The Kansas City Royals announced Fischer’s death. Fischer spent the past eight years as senior pitching advisor for the team after serving as the team’s pitching coordinator from 2007-10.

“His contributions were immense,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement. “He was as impactful as any staff member that we’ve ever had. His mind was so sharp. I was with him Monday, and he was still talking about the players and the team and how we’re going to be good again in a couple of years. Everyone loved his input.”

Fischer, who was involved in baseball for 71 years, holds the major league record for most consecutive innings without a walk. He set the mark in 1962 when he went 84 and a third innings without issuing a free pass while he was a member of the Kansas City Athletics.

Overall, Fischer went 45-58 with a 4.34 ERA in 281 career appearances (78 starts) over nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1956-58), Detroit Tigers (1958, 1960-61), Washington Senators (1958-60), the Athletics (1961-63), and Minnesota Twins (1964).

He served as a major league pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds (1979-83), Boston Red Sox (1985-91), and Tampa Bay Rays (2000-01).

Longtime Royals outfielder Alex Gordon said he will miss Fischer.

“What a great mentor for the Royals and the game of baseball he was,” Gordon said through the Royals. “He was always a joy to be around every day and he is going to be missed by all of us with the Royals. Every day he would come up to me with a smile on his face and a handshake and ask me something about Nebraska athletics. He was a wonderful man.”