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FEBRUARY 11, 1963–

Major League Career

1987–1995

Time as a Red

1989–1991

Position

FIRST BASE; OUTFIELD

WHILE PLAYING IN HIS BACKYARD or, perhaps, while falling asleep at night, many a local boy has dreamed of catching the final out in the final game of a World Series to seal a championship for the hometown team, but only one has ever done it for the Reds. And as long as he lives, that’s how he will be remembered in Cincinnati: Game 4, ninth inning, Randy Myers pitching to A’s third baseman Carney Lansford, who sliced a pop foul behind first base. Todd Benzinger went back on the ball, and when he squeezed it in his glove, pandemonium broke loose throughout Reds Country.

Benzinger was born in Dayton, Kentucky, but grew up in New Richmond. As a boy, he went to Reds games with his dad, as many as a dozen each year, sitting in the “top six”—the cheap seats at Riverfront Stadium—to watch the Big Red Machine. He even had a family connection to the team. His uncle, Don Gross, pitched for the Reds in 1955 and 1956. At New Richmond High School, Benzinger put up amazing numbers, which led to being named an All-American and to being drafted in the fourth round by the Red Sox in 1981.

A switch-hitting outfielder and first baseman, he earned steady promotions through the organization until in 1987 at AAA Pawtucket he caught fire and hit .323 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in only 65 games. Boston called him to the majors, and he debuted on June 21. Red Sox fans still fondly recall his role in the team’s drive from nine games back to win the American League Eastern Division title in 1988, known as “Morgan Magic,” because the drive began when Joe Morgan took over as manager. Throughout the season, Benzinger hit well in the clutch—.394 with 33 RBI with runners on third; .381 with runners on third and two out, including five doubles and 16 RBI.

In that season, the Reds finished second in the National League West, and struggling first baseman Nick Esasky wanted to be traded, so the Reds sent him, along with reliever Rob Murphy, to Boston for Benzinger and two other players. The trade made front-page news on December 14, an Enquirer headline announcing, “Benzinger brings his bat home.” At the press conference, he told the media, “It’s nice to come home. It was a dream of mine in high school and it remained a dream of mine. It finally came true.”

He made his Reds debut on Opening Day, April 3, 1989. In the book Opening Day by John Erardi and Greg Rhodes, Benzinger says he looked up at the “top six” where he used to sit with his dad, and thought, “Hey, I’m on the field.” The bubble burst when Willie Randolph, the first batter, grounded to third baseman Chris Sabo, who fielded the ball and threw to first, where it hit the dirt and zoomed past Benzinger, who then turned and collided with Randolph, who was awarded second base due to the obstruction. The play was officially scored an error on Benzinger. “My first play at Riverfront Stadium, and I’ve got an error,” he told Erardi and Rhodes.

The 1989 season was a difficult one for the Reds, with manager Pete Rose’s suspension and numerous injuries. Benzinger, however, played in 161 games, leading the league in official at-bats with 628. He also hit 17 home runs and 76 RBI, while leading the team with 79 runs scored. In 1990, the team bounced back big time, going wire to wire, a championship run that culminated with Benzinger’s catch. But in that season, the Reds traded for first baseman Hal Morris, and Benzinger’s playing time dwindled. On July 11, 1991, the Reds dealt him to Kansas City, where he hit .294 but was traded again after the season to the Dodgers. He played his final three seasons with the Giants, ending his career in 1995.

After baseball, he focused on getting a degree in education and on raising his two daughters and son. He has coached the girls’ basketball teams at Seven Hills and at Loveland High School, and for two years managed the Reds’ Class A affiliate Dayton Dragons. Though he gave Reds fans many fine moments during his time with the team, we’ll always remember him mostly for making The Catch.