Al LaMacchia
From BR Bullpen
Alfred Anthony LaMacchia
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Weight 190 lb.
- Debut September 27, 1943
- Final Game June 29, 1946
- Born July 22, 1921 in St. Louis, MO USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Al LaMacchia is a legendary scout of 51 years experience who pitched 16 seasons 1939 to 1954, three in the Major Leagues and 16 in the minors and has scouted ever since.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II (GB). Scouted by Lou Maguolo, he pitched for the St. Louis Browns in 1943 and 1945 and the Browns and the Washington Senators in 1946. One of the most personable and knowledgable men in baseball, LaMacchia was 15-2 for San Antonio (Texas League) in 1942 but appeared in only 16 Major League games, mostly as a wartime reliever.
He scouted briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies before working for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves from 1961 to 1976. He was with the Toronto Blue Jays from their inception, and the Jays named LaMacchia and Bobby Mattick vice presidents in 1984. He now scouts for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His signees and discoveries include Rick Mahler, Bruce Benedict and Dale Murphy (FVP). Overall he scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies (1956-61), Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves (1961-76), Toronto Blue Jays (1976-1996) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1996-2003) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2003-present), scouting such players as Cito Gaston, Larvell Blanks, Ted Savage, Jim Breazeale, Jimmy Freeman, Adrian Devine, Jamie Easterly, Mike Beard, Mickey Mahler, Joey McLaughlin, Larry McWilliams, Willie Upshaw, Larry Whisenton, Rick Matula, Ken Smith, Jim Gott, George Bell, Lloyd Moseby, Dave Stieb, Andre Robertson, Jim Acker, David Wells and Mike Coolbaugh.
- LaMacchia is the focus of an article in the August 16, 2006 Los Angeles Times, largely because he was insistent that little-known minor-leaguer, Andre Ethier, would become a star. There's Trust in His Eyes
"Everyone thinks they do all these analyses before they make a trade, but, in the end, I'm a Dodger because of that crazy old man. I can't thank him enough." - Andre Ethier
