Overview
- The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that Todd Benzinger had died at age 63 and the team offered condolences to his family, former teammates and fans.
- Benzinger was drafted in 1981 by the Boston Red Sox, made his major league debut in 1987, joined the Reds before the 1989 season and retired from MLB in 1995 after stints with Kansas City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- His play that most fans remember came in 1990 when he caught the final out that completed Cincinnati’s four-game sweep to win the World Series.
- After his playing career he returned to the region as a coach and manager, including leading the Dayton Dragons in 2009 and 2010 and taking part in Reds Hall of Fame events and community programs.
- The Reds and the Reds Hall of Fame issued formal tributes while news accounts report no cause of death, and his passing is likely to prompt local remembrances and museum acknowledgments of his role in team history.