Former Dodgers general manager Claire, who recruited Park Chan-ho and Nohmo, dies at age 91

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Dong-han = Former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire, who recruited Chan-ho Park and Hideo Nomo (Japan) and helped Asian players advance into the American professional baseball Major League (MLB), has passed away. Age 91.

Citing an announcement from the Dodgers team on the 6th (local time), the Associated Press reported that Claire passed away in Pasadena, California, USA on the 5th, her 91st birthday.

Claire is known to Korean fans as the person who helped Chan-ho Park advance into the United States.

As the Dodgers general manager, he recruited Park Chan-ho, then a second-year student at Hanyang University, for a contract fee of $1.2 million in 1994.

Chan-Ho Park became the first Korean player to play in the big leagues that year, and later developed into a key starting pitcher for the Dodgers.

Chan-ho Park, who spent 17 seasons in MLB from 1994 to 2010, recorded a career record of 124 wins and 98 losses and an ERA of 4.36. The 124 wins still remain the MLB record for most wins by an Asian pitcher.

Claire also helped Nomo join the Dodgers in 1995.

In his debut season, Nomo recorded 13 wins, 6 losses, an ERA of 2.54, and struck out 236, the most in the league, and was selected as National League Rookie of the Year.

His success opened the door for Japanese players to enter the MLB in earnest.

In this way, the Dodgers' tradition of recruiting Asian players continues to this day. Currently, Japanese players such as Shohei Otani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Rocky Sasaki, as well as Korea's Hye-Sung Kim are playing for the Dodgers.

Claire, a former sports reporter, joined the Dodgers' public relations department in 1969 and was promoted to vice president of public relations and promotions in 1975.

Then, in 1987, he took over as general manager after the previous general manager was fired due to a scandal over racist comments, and the following year, he led the Dodgers to their sixth World Series victory in seven years and overall.

The Dodgers rose to the top with a series record of 4 wins and 1 loss, and Claire was selected as ‘Manager of the Year’ by Sporting News that year.

However, after the club was transferred from the O'Malley family to Fox Entertainment Group in 1998, Clare's position was shaken.

When the new team owner traded catcher Mike Piazza without his knowledge, Clare protested and was eventually fired in June of that year.

Afterwards, he continued his relationship with baseball by working as an MLB.com columnist, radio host, and sports-related company advisor.

Claire, who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip in 2015, later experienced recurrence of the cancer in her jaw and neck and underwent surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

It is known that he, who had been fighting the disease for 11 years, has recently been receiving hospice care.

Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said on the 6th, "The deceased gave the club numerous victories, legendary players, and the 1988 World Series championship," and added, "We will be forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era."