Bennett was one constant in Reds' organization

Gene Bennett, a key part of the Big Red Machine, passed away at the age of 87 on Wednesday in Wheelsburg, Ohio, according to his daughter. Bennett was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on July 29, 1928, but lived most of his life in nearby Wheelsburg.
Bennett joined the Reds' organization as a player in 1952, playing for Johnny Vander Meer that first year, and never worked anywhere else. He became a scout in 1957. Offered the opportunity to either manage in the Reds' system or scout, Bennett consulted with Branch Rickey, general manager of the Pirates at the time, who explained to Bennett that as a scout, his ability determined his success, but as a manager, he had to depend on the ability of others.
Bennett's kidneys reportedly stopped working Tuesday, and less than 24 hours later, he passed away. Over the years, he signed more than 100 players, including the likes of Don Gullett -- who at the age of 24 was the ace in the rotation of the Big Red Machine -- Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin and other big league players, including Chris Sabo, Paul O'Neill, Dave Tomlin, Charlie Leibrandt and Jeff Russell. Bennett scouted Larkin when the shortstop was in high school, and the Reds drafted Larkin in the second round of the 1982 Draft, only to have him decide to attend the University of Michigan.
Three years later, the Reds went after Larkin again, this time making him the fourth overall pick in the Draft, and Bennett got his man.
During Bennett's career with the Reds, the team's ownership changed seven times, and there were 11 general managers. Bennett was the one constant.
Bennett became scouting supervisor in 1975, and in 1992, at the age of 64, was promoted to special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden, who was 31 at the time.