Todd Benzinger, a major league first baseman and outfielder who caught the final out of Cincinnati’s 1990 World Series sweep, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the age of 63. The Cincinnati Reds announced his passing Thursday morning, though the club did not release a cause of death.
Benzinger spent nine years in Major League Baseball, logging parts of three seasons with his hometown Reds from 1989 to 1991. His most iconic moment on the diamond came on Oct. 20, 1990, when he squeezed a foul popup to clinch Game 4 against the Oakland Athletics, securing Cincinnati’s most recent World Series crown.
The Reds organization expressed deep sorrow in a statement released Thursday, stating that Benzinger “will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history.” The team offered condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.
A Local Standout Turned Big Leaguer
Born in Dayton, Kentucky, Benzinger grew up near Cincinnati and graduated from New Richmond High School in Clermont County, Ohio. The Boston Red Sox selected him in the fourth round of the 1981 amateur draft, and he reached the majors with Boston in 1987.
In late 1988, Boston traded Benzinger, pitcher Jeff Sellers and a player to be named later to Cincinnati in exchange for Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy. The move brought Benzinger back to his home region, where he immediately became a fixture in the lineup.
During his first campaign with Cincinnati in 1989, Benzinger led the National League with 628 at-bats and belted a career-high 17 home runs. That season, he also halted Los Angeles Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser’s record-setting 59-inning scoreless streak during Hershiser’s initial start of the year.
Benzinger remained a key contributor during the championship season of 1990, hitting .253 with five home runs over 408 plate appearances while handling first base and outfield duties.
Journeyman Career and Community Roots
Cincinnati traded Benzinger to the Kansas City Royals during the 1991 season in exchange for outfielder Carmelo Martínez. Benzinger later played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants before concluding his major league career in 1995.
After stepping away from playing, Benzinger stayed heavily involved in athletics across southwestern Ohio. He coached high school girls’ basketball at Loveland High School from 2006 to 2008 and returned to professional baseball to manage the Dayton Dragons, the Reds’ Class A affiliate, during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He also supported youth sports programs in New Richmond.
Athletic roots ran deep in his household. His son, Grant Benzinger, played college basketball at Wright State after attending Moeller High School. His brother, Brian Benzinger, led the New Richmond High School baseball program for two decades, capturing a dozen league titles.
Enduring Ties to Cincinnati
Benzinger remained an active presence around the Reds franchise long after hanging up his uniform. He frequently attended Redsfest, supported the Reds Community Fund, joined the Reds Caravan and appeared at the Reds Legends Remember program.
“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,” Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement.
Walls praised Benzinger’s consistent willingness to meet fans and participate in charitable efforts, saying the community would miss his kindness and friendship. Benzinger had served as a costume judge at the museum’s Halloween event in 2025 and was on the schedule to attend this year’s gathering on Oct. 24.
Information regarding memorial arrangements has not yet been announced.
