USC Trojans baseball

USC Trojans
Founded: 1888

University University of Southern California
Conference Pac-12
Location Los Angeles, CA
Head Coach Frank Cruz (1st year)
Home Stadium Dedeaux Field
(Capacity: 2,500)
Nickname Trojans
Colors Cardinal and Gold

             
National Championships
1948, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1998
CWS Appearances
1948, 1949, 1951, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001
NCAA Tournament Appearances
1948, 1949, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005

The University of Southern California Trojans baseball program, established in 1888, is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Pacific-12 Conference, and is currently coached by interim head coach Frank Cruz.

The USC Trojans are arguably the most dominant program in the history of College Baseball: With 12 baseball national championships, USC is far and away the leader in that category (no other school has more than 6). Since 1924, the Trojans have compiled a record of 2,221-1,093-15 (.669) against college opponents, and have captured outright or tied for 38 conference championships. USC's most notable baseball coach was Rod Dedeaux, coaching from 1942–86, who led the school to 11 of its NCAA crowns, including 5 straight from 1970-74.

The first Trojan national championship came in 1948. The 12th and most recent title came in 1998.

They play at Dedeaux Field in honor of former coach Rod Dedeaux.

Contents

History

The Early years

The Trojans began recognizing baseball as a school sport in 1889. As with many programs during the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Trojans lacked a consistent head coach, even they even had one at all. It wasn't until 1908 that the Trojans had an official head coach, Harvey Holmes, but Holmes only coached the team for 1 year. Holmes also coached other sports at USC including football and track. The team would get another coach during the 1911 season, Curtiss Bernard. Bernard also only coached for a year, and in 1912 the Trojans once again had a 1 year coach in Len Burrell.

During the World War I years, the USC baseball team was made up mostly of law school students, but opened the team up to all students for the 1916 and 1917 season. Following the conclusion of the war, the baseball team was coached by "Gloomy Gus" Henderson in 1920. Henderson would join forces with Willis Hunter as co-coaches for the 1921 season, but the team was left without a coach for the 1922 season. In 1923 the team was coached by George Wheeler, who also coached the law students during the 1914 season. Wheeler coached the team for a year, and would mark the last time the Trojan baseball team has lacked consistency at the coaching position.

Sam Crawford Era

Sam Crawford took over as head coach of USC baseball in 1924. Crawford would mark the end of inconsistency at the coaching ranks for the baseball program. During his tenure, the program slowly began to rise to national prominence, and Crawford helped to create the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association in 1927. Crawford coached the Trojans for 6 years before turning the reigns over to Sam Barry. All in all, Crawford compiled a record of 59-46-3, including a second place finish during the initial campaign for the CIBA.

Sam Barry Era

In 1930, Sam Barry took over the USC baseball program and immediately built off the success his predecessor had. Barry was also an assistant for the USC football team until he became head coach in 1941 as well as, coach of the men's basketball team. At that point Barry was head coach for all three major USC sports teams simultaneously. Barry won the CIBA title in his first year finishing 11-2 and 25-5-1 overall. During the next decade, Barry would claim four more CIBA titles. Barry coached the Trojans from 1930-1941 before joining the Navy during World War II. Upon his return Barry would return to coach the Trojans along side his former player Rod Dedeaux. Barry finished with a career mark of 219-89-3. Barry remains only one of three coaches to coach a Final Four game and in a College World Series.

Barry-Dedeaux Years

When Sam Barry returned from World War II in 1946, Barry and Dedeaux served as co-coaches, with Dedeaux running the team each year until Barry finished the basketball season. The arrangement was so successful that USC won the College World Series in 1948.

1948 National Championship

See also: 1948 College World Series

After finishing the season 40-12-1, USC met Yale for 1948 NCAA Division I baseball championship at the second College World Series. The CWS in 1948 was a best 2-out-of-3 format. The games were played on June 25 and June 26, with June 26 being a doubleheader if necessary. USC won the first game, 3-1 to take a 1-0 series lead, but lost game 2 by a score of 8-3. The third and final game immediately followed game 2. USC scored a run in the first inning and never looked back. USC claimed their first National Championship with a game 3 victory, 9-2. Although USC won, they were unable to prevent future President of the United States of America, George Bush, from collecting a double in the final game.[1]

Rod Dedeaux Era

After being co-head coach in 1942 with his former college coach Sam Barry, Dedeaux took over the USC program in 1943. Barry recommended Dedeaux to coach the team when Sam Barry joined the Navy. Dedeaux coached the Trojans by himself for the next three years, until once again joining forces with Barry as co-head coaches. After Barry's death in September 1950, Dedeaux became the sole coach of USC baseball.

