Dateline: Cincinnati
On October 20, 1990, Todd Benzinger backed up and called for a pop fly off the bat of Carney Lansford as Randy Myers finished the Red's, 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Benzinger was born in Dayton, Kentucky directly across the river from downtown Cincinnati on February 11, 1963. He graduated from New Richmond High School on the north bank of the river.
He passed away at the age of 63 this morning (102126).
The switch hitting firstbaseman/outfielder was drafted in the fourth round of the 1981 draft by the Boston Red Sox. He broke in with Boston in 1987. The Reds sent Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy to the Red Sox for Benzinger, Jeff Sellers and minor leaguer, Luis Vazquez in December 1988.
Benzinger played three seasons with the Reds from 1989-91 and was a key contributor during the 1990 wire-to-wire championship season.
He played in 1,230 games for the Reds, hitting .241 with 45 doubles, seven triples, 23 home runs and 133 RBI with the Reds.
The Reds traded Benzinger to the Kansas City Royals on July 11, 1991 for Carmello Martinez. He finished his career on May 14, 1995 at the age of 32.
Benzinger played in 924 games with a career .257 average with 135 doubles, 18 triples, 66 home runs and 376 RBI.
Benzinger managed in the Reds' system at High A Dayton from in 2009 and 2010. He coached high school basketball in the Cincinnati area. He coached the girl's team at Loveland High School from 2006 through 2008.
He also particpated in football and basketball at New Richmond High School.
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