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Summary: Behind the Scenes Look At Dodger Business
Review: If you are looking for a book that describes the business side of baseball with lots of personal experiences and honesty, this is one of the best. As a lifelong Dodger fan, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and re-living many of the great Dodger moments through Mr. Claire's eyes and work. Fred Claire is a first-class G.M. and his ethical, honest way of doing business is sorely missed in today's game.
Fox Baseball made a huge blunder when they fired him from his position. But as you will see, Fred Claire's personal beliefs and moral compass were too much for the idiotic "don't know nothin about baseball" folks at Fox.
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Summary: Fred Claire Shares His Incredible Story
Review: If you love baseball and would like to know the inside story of one of the greatest franchises in the history of Major League Baseball, Fred Claire's wonderful book, 'My 30 Years In Dodger Blue' is for you. The incredible story of his career path from sportswriter to General Manager, is fascinating. His anecdotes of the great Dodgers players of his era and behind the scenes negotiations with agents and other general managers is riveting.The lessons learned from this outstanding book are extremely valuable. Claire did his job for 30 years with diligence and integrity, something I will try to emulate in both my personal life and professional career. In fact, the book was so excellent, I bought one for myself and another as a gift!!!
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Summary: A Must Have for LA Dodgers Fans
Review: Just finished Fred Claire's book and will read it again. The reader gains an insider's perspective on the goings-on within the LA Dodgers organization from 1969 thru the Piazza trade. Fred Claire is a class-act. I have always been impressed with him. I am even more impressed with him after reading the book. He does not trash the Fox regime. He is even complimentary of Chase Carey (every blue-blooded Dodgers fan I know curses upon hearing the name Chase Carey). However, the book clearly demonstrates that Claire is no pushover. There are several instances that demonstrate his candor and leadership abilities. I especially appreciated the chapter describing in detail Claire's handling of Hideo Nomo in June 1998. This book is very worthwhile and enjoyable. BUY IT!
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Summary: A Must Have for LA Dodgers Fans
Review: Just finished Fred Claire's book and will read it again. The reader gains an insider's perspective on the goings-on within the LA Dodgers organization from 1969 thru the Piazza trade. Fred Claire is a class-act. I have always been impressed with him. I am even more impressed with him after reading the book. He does not trash the Fox regime. He is even complimentary of Chase Carey (every blue-blooded Dodgers fan I know curses upon hearing the name Chase Carey). However, the book clearly demonstrates that Claire is no pushover. There are several instances that demonstrate his candor and leadership abilities. I especially appreciated the chapter describing in detail Claire's handling of Hideo Nomo in June 1998. This book is very worthwhile and enjoyable. BUY IT!
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Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This is a terrific, honest account of what Dodger Blue was like during Fred's carrer with the Dodgers. There have always headlines, good and bad, associated with the Dodgers throuout the years, and this is a first hand account of all of them, dating back to the 60's.
Mr. Claire, in my opinion, was a great General Manager. Sure, some of the trades didn't work out. But most of them did, and he handled all of them with class, professionalism, and the best interest of the team and fans.
Any Dodger fan would enjoy reading this book - I highly recommend it.
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Summary: A great book for Dodger fans
Review: This is an excellent book. I think all baseball fans will enjoy it, but it will appeal especially to Dodger fans. I've been a Dodger fan all my life, and this book brought back a lot of memories some good and some not so great. I must admit that I remembered Fred mostly for his trading away Pedro Martinez and John Wettland,but this book reminded me of all the good decisions he made such as putting together the team that won the championship in 1988, getting Mickey Hatcher,Alfredo Griffin,John Shelby Kirk Gibson and others. He talks of his early years as a writer then goes into how he started with the Dodgers, and his years as General Manager, then goes into Fox buying the team. I learned alot about Fred Claire and others in the organization this book was a very easy and enjoyable read and made me realize how much class Fred has and how he really seemed to care about those who worked for him, and for the Dodger organization.
