Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Todd Benzinger, the local player who caught the final out of the team’s 1990 World Series championship, died Wednesday, October 21 at age 63.
The Reds announced the news Thursday. No cause of death was released. Benzinger played nine seasons in the majors from 1987 to 1995, with three of those years spent in a Cincinnati uniform.
In a statement, the club said Benzinger “will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history.” The team extended condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.
Benzinger was born Feb. 11, 1963, in Dayton, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. He grew up in New Richmond, Ohio, and graduated from New Richmond High School before the Boston Red Sox selected him in the fourth round of the 1981 draft.
He made his major league debut with Boston on June 21, 1987. After two seasons with the Red Sox, Cincinnati acquired him in a five-player trade in December 1988 that sent Nick Esasky to Boston. The deal returned the switch-hitting first baseman to his home area.
Benzinger opened the 1989 season as the Reds’ everyday first baseman. In his first at-bat as a Red on Opening Day, his RBI single ended Orel Hershiser’s record streak of 59 consecutive scoreless innings. He appeared in 161 games that year, led the National League with 628 at-bats and posted career highs of 17 home runs and 76 RBIs while batting .245.
The following season he shared first base in a platoon with Hal Morris on a Reds team that went wire-to-wire to the National League West title. Benzinger hit .253 in 118 games. He started at first base in Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 20, 1990, and ranged into foul territory to catch Carney Lansford’s popup for the final out. The play completed a four-game sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics and gave Cincinnati its most recent championship.
Over his full career Benzinger appeared in 924 games and finished with a .257 batting average, .301 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage. He collected 733 hits, 66 home runs and 376 RBIs in 3,106 plate appearances. In three seasons with the Reds he batted .241 with 23 home runs and 133 RBIs.
Playing time dwindled in 1991 and Benzinger asked for a trade. Cincinnati sent him to the Kansas City Royals that July. He later played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent his final three big-league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, appearing in his last game on May 14, 1995.
After retiring as a player, Benzinger stayed tied to the Reds organization. He managed the club’s Class-A Dayton Dragons affiliate in 2009 and 2010. He also coached the girls basketball team at Loveland High School from 2006 to 2008 and remained active in youth baseball around New Richmond.
Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, noted Benzinger’s regular involvement in events such as the Reds Caravan, Fantasy Camp, Legends Remember program and Redsfest.
“Todd will forever be remembered by Reds fans for catching the final out of the 1990 World Series, but those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will remember so much more,” Walls said. “Todd remained close to the Cincinnati community and was a tremendous friend to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, generously participating in our events and sharing his time with fans. We will miss his friendship, his kindness and his presence in our community.”
Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, a three-year teammate, recalled Benzinger as a steady presence.
“He was always a hard worker, not real loud. Just about doing his business. He was just a steady, consistent contributor. There was no craziness about him. He fit in well with the team. Just a really good, solid guy,” Larkin said.
Benzinger received the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award in 1991. The organization and fans continue to honor his role in the franchise’s last championship.
