Column: Newspaper job in Pomona led Fred Claire to Dodgers

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I interview Fred Claire, the former Dodgers executive who got his start at the Pomona Progress-Bulletin as sports writer and editor, for Sunday’s column.

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  • SAWZ

    In my early life I was a Dodgers fanatic. The 1978 World Series was between the Dodgers and Yankees. An official with my employer at the time was a client of Mrs. Claire who sold real estate. He got several world services tickets via that connection. My boss, via his connection to that official, received sets of two tickets each for games six and game seven to be played at Dodger Stadiium. I received them and probably had to pay something–I can’t remember. My parents lived in Homeland at the time. The four of us, parents and my husband and me,
    always went to the games together. I had to make a decision about which set of tickets to give my parents and which set to use for me and my husband. My father’s birthday was on October 17, so of course I gave my parents the tickets to game six. They went and had a fabulous time–the Dodgers lost. That was the game that decided the championship, so I did not get to use my tickets. I am still proud to this day that I have that memory–I sent my dad to the World Series on his birthday.

    • davidallen909

      That was a generous gift — and a worthy self-sacrifice on your part.

  • DebB

    I remember Fred Claire as the Dodger’s manager, but had never heard about his newspaper or public relations background. I also remember the Union 76 “Think Blue” sticker. I’m glad he wrote to you, and I’m glad you write this article – thanks!

    • davidallen909

      You’re welcome, Deb.