Todd Benzinger, who caught the final out of the Reds' 1990 World Series, dies at 63

Todd Benzinger, the Cincinnati-area native who caught the final out of the Reds’ 1990 World Series sweep, has died. He was 63.

The Reds announced his death on Thursday, Oct. 22, and MLB.com reported that he died on Wednesday. “Todd will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history,” the team said in a statement quoted by USA TODAY. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, former teammates and all who knew and loved him.”

What was Todd Benzinger’s cause of death?

It has not been made public. Both MLB.com and USA TODAY reported that no cause of death was given.

His death appears to have been unexpected. Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin, his teammate for three seasons and now a Reds broadcaster, told MLB.com: “I saw him at an event this past summer in Cincinnati and he looked good. It’s kind of a shock out of nowhere. I know he’s got some young kids, so I feel really bad for his family.”

The catch Reds fans remember

On Oct. 20, 1990, in Game 4 of the World Series, Benzinger ranged well behind first base into foul territory to catch Carney Lansford’s popup for the final out, MLB.com recalled. It finished a four-game sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics. That remains Cincinnati’s most recent championship.

That season, Benzinger was a right-handed-hitting first baseman who platooned with left-handed hitter Hal Morris on a Reds team that led the National League West wire to wire.

His career

According to MLB.com and USA TODAY:

• Born in Dayton, Kentucky, and raised in New Richmond, Ohio, he was a fourth-round pick of the Boston Red Sox out of high school in 1981.
• He debuted with Boston in 1987 and played two seasons there before a five-player trade that sent third baseman Nick Esasky to Boston brought him to Cincinnati.
• In 1989, his first season as an everyday player, he hit .245 with career highs of 17 home runs and 76 RBIs.
• After the title, the Reds traded him to Kansas City. He later played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and two seasons with the San Francisco Giants before retiring after 1995.
• Over nine seasons he hit .257 with 66 home runs, 376 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Life after playing

Benzinger stayed close to the Reds and to Cincinnati. He managed the Dayton Dragons, then the Reds’ Class A affiliate, in 2009 and 2010, and MLB.com reported that he often coached youth baseball and regularly appeared at Reds Caravan, Redsfest, fantasy camp and Reds Hall of Fame events.

Larkin remembered him as “a super nice guy” and “a steady, consistent contributor.” “There was no craziness about him,” Larkin said. “He fit in well with the team. Just a really good, solid guy.”

Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement that Benzinger “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.”

FAQ

How old was Todd Benzinger? He was 63.

What team did Todd Benzinger win a World Series with? The 1990 Cincinnati Reds.

How did Todd Benzinger die? No cause of death has been disclosed.