Former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire, who spent nearly three decades with the organization, died Monday in Pasadena on his 91st birthday.

Claire's career with the Dodgers stretched from the organization's public relations department to the general manager's office, where he helped oversee one of the most memorable championship seasons in franchise history.

Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten remembered Claire as an important figure in the organization's history and credited him with helping bring victories, legendary players and the 1988 World Series championship to Los Angeles.

Claire was born in Jamestown, Ohio, before his family moved to Torrance, Calif., when he was 15. He graduated from Torrance High School and later earned his bachelor's degree from San Jose State University.

Claire began his professional career as a sportswriter during the late 1950s and 1960s. His first connection to the Dodgers came in 1969, when the Long Beach Press-Telegram assigned him to cover the team's Spring Training operations in Vero Beach, Fla.

That assignment eventually changed the course of his career.

Claire joined the Dodgers' public relations department later that year and steadily moved through the organization. By 1975, he had risen to vice president of public relations.

His experience in communications gave Claire an unusual path toward baseball's front office. Rather than beginning his career in scouting or baseball operations, he developed his understanding of the organization while working closely with players, coaches, executives and the media.

Claire became the Dodgers' general manager in 1987 and held the position through 1998.

One of his most significant contributions came before the 1988 season, when the Dodgers added veteran players including Kirk Gibson. Those moves helped reshape a team that would go on to win the World Series over the Oakland Athletics.

Gibson became one of the defining figures of that championship run, while the Dodgers' pitching staff and veteran leadership helped Los Angeles overcome the heavily favored Athletics in five games.

The championship came during Claire's second season as general manager and became the defining achievement of his executive career.

Claire's transition from sportswriter to general manager also represented a notable rise within the Dodgers organization. His long history with the franchise provided him with an understanding of the team's culture and operations before he assumed responsibility for baseball decisions.

Claire remained connected to the Dodgers long after his tenure as general manager ended. His career represented nearly three decades of service to the organization, spanning multiple roles and eras of Dodgers baseball.

His legacy is closely tied to the 1988 championship, but his influence extended beyond that season. Claire spent years helping shape the organization, first through its public relations department and later from the general manager's office.

Claire is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and his children, Jeff, Jennifer and Kim. Funeral arrangements are pending.