Todd Benzinger, the Greater Cincinnati native whose name is forever tied to the Reds’ 1990 World Series title, died on Wednesday at 63.
The Reds announced his passing on Thursday. No cause of death was disclosed.
For Cincinnati fans, Benzinger’s place in franchise history comes down to one moment that still lands with the force of a finishing blow: Oct. 20, 1990.
In Game 4 of the World Series, he drifted well behind first base and into foul territory to haul in Carney Lansford’s popup for the final out. That catch sealed the championship in a four-game sweep of the heavily favored Athletics and remains the Reds’ last title.
Benzinger, born in Dayton, Ky., and raised in New Richmond, Ohio, reached the big leagues after being taken by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 1981 MLB Draft. His major league career stretched nine seasons, from 1987 through 1995, and included stops with Boston, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
His most meaningful run came with his hometown club from 1989-91, when he shared first base duties with left-handed hitter Hal Morris on the 1990 team. That Reds club went wire-to-wire to win the National League West before finishing off Oakland in the World Series.
Barry Larkin, Benzinger’s teammate for three seasons, said the news hit hard. “I saw him at an event this past summer in Cincinnati and he looked good.
It's kind of a shock out of nowhere," Larkin told MLB.com. "I know he's got some young kids, so I feel really bad for his family.”
Larkin also remembered Benzinger as the kind of teammate every club wants around. “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 ended, Benzinger stayed close to the Reds. He regularly appeared at team functions such as Reds Caravan, Redsfest, fantasy camp and programs at the Reds Hall of Fame.
He also spent 2009-10 as manager at Dayton, then the Reds’ Single-A affiliate, and remained in the Cincinnati area while coaching youth baseball.
Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, said in a statement, “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."
In Other News...
Oregon Suddenly Faces A Costly UCLA Recruiting Battle
Oregons win over Nebraska gave the Ducks a timely boost on the recruiting trail, the kind of result that can help reinforce momentum with prospects watching closely. But on the West Coast, UCLA has quickly become a program Oregon has to deal with head-on, especially after the Bruins beat the Ducks and kept pressing for recruits the Ducks would like to lock up.
Linebacker commit Toa Satele is set to visit UCLA, adding another layer to a battle that already has Oregon working to hold its ground. Quarterback recruit Josiah Boyd is also nearing a decision, with his timeline moved up to Oct. 24, and the Ducks are still in the mix alongside UCLA and Kentucky as they try to land a high-profile passer in a tougher recruiting landscape. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Fans Have A New Freshman To Believe In Right Away
Nikola Kusturica wasted no time making his presence felt in his first UCLA appearance, giving Bruins fans an early look at why there is so much buzz around the 17-year-old Serbian freshman. In an exhibition game against Cal Baptist, he brought the kind of energy and defensive activity that fits right into Mick Cronins blueprint, with his length, motor and instincts immediately standing out in a setting that was supposed to be more about getting comfortable than turning heads.
For a program looking to build momentum heading into the new season, that kind of debut matters. UCLA has plenty to sort out before the games count, but Kusturicas first showing offered a glimpse of a player who could become a major part of the conversation much sooner than expected, and the excitement around him is already stretching well beyond the usual freshman hype. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA's Perfect Start Faces A Real Test Against Michigan State's Front
UCLAs undefeated start gets a sturdier measuring stick in Week 8, when Michigan State brings a front seven built to make opponents work for every yard. The Bruins have leaned on their ground game to set the tone, but this matchup will tell a lot about how well that formula travels against a defense that has been more than willing to challenge teams at the line of scrimmage.
The other side of the ball brings its own uncertainty for the Spartans, who are trying to keep the offense balanced after Cam Edwards injury changed the backfield picture. Jaziun Patterson has been a key part of that answer, but his status leaves Michigan State with a lingering question as it tries to protect quarterback Dieffenbach and stay on schedule against a UCLA team that has made a habit of forcing opponents to adjust. [Read more 🡒]