Todd Benzinger, the Greater Cincinnati native who secured the final out of the Reds’ 1990 World Series title, died on Wednesday at 63.
The Reds announced his passing Thursday. No cause of death was revealed.
Barry Larkin, Benzinger’s teammate for three seasons, said he had seen him at an event in Cincinnati this past summer and was stunned by the news.
"I saw him at an event this past summer in Cincinnati and he looked good. It's kind of a shock out of nowhere," Hall of Fame shortstop and team broadcaster Barry Larkin, Benzinger's teammate for three seasons, told MLB.com. "I know he's got some young kids, so I feel really bad for his family."
Benzinger was born in Dayton, Ky., and raised in New Richmond, Ohio. The Red Sox took him in the fourth round of the 1981 MLB Draft, and he went on to play nine seasons in the majors from 1987-95 with Boston, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
His time with the Reds from 1989-91 is where he became part of franchise history. A right-handed-hitting first baseman, he shared the position with lefty Hal Morris on the 1990 club that stayed in first place from start to finish before sweeping the heavily favored Athletics in the World Series.
The defining image came on Oct. 20, 1990, when Benzinger drifted far behind first base in foul territory and hauled in Carney Lansford’s popup to end Game 4. Cincinnati has not won another championship since.
Larkin remembered him as a dependable presence with a low-key style.
"He was a super nice guy," Larkin added. "He was always a hard worker, not real loud.
Just about doing his business. He was just a steady, consistent contributor.
There was no craziness about him. He fit in well with the team.
Just a really good, solid guy."
Even after his playing days, Benzinger stayed close to the Reds. He was a regular at team events such as Reds Caravan, Redsfest, fantasy camp and Hall of Fame programs.
He also managed at Dayton from 2009-10, when the club served as Cincinnati’s Single-A affiliate, and remained in the area while coaching youth baseball.
“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," said Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, in a statement.
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