Todd Benzinger, a former Dayton Dragons manager who caught the final out of the 1990 World Series for the Cincinnati Reds, died at 63 on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The Reds announced Benzinger’s death on Thursday, Oct. 22. A cause of death was not announced.
“Todd will forever be remembered by Reds fans for catching the final out of the 1990 World Series,” said Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, “but those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will remember so much more. Todd remained close to the Cincinnati community and was a tremendous friend to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, generously participating in our events and sharing his time with fans. We will miss his friendship, his kindness and his presence in our community.”
A native of New Richmond, Ohio, Benzinger was drafted in the fourth round by the Boston Red Sox in 1981. He played for the Red Sox in 1987 and 1988 before being traded to the Reds in December 1988 in a deal that sent Nick Esasky to Boston.
Benzinger becomes our first baseman and he can play right field, too. This gives us doggone good balance," General Manager Murray Cook told Hal McCoy, of the Dayton Daily News, after the trade.
"They might say I'm the first baseman, but I'm not going to be handed the job," Benzinger said. "I'm going to spring training with the attitude I have to win the job.
Benzinger hit .241 with 23 home runs and 133 RBIs in three seasons with the Reds. In 1990, he hit .253 in 118 games, making 90 starts.
Benzinger was 5-for-20 in the postseason in 1990. He started at first base in Game 3 when the Reds beat the Oakland Athletics 8-3 and started again at first in Game 4 when the Reds clinched their fifth championship with a 2-1 victory.
Carney Lansford popped out to Benzinger to end the game. Marty Brennaman immortalized Benzinger for Reds fans in his call of the final out on 700 WLW. His call included the words, “Benzinger backing and calling.”
The Reds upset the favored A’s with a four-game sweep.
“I don't care if they didn't play well,” Benzinger said then. “I don't care if they did play well. We played so well they couldn't have beat us anyway.”