After taking over in 1951, Dedeaux became the sole coach and proceeded to build on the early success to establish the strongest program in collegiate baseball. The Trojans claimed 11 straight CIBA titles in Dedeaux first 11 years. The Trojans claimed 9 outright titles and tied for 1st in 1953 and 1957. Following the 1957 campaign, Dedeaux's team finished the season 36-8 overall and earned the first of his 10 national titles as sole coach.

1958 National Championship

See also: 1958 College World Series

1961 National Championship

See also: 1961 College World Series

1963 National Championship

See also: 1963 College World Series

1968 National Championship

See also: 1968 College World Series

1970 National Championship

See also: 1970 College World Series

1971 National Championship

See also: 1971 College World Series

1972 National Championship

See also: 1972 College World Series

1973 National Championship

See also: 1973 College World Series

1974 National Championship

See also: 1974 College World Series

1978 National Championship

See also: 1978 College World Series

Retirement and Legacy

After a total of 45 years as head coach of USC, Dedeaux decided to retire following the 1986 campaign. Dedeaux drastically changed college baseball and left historic marks on the sport that might never be touched. All in all, Dedeaux won a total of 11 national championships, 10 by himself and 1 with Sam Barry, compiled a record of 1,332-571-11, and completed and unbelievable stretch of 37 years without a losing season. He retired as the winningest coach in college baseball history and held that distinction until 1994 when Texas head coach Cliff Gustafson broke it.

While he was at USC, Dedeaux also served as coach of the United States team at both the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with baseball being a demonstration sport prior to its elevation to full medal status in 1988.

Following his retirement, Dedeaux became the Director of Baseball for USC, and for the rest of his life remained a beloved annual presence at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The field the Trojans currently play their games at is named after him. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 1970, and in 1999 was named the Coach of the Century by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

Dedeaux died at age 91 in Glendale, California, of complications from a December 2, 2005, stroke.[2] He was survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Helen Jones, and their four children. On July 4, 2006, he was a member of the first class of inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Post Rod Dedeaux

Mike Gillespie

See also: Mike Gillespie (baseball coach)

Following a legend is never an easy task, but USC reached out to one of Rod Dedeaux's former players to replace the recently retired coach. Gillespie played under Dedeaux from 1960–1962, and after a successful coaching stint at the College of the Canyons, Gillespie was named just the 4th Head Coach of USC since 1924.

1998 National Championship
See also: 1998 College World Series

Gillespie was named National Coach of the year in 1998.

Retirement and Legacy

After 20 years as the Head Coach of the Trojans, Gillespie decided to step down following the 2006 season. During his career, Gillespie kept Trojan baseball in the spotlight, especially in the years leading up to and following the 1998 championship. He finished with an overall record of 763-471-2 during his tenure as coach of the Trojans. As a result of his success, Gillespie earned the honor to coach the 2000 USA National Team. During his tenure he was named PAC-10 coach of the year 4 times, while his teams produced 44 All-America selections 94 draft picks, and 25 major league players.

After sitting out the 2007 season, Gillespie was named coach of the UC Irvine Anteaters in September 2007. Gillespie replaced Dave Serrano, who had just guided the Anteaters to their first CWS appearance but left to take over at Cal State Fullerton, his alma mater, after George Horton left Fullerton to head the new program at Oregon.[3]

Chad Kreuter

In June 2006, Chad Kreuter became only the fourth man to earn the title of Head Baseball Coach at USC. Kreuter replaced his father-in-law, Mike Gillespie, after Gillespie retired. Kreuter was charged with restoring USC baseball into a national powerhouse once again, and stated his two main goals were to get to Omaha and prepare his players for the Major Leagues.