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Summary: Fred Claire: Dodger Blue Personified
Review: This is one of the best books for fans of the Dodgers or baseball. If you watched baseball in the 1980's and 1990's, you probably remember Fred Claire as Mr. Dodger. He was the figure of class and dignity that became the face of the Dodgers. From pre-Curt Flood to post 1994 strike and beyond, Claire was a part of the Dodgers organization. The book details how Claire got his start in baseball. He began working as a beat writer before taking the position of Director of Publicity with the Dodgers. In 1987, long-time general manager Al Campanis's gave some unfortunate remarks on ABC's Nightline. Within days, Campanis's hand picked successor was Claire. The book gives many fascinating details about long-time Dodger managers Walt Alston and Tommy Lasorda. There are a couple great sections on trades and free agent signings by the Dodgers during Claire's tenure. Needless to say once I started the book, I could not put it down. The one thing I noticed throughout the book was how Claire handled every situation good or bad with class. Things ran smoothly for so many years for the Dodgers organization. Trade and contract negotiations were held behind closed doors instead of in the media. From the man who drove Claire to the airport to Mr. O'Malley, everyone was treated the same. The latter fourth of the book details the events leading up to Claire's dismissal from the new Fox Dodgers. The Mike Piazza trade and his final trade involving Hideo Nomo. From working as a beat reporter to General Manager of the Dodgers to working for the new Dodger owners Fox. Claire handled every situation with humility and grace. Claire's story is a must read for anyone looking to get into the game or simply wanting to know more about the inner workings of a Major League Baseball team. By the end of the book, you will feel like you know Fred Claire. And, if that's the closest you get to the man than you are a lucky person.
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Summary: Fred Claire: Dodger Blue Personified
Review: This is one of the best books for fans of the Dodgers or baseball. If you watched baseball in the 1980's and 1990's, you probably remember Fred Claire as Mr. Dodger. He was the figure of class and dignity that became the face of the Dodgers. From pre-Curt Flood to post 1994 strike and beyond, Claire was a part of the Dodgers organization. The book details how Claire got his start in baseball. He began working as a beat writer before taking the position of Director of Publicity with the Dodgers. In 1987, long-time general manager Al Campanis's gave some unfortunate remarks on ABC's Nightline. Within days, Campanis's hand picked successor was Claire. The book gives many fascinating details about long-time Dodger managers Walt Alston and Tommy Lasorda. There are a couple great sections on trades and free agent signings by the Dodgers during Claire's tenure. Needless to say once I started the book, I could not put it down. The one thing I noticed throughout the book was how Claire handled every situation good or bad with class. Things ran smoothly for so many years for the Dodgers organization. Trade and contract negotiations were held behind closed doors instead of in the media. From the man who drove Claire to the airport to Mr. O'Malley, everyone was treated the same. The latter fourth of the book details the events leading up to Claire's dismissal from the new Fox Dodgers. The Mike Piazza trade and his final trade involving Hideo Nomo. From working as a beat reporter to General Manager of the Dodgers to working for the new Dodger owners Fox. Claire handled every situation with humility and grace. Claire's story is a must read for anyone looking to get into the game or simply wanting to know more about the inner workings of a Major League Baseball team. By the end of the book, you will feel like you know Fred Claire. And, if that's the closest you get to the man than you are a lucky person.
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Summary: Great book, excellent history, honest, dramatic and fun
Review: Unlike the typical self-aggrandizing sports memoir, this one puts a very honest face on a 30-year career that spanned enormous changes in baseball, good and bad. Consider that when Claire joined the Dodgers, Steinbrenner had not yet bought the Yankees--for $10 million. And, when Claire left the Dodgers after Fox bought the team, that was a decent salary for one top player for one year. He does not spare himself in terms of a hard look at the record, including great trades made, and not made. The book has dramatic moments, including dealing with the drug addiction of Maury Wills and Darryl Strawberry, or the legendary Kirk Gibson home run, and funny ones, as in what player stole the wheels from Walter O'Malley's golf cart in spring training? For most fans, who sit in the stands as armchair GM's, this is a look at how that job is really done...
Rating:
Summary: Great book, excellent history, honest, dramatic and fun
Review: Unlike the typical self-aggrandizing sports memoir, this one puts a very honest face on a remarkable 30-year career that spanned enormous changes in baseball, for better and worse. Consider that when Claire joined the Dodgers, Steinbrenner had not yet bought the Yankees--for $10 million. And, when Claire left the Dodgers after Fox bought the team, that was a decent salary for one top player for one year. He does not spare himself in terms of a hard and analytical look at the record, including great trades made, and some not made. The book has many dramatic moments, including dealing with the drug addiction of Maury Wills and Darryl Strawberry, or the legendary Kirk Gibson home run, and funny ones, as in what player stole the wheels from Walter O'Malley's golf cart in spring training? For most fans, who sit in the stands as armchair GM's, this is a look at how that job is really done, and done well.
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