote

“I’m going to go into his bedroom and scream at him every morning at 4 a.m.,” Todd Zeile told friends.  “The only reason I ended up in Florida is because (Piazza) didn’t sign (with the Dodgers).”



Things I didn’t know, or just plain forgot


  • Fred Claire coined the phrase “Dodger Blue” in 1977.

  • In 1983 when Tommy Lasorda was approached to become the next manager of the Yankees, Joe Morgan was chosen to become the new Dodgers manager.

  • Juan Bell, Brian Holton, and Ken Howell were the players sent to Baltimore for Eddie Murray in the winter of 1988.

  • The trade of Mike Piazza to Florida was motivated by FOX’s desire to start cable channels in L.A. and Miami.

  • The contract Mike Piazza turned down from the Dodgers in 1998 ($13.5 million per year), was worth more than the one he ended up signing with the Mets ($13 million).

  • After the Piazza trade, Fred Claire looked to obtain Randy Johnson from Seattle.  His offer of Hideo Nomo and Wilton Guerrero was turned down.  Seattle’s proposal was Adrian Beltre and Darren Dreifort for Johnson – which Claire declined.



Overall Rating:  Home Run!

My 30 Years in Dodger Blue hits a home run for its unique insights, stories, and views.  Fred Claire writes exceptionally well, covering all the bases while not dwelling too long on any one event.  My 30 Years in Dodger Blue is a must read for any serious Dodgers fan.



-Robert Timm
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