Kreuter failed to make the post-season in each of his four years. He had a combined record of 111-117 during his four years as head coach, never posting a winning record. During his tenure, the Trojans twice finished in last place in the Pac-10, and never higher than 5th in the conference. Although his players flourished in the classroom, he came under heavy criticism late in his tenure.[4] He was relieved of his duties in August 2010 and replaced by assistant coach and former Loyola Marymount head coach Frank Cruz.[5]

Dedeaux Field

Main article: Dedeaux Field

Dedeaux field is a baseball stadium in Los Angeles, California. it is the home field for the University of Southern California Trojans college baseball team. It is named after the former USC legendary coach Rod Dedeaux, who coached from 1942 to 1986. The Trojans moved into the ballpark in 1974, the same year they won their fifth consecutive College World Series title. After many renovations, the current capacity is 2,500 people.

Head coaches

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1889–1907 No Coach on Record
1908 Harvey Holmes 1 17-2 .895
1909–1910 No Coach on Record
1911 Curtiss Bernard 1 10-3 .769
1912 Len Burrell 1 6-9 .400
1913 No Coach on Record
1914–1915 USC was Represented by School of Law
1916–1917 USC was Represented by School of Law (Open to all students)
1918–1919 World War I - No Team
1920 Elmer "Gloomy Gus" Henderson 1 9-4-1 .679
1921 Willis O. Hunter/Henderson 1 9-3 .750
1922 No Coach on Record
1922–1923 Branch Bocock 2 15-15-2 .500
1924–1929 Sam Crawford 6 59-46-3 .560
1930–1941 Sam Barry 12 219-89-3 .934
1942 Barry-Dedeaux See Below
1943–1945 Rod Dedeaux See Below
1946–1950 Barry-Dedeaux 6 170-70-3 .706
1951–1986 Rod Dedeaux 45 1,332-571-11 .699
1987–2006 Mike Gillespie 20 763-471-2 .618
2007–2010 Chad Kreuter 3 83-85 .494
Totals
Longest Tenure
Rank Name Seasons
1 Rod Dedeaux 45
2 Mike Gillespie 20
3 Sam Barry 12
Most Wins
Rank Name Wins
1 Rod Dedeaux 1,332
2 Mike Gillespie 763
3 Sam Barry 219
Best Winning Pct.
Rank Name Pct.
1 Sam Barry .934
2 Barry-Dedeaux .706
3 Rod Dedeaux .699

Year-by-Year Results

Through the end of the 2009 season.
Final Rankings are from Collegiate Baseball Division I Final Polls (1959–2006)[6]

  • *Includes six games played in fall of 1892.
  • **USC was represented by School of Law team.
  • ***USC was represented by School of Law but the team was open to all students.
  • ****No official team due to World War I; students briefly organized team.

National Championships

Year Coach Record Result
1948 Barry-Dedeaux 40-12-1 Defeated Yale, 9-2
1958 Rod Dedeaux 36-8-0 Defeated Missouri, 8-7
1961 Rod Dedeaux 43-9-1 Defeated Oklahoma St., 1-0
1963 Rod Dedeaux 37-16-1 Defeated Arizona, 5-2
1968 Rod Dedeaux 49-14-1 Defeated Southern Illinois, 4-3
1970 Rod Dedeaux 51-13-1 Defeated Florida St., 2-1
1971 Rod Dedeaux 54-13-0 Defeated Southern Illinois, 7-2
1972 Rod Dedeaux 50-13-1 Defeated Arizona St., 1-0
1973 Rod Dedeaux 51-11-0 Defeated Arizona St., 4-3
1974 Rod Dedeaux 50-21-0 Defeated Miami, 7-3
1978 Rod Dedeaux 56-10-0 Defeated Arizona St., 10-3
1998 Mike Gillespie 49-17-0 Defeated Arizona St., 21-14
Total national championships 12

