ESPN
Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 07:07 PM1 min readVerified Wire
Todd Benzinger, First Baseman for Cincinnati Reds' 1990 World Series Championship Team, Dies at 63
Archived syndication image from ESPN Direct Publisher Wire
Todd Benzinger, a reliable first baseman who famously secured the final out of the Cincinnati Reds' 1990 World Series championship sweep, has died at the age of 63.
Benzinger's professional career spanned multiple Major League Baseball franchises, but he secured a permanent place in baseball lore during his tenure in Cincinnati. Serving as a crucial offensive and defensive anchor, his standout moment came when he gloved a foul pop-up to seal the Reds' dramatic four-game sweep of the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in the 1990 Fall Classic.
According to reports published by ESPN, news of his passing reverberated quickly through sports circles, prompting an outpouring of condolences from former teammates, sports analysts, and loyal fans of the organization.
As the baseball community continues to mourn the loss of the veteran infielder, memorial tributes and commemorative recognitions are expected to be organized by the Reds organization during the upcoming Major League Baseball season.