Todd Benzinger, 1990 World Series champion with Reds, dies at 63 Todd Benzinger, the former Cincinnati Reds first baseman who caught the final out of the 1990 World Series, has died at 63, the team announced Thursday. He played nine major league seasons and later managed the Dayton Dragons. Todd Benzinger, the former Cincinnati Reds first baseman who caught the final out of the 1990 World Series, has died at 63, the team announced Thursday. The Reds said Benzinger died on Wednesday. Benzinger spent a nine-year major league career and finished with a .257 batting average, 733 hits and 376 RBIs over 924 games. He broke into the majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1981. After two seasons in Boston, he was traded to his hometown Reds ahead of the 1989 season.His defining moment came on Oct. 20, 1990, when he caught the game-ending out in foul territory against the Oakland Athletics to secure Cincinnati's most recent championship. For Reds fans, Benzinger's glove reaching into foul territory at the Oakland Coliseum remains the definitive image of Cincinnati's crowning baseball moment. The Reds posted on X: The Cincinnati Reds are saddened by the passing of former first baseman and 1990 World Series champion Todd Benzinger.Todd Benzinger remembered with great affectionTodd will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, former teammates and all who knew and loved him. In its statement, the team said Benzinger will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history.It noted his regular participation in multiple functions such as the Reds Caravan, Reds Fantasy Camp, Reds Legends Remember program and Redsfest. Benzinger also played for the Kansas City Royals in 1991. He retired after the 1995 season. Benzinger stayed active in local baseball after his playing days, managing Cincinnati's Class-A affiliate, the Dayton Dragons, from 2009 to 2010.Benzinger active in youth baseball in OhioHe had remained active in youth baseball in New Richmond, Ohio, where he went to high school. Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame Museum, said: Todd will forever be remembered by Reds fans for catching the final out of the 1990 World Series, 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.