The Sports Info Business

Each week I feature a leader from the sports business and ask 10 questions.  Today, we visit with Fred Claire.

Long-time Major League Baseball executive Fred Claire worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1969 through 1998.  He began his baseball career as an assistant in the team’s public relations department and rose through the ranks until he was named the team’s general manager in 1987.  He served as the LA Dodgers GM when the team won the world series in 1988.  Claire, a native of Ohio, served as a reporter for the Long Beach Press Telegram prior to joining the organization.

Name:  Fred Claire

Title:   Columnist and analyst for MLB.com

Team/Organization:  Former executive with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1969 to 1998.

1. Describe your current  position and responsibilities. 

I currently serve as a columnist and analyst for MLB.com. I also do consulting work for two companies—SuiteCaptures.com and  Sportfolioinc.com. I’m also involved in a partnership with Ari Kaplan and our company offers analytical programs/solutions to Major League teams.

2. Tell us about your first job in sports.

My first paycheck related to sports came when I was a freshman in college and wrote a story for a feature writing class that was published by Baseball Magazine. The year was 1953 and the story was titled “Make Way for the Coast League.” My story was based on my belief that the Pacific Coast League—with teams in cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Diego and Oakland—could become a third Major League.

3. What was best advice ever received?

I can’t say for sure but I believe it’s the advice I give today to every person who asks about a career—FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

4. What sports memory are you most fond of telling to others?

I don’t make a point to talk about it, but my best memory was accepting the 1988 World Series trophy along with Dodger owner Peter O’Malley and manager Tommy Lasorda. It was great to have a role in representing our scouts and player development staff as well as the Major League staff.

5. Describe the area(s) of opportunity for growth in your business.

The opportunity for growth in baseball is tremendous and we will see more and more advancements in the world-wide development of the game.

6. What are the biggest challenges that face your business today?

My role is different today but I believe baseball faces the challenge of working closer with the players and also reaching out more to the fans of the game.

7. How do you see Major League Baseball doing business differently in these economic times? 

The primary point to understand is that BASEBALL IS A BUSINESS.  You start with this point and you need to understand that baseball has to react to tough economic times just like any other business. That may very well mean layoffs (the Arizona Diamondbacks, for one, had to cut back on their staff) and that means reduction of expenses in areas where management feels it can best reduce costs. There are agents reacting to this economic time as if management is trying to take advantage of players. I believe management is simply trying to make the best decisions possible. Teams will have to watch every dollar being spent because it does appear the economy is going to improve any time soon and its very likely that baseball will feel more economic pain as the upcoming season progresses.

8. How has this business changed in the last 5-10 years?

The change in baseball—like in all sports—has been dramatic but it’s just the beginning of the changes to come in the next three to five years and beyond. The changes in every way will be significant because our world is changing so rapidly.

9. What qualities have you always looked for when recruiting for senior leadership positions?

You want people who are dedicated to an organization and have shown these traits. You want people who have a real passion (that word again) for their jobs. You want people who set the example of their own work ethic that helps inspire others. And, above all, you want people who are willing to take responsibility. I once read a statement that the best way to help your boss is to totally understand what he is trying to accomplish and then give him all of the support you can in this direction. If you want a picture of good leadership I would recommend the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. It should be a must-read for everyone interested in the business world of sports. The only name from the sports world mentioned, to my knowledge, is John Wooden. I can’t think of a better name ,or a better man, to represent the very best in leadership.

10. Finish this sentence. If I had to do it all over again, I would start by…..

doing what I always have done—giving the very best of what I have to give to the company I represent. To be sure at the end of the day I can say  “That was the best I had to give.”

Anything else you wanted Share?

Follow you passion, give your very best and keep in mind that everything you do and everything you say has a good chance to become public one day—how will it look, how will it sound, how comfortable will you be with your words and with your actions.

————-

Fred Claire, along with Steve Springer, has published the Book “Fred Claire — My 30 Years in Dodger Blue.”

It is available at amazon.com