USC in the NCAA Tournament

Year Record Pct Notes
USC did not make the tournament in 1947.
1948 5-1 .833 Won the NCAA Western Playoffs; College World Series Champions
1949 3-3 .500 Won the NCAA Western Playoffs; College World Series (2nd Place)
USC did not make the tournament in 1950.
1951 2-2 .500 College World Series
USC did not make the tournament in 1952 or 1953.
1954 1-2 .333 Lost to Fresno St. in NCAA District 8 Playoffs
1955 2-2 .500 Won NCAA District 8 Playoffs; College World Series
USC did not make the tournament inn 1956 or 1957.
1958 7-1 .875 Won NCAA District 8 Playoffs; College World Series Champions
USC did not make the tournament in 1959.
1960 8-3 .727 Won NCAA District 8 Playoffs and Finals; College World Series
1961 9-1 .900 Won NCAA District 8 Playoffs and Finals; College World Series Champions
USC did not make the tournament in 1962.
1963 7-2 .778 Won NCAA District 8 Finals; College World Series Champions
1964 6-2 .750 Won NCAA District 8 Playoffs and Finals; College World Series
USC did not make the tournament in 1965.
1966 6-2 .750 Won NCAA District 8 Finals; College World Series
USC did not make the tournament in 1967.
1968 7-2 .875 Won NCAA District 8 Finals; College World Series Champions
USC did not make the tournament in 1969.
1970 6-1 .857 Won NCAA District 8 Finals; College World Series Champions
1971 7-2 .778 Won NCAA District 8 Finals; College World Series Champions
1972 College World Series Champions
1973 College World Series Champions
1974 College World Series Champions
1975 1-2 .333 Eliminated by Pepperdine in the West Regional
USC did not make the tournament in 1976.
1977
1978 College World Series Champions
USC did not make the tournament from 1979 to 1983.
1984
USC did not make the tournament from 1985 to 1987.
1988
1989
1990
1991
USC did not make the tournament in 1992.
1993 3-2 .600 Lost in the NCAA Central II Regional Finals to Texas
1994 3-2 .600 Lost in the NCAA South Regional Finals to LSU
1995 8-3 .727 Won the NCAA West Regional; College World Series (2nd Place)
1996 3-2 .600 Lost in the NCAA Central II Regional Finals to Oklahoma St.
1997 3-2 .600 Lost in the NCAA South II Regional Finals to Alabama
1998 9-2 .818 Won the NCAA East Regional; College World Series Champions
1999 3-3 .500 Won the Los Angeles Regional; Lost to Stanford in the Palo Alto Super Regional
2000 6-2 .750 Won the Fullerton Regional & Atlanta Super Regional; College World Series (5th Place)
2001 6-2 .750 Won the Los Angeles Regional & Super Regional; College World Series (5th Place)
2002 3-2 .600 Won the Los Angeles Regional; Lost to Stanford in the Palo Alto Super Regional
USC did not make the tournament in 2003 or 2004.
2005 4-3 .571 Won the Long Beach Regional; Lost to Oregon St. in the Corvallis Super Regional
USC has not made the tournament since 2005.
TOTALS
208-77
.730

NCAA Records

Individual Records

Year Player Record Notes
1960 Bruce Gardner Innings Pitched in a Season (182.2) No. 2 all-time
1960 Bruce Gardner Victories (18) Led the nation in 1960
1964 Walt Peterson Victories (17) Led the nation in 1964
1966 John Stewart Victories (16) Led the nation in 1966
1970 Dan Stoligrosz Home runs in a Season (14) Led the nation in 1970
1972 Fred Lynn Home runs in a Season (14) Led the nation in 1972
1974 Rich Dauer Hits in a Season (108) Led the nation in 1974
1974 Rich Dauer Runs Batted In (92) Led the nation in 1974
1974 Rich Dauer Total Bases (181) Led the nation in 1974
1984 Mark McGwire Home runs in a Season (32) Led the nation in 1984
1987 Brian Nichols Saves (17) Led the nation in 1987
1993 Dan Hubbs Saves (18) Led the nation in 1993
1995–1998 Jack Krawczyk Career Saves (49) No. 2 all-time
1998 Seth Etherton Strikeouts (182) Led the nation in 1998
1998 Jack Krawczyk Saves in a Season (23) No. 1 all-time
2001 Mark Prior Strikeouts (202) Led the nation in 2001
2005 Ian Kennedy Strikeouts (158) Led the nation in 2005
Source:"Official 2008 NCAA Baseball Records Book". ncaa.org. http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2008/BaseHits/NCAABaseballRecordsBook.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-20. 

Team Records

Year Record Notes
All-Time Win Percentage (.654) No. 16 overall
All-Time Victories (2,589) No. 3 overall
1973 Home runs (62) Led the nation in 1973
Source:"Official 2008 NCAA Baseball Records Book". ncaa.org. http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2008/BaseHits/NCAABaseballRecordsBook.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-20. 

