Al LaMacchia, a former big league pitcher and longtime scout who helped lay the foundation for the Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-93, died Wednesday at age 89. LaMacchia, who scouted most recently for the Dodgers, had a career that spanned eight decades working in the game.

LaMacchia made an impact on several organizations, working as a scout with the Braves from 1961-76 and being involved in the drafting and signing of Dale Murphy, Bruce Benedict and current Jays manager Cito Gaston. With the Jays, he's credited with helping bring in Dave Stieb and George Bell, and his signature move with the Dodgers was pushing for the acquisition of Andre Ethier in a trade.

In his own career, LaMacchia pitched 16 games in the majors from 1943-1946 with the St. Louis Browns, his hometown team, and the Washington Senators. He posted a 6.46 ERA in 30.2 innings and posted a 2-2 record.

The LaMacchia family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund." LaMacchia scouted and was involved in the signing of Coolbaugh, the late Jays farmhand and Rockies coach who died on the field in 2007.  Donations may be sent payable to “Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund” c/o the LaMacchia Family, 13515 Vista Bonita, San Antonio, Texas, 78216, or http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/news/tributes/mikecoolbaugh.js p.