Todd Benzinger, 1990 World Series Champion, Dies at 63

Todd Benzinger, the first baseman who caught the final out of the 1990 World Series, died Wednesday at age 63.

The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that Todd Benzinger, a member of the 1990 World Series championship team, died on Wednesday at the age of 63. Benzinger is best remembered by the franchise for catching the final out to secure the 1990 title. He played for the Reds from 1989 to 1991 during a nine-season major league career.

Benzinger debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 1987 and later played for the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants before retiring in 1995. Following his playing career, he managed the Class-A Dayton Dragons from 2009 to 2010. He remained a frequent participant in team events, including the Reds Caravan, Reds Fantasy Camp, and the Reds Legends Remember program.

A graduate of New Richmond High School in Ohio, Benzinger continued to work with youth baseball in that community. Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, noted Benzinger’s ongoing contributions to the museum and his regular interaction with fans at Redsfest.