| Al LaMacchia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) (L-R) Rob Farmer,Lou Maguolo and LaMacchia (1946) | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1921-07-22)July 22, 1921 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| Died: September 15, 2010(2010-09-15) (aged 89) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 22, 1943, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 29, 1946, for the Washington Senators | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2-2 |
| Earned run average | 6.46 |
| Strikeouts | 7 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Alfred Anthony LaMacchia (July 22, 1921 – September 15, 2010) was an American professionalbaseball player andscout. He was a right-handed pitcher who spent 14 years in theminor leagues where he accumulated a record of 159–117 and spent parts of three seasons (1943, 1945–46) with theSt. Louis Browns andWashington Senators compiling a 2–2 record. After his playing career ended, LaMacchia spent six decades as a scout with thePhiladelphia Phillies,Atlanta Braves,Toronto Blue Jays,Tampa Bay Rays, andLos Angeles Dodgers, during which time he discovered dozens of players who made it to the major leagues.
LaMacchia was born inSt. Louis, Missouri, and served with theUnited States Army during World War II. He started his pitching career in the St. Louis Browns organization with the Class DParagould Browns in 1940, where he had a 16–7 record and worked his way up to the majors with a 15–5 record with the Class CSt. Joseph Autos in 1941 and a 15–16 record with the Class A1San Antonio Missions in 1942.[1] LaMacchia made his major league debut on September 27, 1943, with the Browns, pitching portions of three seasons (1943, 1945–46) as arelief pitcher with the Browns and Washington Senators, with a 2–2 career record, 6.46earned run average and sevenstrikeouts in30+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2] He returned to the minor leagues, playing for various teams and organizations until 1954.[1]
After completing his playing career, LaMacchia became a scout with the Phillies, Braves, Blue Jays, Devil Rays and Dodgers. LaMacchia eschewed the use of computers, radar guns and stop watches as scouting tools, saying "I trust my eyes... Been good so far".[3] He is credited with having scouted players includingGeorge Bell,Cito Gaston,Dale Murphy,Dave Stieb,Rocco Baldelli, andDavid Wells. He convinced Dodgers General ManagerNed Colletti to pursue outfielderAndre Ethier, who had been playing in theOakland A's organization. While with the Blue Jays he was a vice president when the team won back-to-back championships in the1992 World Series and1993 World Series.[3]
Pat Gillick, a scout for the New York Yankees, competed against LaMacchia for players in South Texas, mentioned LaMacchia during his induction speech at theNational Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2011. Gillick hired LaMacchia to work for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1976.[4]
He was signed by St. Louis Browns scoutLou Maguolo.[5]
LaMacchia died at age 89 on September 15, 2010, at his home inSan Antonio, Texas, after having experienced a stroke in the weeks before his death.[3]
· Baseball Almanac