HOT CORNER

A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it’s in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed.

*

What: “My 30 Years in Dodger Blue” by Fred Claire with Steve Springer.

Price: $24.95.

From sportswriter to assistant publicity director, to publicity director to general manager, Fred Claire for some 30 years was a key observer and participant in the unfolding drama that has been Dodger baseball.

In his autobiography, Claire covers those times, clearly relishing his involvement with the Dodgers in general and his relationship with former owner Peter O’Malley in particular.

He is not as complimentary to O’Malley’s successor as owner, News Corp., or to Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.

In recounting his days as Dodger GM, Claire was elevated to the post in the wake of the Al Campanis “Nightline” interview.

Claire goes into great detail about the controversial trade of Mike Piazza to the Florida Marlins in 1998, a deal orchestrated by Fox executives without his knowledge or consent. It was Claire’s refusal to say he had a part in the deal that eventually led to his firing by Fox.

Other tidbits in the book include details of a proposed deal to make Joe Morgan the manager of the Dodgers when Lasorda threatened to leave the team, the incident in which Rick Monday, then a Chicago Cub, saved the American flag from being burned when he snatched it away from two fans in the Dodger Stadium outfield, and the putting together of the 1988 World Series champion Dodgers, which included the free-agent signing of Kirk Gibson and a three-way deal with the Mets and A’s that landed reliever Jay Howell and shortstop Alfredo Griffin.

-- Gary Rubin