Extra Innings: Fred Claire’s Journey to City of Hope and Finding a World Championship Team by Tim Madigan (review)

This book is a biography of Fred Claire and his career in baseball. In addition to well-written tales of his time with the Dodgers, it tells the story of his journey with cancer treatment at the City of Hope. As a book, it is anecdotal, rich with quotes and detailed accounts of his career with the Dodgers as the public relations director, executive vice president, and finally general manager (GM). Over the thirty years with the team, the final position was the most abrupt and challenging. In the wake of Al Campanis’s intemperate remarks on national television in 1987, Claire was asked to take and accepted the position of GM with the proviso that he have total and complete responsibility for baseball operations. He later said that he needed to accept responsibility and accountability and not blame others. The many baseball stories reveal the character of Mr. Claire and his approach to every situation: “He is so committed to doing the right thing every day” (32).

The author uses the format of alternating Dodger or baseball story chapters with City of Hope or cancer treatment chapters. The shift between the two major themes, City of Hope and baseball, is somewhat abrupt during the book’s first half. The introduction to the City of Hope story is, at first, a surprise for the reader. As Claire’s health issues continue and his care moves to the City of Hope, the background and the mission of the City of Hope are revealed. This approach elevates the book from a pleasant retelling of Dodger stories to showing the intersection between Claire’s baseball career and his personal journeys. Claire’s personality and character are consistent across both hugely demanding commitments. It becomes possible to understand that the adversities and the necessary perseverance are very similar between Claire’s journeys with the Dodgers and the City of Hope. Quotes from Claire demonstrate the synergy between the two endeavors.

We all are tested, who we are is determined by how we handle the challenges.

(191)

What we can do together is profoundly more impactful than what we can do alone.

(199)

Cancer treatments are like the baseball season—you don’t win the pennant or lose it in a single day. You keep giving it your best every day, with focus and discipline. . . . It’s a matter of believing in the people around you who are doing their best to assist.

(68)

Today is all we really have.

(10; this after his third relapse)

The book’s last third covers Claire’s fundraising and community activities after he left the Dodgers and since his latest treatment to the present day. These activities are closely intertwined with his corporate and personal baseball relationships and his constant support for the City of Hope.

Baseball is the setting, deep and wide enough to tell these stories. The writer does an excellent job of transitioning between settings and describing the challenges of a demanding career and health condition. It is thought provoking that one story reinforces the message of the other. Baseball operations at the top are very complex, often not in the control of the person in the top job. Cancer treatment is also not in the control of the patient. Madigan tells the story of both journeys remarkably well by using Claire’s character, values, and personal commitments, all of which contribute to telling this inspiring story.