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Ralph Avila Passes Away

By Anthony Franco | January 30, 2023 at 11:25pm CDT

Longtime Dodgers scout Ralph Avila passed away on Monday, according to multiple reports. He was 92 years old.

Avila, the father of former Tigers general manager Al Avila and grandfather of longtime MLB catcher Alex Avila, was first hired by the Dodgers in 1970 as a scout in Latin America. As Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register notes, Ralph Avila was the signing scout when L.A. first landed Pedro Martínez as an amateur out of the Dominican Republic. The Hall of Fame right-hander was one of a number of players Avila brought into the organization over a scouting career that lasted three decades.

Part of a group that helped found the rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 1985, Avila also helped organize the Dodgers’ academy in the Dominican Republic. He retired as a scout in 1999 but remained an advisor to the Los Angeles organization for more than two decades thereafter. Avila was on staff as an advisor to the Dodgers’ scouting department as recently as 2021 and was the first recipient of Major League Baseball’s International Scout of the Year award in 2006.

MLBTR sends our condolences to Avila’s family, friends, loved ones and former colleagues.

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25 Comments

  1. Guybird

    2 years ago

    One of the unsung legends that helped bring a wealth of incredible talent into Major League Baseball

    18
    Reply
    • LordD99

      2 years ago

      He probably deserves a spot in the non-players corridor in Cooperstown.

      3
      Reply
      • joefriday1948

        2 years ago

        Condolences to Ralph’s family and his cherished legacy

        1
        Reply
    • GASoxFan

      2 years ago

      One of the many who give so much to make the game possible, and yet, so few stop to think about or understand it.

      When you stop and think of all the travel, all the young players he would’ve watched through the years, and the toll that would take on a person and their relationships with friends and family around them (especially in the pre-smart phone days)… he gave so much of, and in, his life for love of the game, so thank you Mr. Avila and R-I-P..

      5
      Reply
      • LordD99

        2 years ago

        @GA, yes, well said.

        Reply
  2. CrikesAlready

    2 years ago

    A lot of people heard his name as Vin Scully, Rick Monday and Don Drysdale used to refer to him…

    8
    Reply
  3. Batman150

    2 years ago

    Rest in peace

    2
    Reply
  4. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    2 years ago

    Someone should have worked with him to write a book about his experiences. So many interesting stories to be told.

    12
    Reply
    • blueblood1217

      2 years ago

      Great idea Manny. That would have been a great read

      3
      Reply
    • GarryHarris

      2 years ago

      You get my thumbs up. Perhaps all those who obnoxiously correct everyone else’s grammar (and get my automatic block) could make themselves useful and do just that.

      1
      Reply
  5. BeansforJesus

    2 years ago

    Crazy how he and then by some crazy coincidence his children became baseball executives.

    Must be something in the genes.

    3
    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      2 years ago

      The strength of those genes got diluted over the generations, however. But my condolences go out to the Avila family over the loss of their patriarch.

      Reply
  6. Raysasineppswasplanted

    2 years ago

    The Spanish pronunciation is Ávila but I liked how the Great Vin Scully pronounced it: A-veela…Long life and watching his descendants walk the path that he walked before them should have been rewarding. Farewell Mr. A-veela

    7
    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      2 years ago

      I thought it is Avee ya?

      Reply
      • the lurking ecologist

        2 years ago

        AH vee la in Spanish. You need double ell for the y sound (Avilla) but in some Latin American places the y sound is pronounced more like an English j (Ah vee jah). True in Puerto Rico but can’t remember if so in the DR.

        1
        Reply
  7. 1974nlmvp

    2 years ago

    A legend. He began working with The Dodgers in 1970, and was the protagonist in the establishment of many baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, including the first of all “Las Palmas”. Known as “The Super Scout”, he’s responsible for the signing of a lot of talents that include Pedro Martínez, Rick Rhoden, Ramón Martínez, Mariano Duncan, Alejandro Peña, Candy Maldonado y Henry Rodríguez.
    RIP.

    4
    Reply
  8. 1974nlmvp

    2 years ago

    RIP Rafael Ávila.

    1
    Reply
  9. stubby66

    2 years ago

    Our condolences to the family. Opened a door for many young people.

    1
    Reply
  10. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    2 years ago

    My condolences to Al and the Avila family.

    Reply
  11. warnbeeb

    2 years ago

    Despite his son, Al’s poor experience as Detroit’s GM, the Avilas are baseball royalty. RIP Ralph Avila.

    Reply
  12. DarrenDreifortsContract

    2 years ago

    RIP Legend!

    Reply
  13. Frankie Bani

    2 years ago

    Loved in Dominican Republic RIP

    1
    Reply
  14. all in the suit that you wear

    2 years ago

    RIP

    Reply
  15. bilko20

    2 years ago

    He and Mike Brito were the best !

    Reply
  16. bilko20

    2 years ago

    He and Mike Brito were the best .

    Reply

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