Player Awards

All-Americans

The following is a listing of first team selections. Other selections are available at USC's official website.[8]

  • 1948
Wally Hood (p) - ABCA
Art Mazmanian (2b) - ABCA
Henry Workman (of) - ABCA
  • 1949
Jim Brideweser (p) - ABCA
  • 1950
Jay Roundy (of) - ABCA
  • 1952
Hal Charnofsky (ss) - ABCA
  • 1953
Ed Simpson (1b) - ABCA
  • 1956
Kent Hadley (1b) - ABCA
  • 1957
Bill Olson (cf) - ABCA
  • 1958
Jerry Siegert (of) - ABCA
  • 1959
Bill Thom (p) - ABCA
Johnny Werhas (3b) - ABCA
  • 1960
Bruce Gardner (p) - ABCA
  • 1961
Willie Ryan (1b) - ABCA
  • 1964
Walt Peterson (p) - ABCA
  • 1970
Brent Strom (p) - ABCA
  • 1971
Steve Busby (p) - ABCA
  • 1972
Fred Lynn (of) - ABCA
  • 1973
Roy Smalley (ss) - ABCA
  • 1974
Rich Dauer (3b) - ABCA
  • 1975
Steve Kemp () - ABCA
  • 1978
Bill Bordley (p) - ABCA
  • 1981
Dan Davidsmeier (ss) - ABCA
  • 1984
Mark McGwire (1b) - ABCA & BA
  • 1988
Jim Campanis (c) - BA
  • 1991
Mark Smith (of) - BA & CB
  • 1995
Gabe Alvarez (ss) - ABCA
Geoff Jenkins (of) - BA & CB
  • 1998
Seth Etherton (p) - ABCA, BA, & CB
Jack Krawczyk (p) - ABCA & CB
  • 1999
Barry Zito (p) - ABCA, BA, & CB
  • 2001
Mark Prior (p) - ABCA, BA, & CB
  • 2005
Jeff Clement (c) - ABCA, BA, & CB
Ian Kennedy (p) - BA & CB

Legend

All-College World Series

  • 1958
Mike Castanon (2b)
Fred Scott (ss)
Ron Fairly (of)
Bill Thom^ (p)
  • 1960
William Ryan (1b)
Bob Levingston (of)
Mickey McNamee (of)
Art Ersepke (of)
Bill Heath (c)
Bruce Gardner (p)
  • 1961
William Ryan (1b)
Art Ersepke (of)
Larry Himes (c)
Jim Withers (p)
Larry Hankammer (p)
  • 1963
Gary Holman (1b)
Kenny Washington (of)
Buddy Hollowell^ (c)
Walt Peterson (p)
  • 1964
Gary Sutherland (ss)
Willy Brown (of)
  • 1966
John Stewart (p)
  • 1968
Bill Seinsoth^* (1b)
Bill Lee (p)
  • 1970
Frank Alfano (2b)
Dan Stoligrosz (3b)
Jim Barr (p)
  • 1971
Frank Alfano (2b)
Fred Lynn* (of)
Mark Sogge (p)
  • 1972
Daryl Arenstein (1b)
Tim Steele (of)
Sam Ceci (c)
Russ McQueen^* (p)
  • 1973
Rod Smalley* (ss)
Ken Huizenga (of)
Randy Scarbery (c)
  • 1974
Rob Adolph (2b)
Rich Dauer (3b)
Marvin Cobb (ss)
Bob Mitchell (of)
George Milke^ (p)
Mark Barr (p)
  • 1978
Dave Hostetler (1b)
Doug Stokke (ss)
Tim Tolman (if)
John Wells (cf)
Rod Boxberger^ (p)
  • 1995
Geoff Jenkins* (of)
Randy Flores (p)
Wes Rachels (if)
  • 1995
Rod Dedeaux~ Head Coach
  • 1998
Robb Gorr (1b)
Jack Krawczyk (p)
Jason Lane (dh)
Eric Munson (c)
Wes Rachels^ (2b)
Brad Ticehurst (of)

Legend

  • ^ denotes player was named MOP of the College World Series
  • * denotes selection to College World Series All-Decade team
  • ~ denotes selection to All-Time College World Series team

See also

References

  1. ^ USC's 12 National Championships
  2. ^ Coaching Legend Dedeaux Dies at 91
  3. ^ Gillespie returns to SoCal to coach UC Irvine
  4. ^ Kreuter not worried about criticism
  5. ^ Frank Cruz Named Interim USC Baseball Coach
  6. ^ [1] Official 2007 NCAA Baseball Records Book
  7. ^ Mike Gillespie Retires As USC Baseball Head Coach
  8. ^ http://usctrojans.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/usc/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/basebl-all-americans
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