Longtime Reds scout Bender dies

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A revered member of the Reds' organization passed away Wednesday, when former farm director Sheldon "Chief" Bender died at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Ohio. He was 88.

Bender died at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Ohio. He spent 64 years in baseball as a player, manager and executive -- the last 39 of them with Cincinnati. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

As the organization's Minor League director from 1967-89, Bender was brought in by general manager Bob Howsam and presided over a bountiful system that provided the seed for the Big Red Machine. Johnny Bench, Dave Concepcion, Ken Griffey Sr. and Don Gullett later became stars in the 1970s.

Howsam died last week of heart failure at the age of 89.

"In the last three months we lost three very special men in Chief, Joe Nuxhall and Bob Howsam," Reds owner and CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement. "Each left his own legacy here, and they all made very important contributions to the success of our proud franchise. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families."

Players later developed under Bender included Mario Soto, Tom Browning, Paul O'Neill, Ron Oester, Chris Sabo, Eric Davis and Barry Larkin.

In 1990, Bender became the senior advisor for player development. He retired in 2005, but remained a frequent visitor at Great American Ball Park.

A World War II veteran who earned a Purple Heart during his service, Bender played and managed in the Minor Leagues for 12 seasons. From 1948-66, he was with the Cardinals' organization.

To honor him in 2002, the Reds renamed their Minor League Player of the Year to the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award.