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Cincinnati Reds announce passing of former 1B Todd Benzinger

The Cincinnati Reds announced the death of former first baseman Todd Benzinger at age 63. A Kentucky native from Dayton and a graduate of New Richmond High School in Ohio, Benzinger joined the Reds via a trade from the Boston Red Sox before the 1989 season, which involved Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy.

He hit 17 home runs during his first year as the team's primary first baseman, but his role shifted to pinch-hitting and defensive replacement by 1990 as Hal Morris began to see more playing time.

During the 1990 World Series, Lou Piniella utilized Benzinger's superior fielding skills at first base while Morris served as the designated hitter in Oakland. This arrangement allowed Benzinger to make a critical catch in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4 against the Oakland Athletics, securing a 4-0 sweep for the Reds.

After his playing career, Benzinger managed the Dayton Dragons during the late 2000s.

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