Former World Series champion and nine-year MLB veteran Todd Benzinger has died at the age of 63.
The Cincinnati Reds mourned Benzinger's passing with a social media post on Thursday, Oct. 22. No cause of death was given.
"Todd will be remembered with great affection and gratitude for his place in one of the most memorable chapters in Reds history," the statement read. "Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, former teammates and all who knew and loved him."
Benzinger was a key member of the Reds' 1990 championship squad at first base, securing the final out in a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics.
A native of Dayton, Kentucky, Benzinger was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in 1981 and made his MLB debut with
Boston in 1987.
He played two seasons with the Red Sox before being traded to Cincinnati in a five player deal that sent third baseman Nick Esasky to Boston.
With the Reds, he became an everyday player for the first time in 1989, hitting .245 with career highs of 17 home runs and 76 RBIs. After winning the World Series, the Reds traded Benzinger to Kansas City the following season. He later played one year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and two more with the San Francisco Giants before his career ended after the 1995 season.
He was a lifetime .257 hitter and finished with 66 home runs, 376 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.
After retiring as a player, Benzinger managed the Dayton Dragons, the Reds' Class A affiliate, in 2009 and 2010. He was also a frequent attendee at Reds' fan fest events.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Reds 1B, World Series champ Todd Benzinger dies at 63
