Todd Benzinger Passes Away

Former big leaguer Todd Benzinger passed away on Wednesday at age 63, according to a statement released by the Reds earlier this week. Three of Benzinger’s nine MLB seasons (from 1987-95) were spent in Cincinnati, with the switch-hitter playing a memorable role in the Reds’ World Series-winning squad in 1990. A fourth-round pick for the Red Sox in the 1981 draft, Benzinger spent his first two Major League seasons with Boston before he was dealt to the Reds as part of a five-player swap in December 1988. It was a virtual homecoming for Benzinger, whose birthplace of Dayton, Kentucky is right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Benzinger made a bit of history in his very first at-bat as a Red, as his RBI single in the first inning on Opening Day 1989 officially ended Orel Hershiser’s regular-season scoreless-inning streak at a record 59 innings. Acting as the Reds’ everyday first baseman in 1989, Benzinger moved into more of a platoon role the next season as both a first baseman and occasional left fielder. Benzinger did get the start at first in Game 4 of the 1990 World Series, and he’ll forever be remembered in Cincinnati for recording the final out (a Carney Lansford pop-up in foul territory) that sealed the Reds’ sweep of the Athletics. “[Benzinger] was a super nice guy,” former Reds teammate and Hall-of-Famer Barry Larkin told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. “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.” As Benzinger’s playing time continued to diminish in 1991, he asked for a trade and was dealt to the Royals that July. Another trade followed in the offseason when Benzinger was sent to the Dodgers, and Benzinger finally found a bit of stability by signing a free agent deal with the Giants in the 1992-93 offseason. Benzinger spent his final three MLB seasons in San Francisco, and also spent some time with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate in 1995. Benzinger finished his career with 66 home runs and a .257/.301/.386 slash line in 3106 plate appearances and 924 games in the majors. Beyond his playing days, Benzinger also spent two years as the manager of the Reds’ A-ball affiliate in Dayton in 2009-10. Benzinger’s ability to teach the game was noted by former Royals standout Mike Sweeney, who praised Benzinger for helping him transition from catcher to first base during Kansas City’s Spring Training camp in 2000. “[Benzinger] oozed with joy, humility, and love of others, and here I am, a stranger to him, learning a position that he mastered, and he poured into me like I was his little brother, and I’ll always remember his selflessness, the care that he had, and the joy that he brought in every day,” Sweeney told Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star. We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Benzinger’s family, friends, and loved ones.