Former LA Dodgers GM and Executive VP Fred Claire Speaks at Thomas Jefferson School of Law

SAN DIEGO, CA, 7/13/16 - Former LA Dodgers GM and Executive VP Fred Claire spoke at Thomas Jefferson School of Law on Monday, July 11, 2016, for a program entitled "All-Star Discussion: A Look at the Past and Future of America's Pastime."

Fred Claire was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' front office for 30 years and was selected as baseball's "Executive of the Year" when the team won the World Series in 1988.

Claire currently serves as the chairman of the baseball analytics company Scoutables and has served as an instructor in the sports management area at Caltech, USC and Long Beach State in addition to an active role in community programs.

During the discussion, Fred Claire discussed the growth of the game and how he got involved with baseball and the Dodgers in 1969 as a writer and public relations professional.

The fifty plus attendees, a mix of judges, attorneys, law students, and former baseball executives, enjoyed Claire's stories and insights from the game.

Fred Claire specifically mentioned that he was an advisor to the growth of baseball in New Zealand and how Disney, General Electric, and Microsoft are examples of companies that are either growing the game through technology and media or as examples of where Major League Baseball should follow.

When speaking of former Dodgers Owner Walter O'Malley, he remembered a writer who once asked O'Malley how much he would pay Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax seeing how valuable he was to the team. O'Malley responded, "He would be my partner."

"At last," said Claire in thinking about that line of questioning and O'Malley's answer. The owners got it in terms of making players more like partners versus labor in looking toward working together to grow the game versus growing disputes.

Claire closed the discussion with a terrific National Anthem story about Frank Sinatra.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law Center for Sports Law & Policy Director Jeremy Evans '11 said, "It was an honor to have a person of Fred's caliber and character join us and offer his insights to the students."

Federalist Society representative and attorney Bob Gaglione commended Fred on his speech and presentation on the game, its past and future.

This event was organized by the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Center for Sports Law and Policy and co-sponsored by Scoutables and The Federalist Society.


Thomas Jefferson School of Law offers a comprehensive legal education to a nationally-based, diverse student body. The non-profit law school is consistently ranked as one of the most diverse law schools in the nation, with 52 percent of its most recent class being students of color. Located in Downtown San Diego, Thomas Jefferson Law has evolved into an innovative, cutting-edge law school, devoted to the individual needs and success of its students. More information is available at www.tjsl.edu.

CONTACT: Thomas Jefferson School of Law Director of Marketing and Communications Edgar Hopida, 619-961-4314 or 619-913-0719, ehopida@tjsl.edu