Former SF Giants first baseman Todd Benzinger passes away at 63

On Thursday, former big league first baseman Todd Benzinger passed away at the age of 63. He appeared in nine major league seasons, including three years with the SF Giants at the end of his career.

The Giants shared a message about Benzinger's passing:

"Todd Benzinger played for the #SFGiants from 1993 to 1995, the final stop in his Major League career. We join the baseball world in mourning his passing, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time."

The Giants on Todd Benzinger.

Benzinger was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round of the 1981 draft out of New Richmond High School in New Richmond, Ohio. He made his debut with Boston in 1987. During his rookie year, he posted a .788 OPS with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 253 plate appearances.

Following the 1988 season, Benzinger was shipped to the Cincinnati Reds in a five-player deal. Veteran pitcher Rob Murphy went to Boston in that deal, and he continued to pitch in the majors until he hung up his spikes after the 1995 season.

Todd Benzinger had one of his best years in a SF Giants uniform

On the other hand, Benzinger joined a talented Reds club that featured an electric bullpen, including John Franco, Rob Dibble, and Norm Charlton. By 1990, the Reds won the World Series, with Benzinger seeing regular playing time at first base and left field.

Benzinger made brief stops with the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the Giants for the 1993 season. He was part of a club that won 103 games but finished in second place in the NL West behind the Atlanta Braves. At the time, only one team from each division reached the playoffs, so the Giants missed the playoffs that year.

That 1993 season was a special one for San Francisco, and it was one of Benzinger's best years at the plate. He recorded a .784 OPS with six home runs and 26 RBI in 194 plate appearances. He played for two more seasons with the Giants before retiring from the game.

The switch-hitter was known for his clutch hitting off the bench, and he ended Orel Hershiser's scoreless inning streak in 1989. Hershiser had completed 59 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run before Benzinger ended that streak in his first start of the 1989 season.

We at Around the Foghorn extend our condolences to the Benzinger family as they navigate this difficult time.

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