Todd Benzinger, the first baseman who recorded the final out of the Cincinnati Reds' 1990 World Series sweep, died Wednesday at age 63. The cause of death has not been released.
Born in the Cincinnati area, Benzinger entered professional baseball after the Boston Red Sox selected him out of high school in 1981. Following two years with Boston, the Reds acquired him before the 1989 season. His defining career moment arrived on Oct. 20, 1990, when he caught a game-ending fly ball in foul territory against the Oakland Athletics, securing what remains Cincinnati's most recent championship title.
The Reds posted a tribute on X, stating that Benzinger will be remembered with affection and gratitude for his role in one of the most memorable chapters in team history. The organization offered its deepest condolences to his family, friends, former teammates, and all who knew him.
Benzinger's time with Cincinnati ended after the 1990 season when the team traded him to the Kansas City Royals in 1991. He retired following the 1995 season, concluding a nine-year major league career with a .257 batting average, 733 hits, and 376 RBIs across 924 games.
After leaving the majors, Benzinger remained involved in local baseball. He managed the Dayton Dragons, Cincinnati's Class-A affiliate, from 2009 to 2010. Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, noted that while fans remember Benzinger for the 1990 World Series final out, those who knew him personally recall his broader character.
Walls described Benzinger as a tremendous friend to the Hall of Fame and Museum who generously participated in events and shared his time with fans. Walls added that the community will miss Benzinger's friendship, kindness, and presence.
For many Reds supporters, the image of Benzinger's glove reaching into foul territory at the Oakland Coliseum remains the definitive visual of Cincinnati's crowning baseball moment.