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1990 World Series champ Todd Benzinger dies at 63

By Thomson Reuters Oct 22, 2026 | 11:39 AM

By Field Level Media

Oct 22 (Field Level Media) – Todd Benzinger, the first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds’ ​1990 World Series championship team, ‌died Wednesday at age 63.

He caught the final out of the World Series as Cincinnati completed a four- game sweep of ‌the ​Oakland Athletics.

“Todd will be ⁠remembered with great ⁠affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history,” the team posted ​Thursday on X. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, ⁠former teammates and ⁠all who knew and loved ​him.”

Benzinger batted .257 with 66 homers and 376 ​RBIs in 924 career games with ‌the Boston Red Sox (1987-88), Reds (1989-91), Kansas City Royals (1991), Los Angeles Dodgers (1992) and San Francisco Giants (1993-95). He made 622 ⁠career appearances at first base and 192 in the outfield.

His best season at the plate ⁠was in ‌1989 with career highs ⁠in homers (17), RBIs (76), runs (79) and ​games (161) ‌and a National League-leading 628 ​at- bats.

A ⁠native of Dayton, Ky., Benzinger was drafted in the fourth round by the Red Sox in 1981 out of New Richmond High School in Ohio.

(–Field ​Level Media)