Al LaMacchia, a scout for six decades who recommended to Dodger general manager Ned Colletti to acquire Andre Ethier from Oakland in 2005, has passed away at the age of 89.
“Al was the epitome of a baseball scout. He loved the game and the people in it. I admired that he blended his love for baseball with his love of family," Colletti said, “Many times I saw Al with his wife Ann at the baseball stops along the road. That is a rarity, but Al was not going to sacrifice one love for another.”
LaMacchia was a big league pitcher for the Browns and Senators during World War II, and also pitched in the minor leagues for parts of 14 seasons. Among the many players he scouted and/or signed were Dale Murphy, George Bell, Dave Steib, and David Wells. He joined the Dodgers in 2003.
LaMacchia was born on July 22, 1921 in St. Louis , MO and is survived by his wife, Ann, daughter Rozanna and son, Michael, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.