USC Trojans baseball

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, when they even had one at all. It was not until 1908 that the Trojans had an official head coach, Harvey Holmes, but Holmes only coached the team for one 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 one-year coach in Len Burrell.

During the World War I years, the USC baseball team was made up mostly of law school students, but the team opened up to all students for the 1916 and 1917 seasons. Following the conclusion of the war, the baseball team was coached by "Gloomy Gus" Henderson in 1920 (who would also coach the Trojan basketball team for two years and the football team for six). 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

Long-time Major League Baseball player and multiple MLB record-holder 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 (CIBA) in 1927. Crawford coached the Trojans for six years before turning the reigns over to Sam Barry. Crawford compiled an overall 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 of the success his predecessor had. On his arrival at USC in 1929, he was named head basketball coach and was made an assistant for the USC football team under his friend and colleague, Howard Jones. When Jones died suddenly in 1941, Barry was named his successor, and served as 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. As he left, he recommended that Jeff Cravath become the head football coach, Julie Bescos become the head basketball coach, and Rod Dedeaux, the captain of his 1935 team, become the head baseball coach. Upon his return, Barry would resume coaching the Trojans alongside Dedeaux. Barry finished with a career mark of 219–89–3. He remains one of only three coaches to coach a Final Four game and in a College World Series. Barry was elected to the inaugural class of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1966.

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

After finishing the season 40–12–1, USC met Yale for the 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 to claim a lead it would not surrender. 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.

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 championships in Dedeaux's first 11 years. The Trojans claimed nine outright titles and tied for first 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 championships as sole coach.

1958 National Championship

1961 National Championship

1963 National Championship

1968 National Championship

1970 National Championship

1971 National Championship

1972 National Championship

1973 National Championship

1974 National Championship

1978 National Championship

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. Dedeaux won a total of 11 national championships, compiled a record of 1,332–571–11, and completed a 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 the record was broken by Texas head coach Cliff Gustafson.

While he was at USC, Dedeaux also served as coach of the United States national baseball team at both the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, when baseball was 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. USC's baseball field was named after him when it opened in 1974. 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. He was survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Helen Jones, and their four children. On July 4, 2006, Dedeaux was inducted as a member of the first class of inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Post Rod Dedeaux

Mike Gillespie

USC reached out to Mike Gillespie, 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, he was named just the fourth head coach of USC baseball since 1924.

1998 National Championship

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 retire 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 four 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.

Chad Kreuter

In June 2006, Chad Kreuter became only the fifth man to earn the title of head baseball coach at USC since 1924. Kreuter replaced his father-in-law, Mike Gillespie, after Gillespie retired.

Kreuter failed to reach the postseason in each of his four years as head coach. He produced an overall record of 111–117 during this time, never posting a winning record. During his tenure, the Trojans twice finished in last place in the Pac-10, and never higher than fifth in the conference. Although his players flourished in the classroom, he came under heavy criticism late in his tenure.

2010s

In August 2010, Kreuter was relieved of his duties, and was replaced by assistant coach and former Loyola Marymount head coach Frank Cruz.

On May 30, 2019, Dan Hubbs was informed that his contract would not be renewed by the university, but athletic director Lynn Swann thanked Hubbs in a statement for his hard work coaching the program, and insisted he would always remain a great Trojan.

Jason Gill

Heading into the next chapter, former Loyola Marymount head coach Jason Gill was hired to be the new head coach of the USC Trojans baseball program.

During Gill's first season in 2020, the Trojans got off to a hot start, winning 10 of their first 15 games, including consecutive victories over nationally ranked powerhouses Vanderbilt and TCU in back-to-back days. Fans in Troy got excited about the program possibly making a return to the NCAA Tournament that year, but the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March abruptly cancelled the rest of the spring.

Gill lost his footing during the challenging circumstances of the pandemic, and the university chose to amicably part ways with him following his third season in 2022.

Andy Stankiewicz

On July 3, 2022, the Trojans hired Andy Stankiewicz as their new head coach. Stankiewicz had earned a highly respected reputation in baseball, first as a hard-nosed infielder during his playing days, reaching the major leagues with persistence and determination, and then in coaching as an accomplished skipper for Grand Canyon University, the New York Yankees organization, and USA Baseball. He also recorded two appearances in the College World Series as an assistant for Arizona State University.

During Stankiewicz's first season in 2023, his Trojans won 34 games, including 26 at home, and USC improved up to fourth place in the Pac-12 Conference standings by winning seven of their ten conference series. Despite being widely predicted to easily make the NCAA Tournament by many publications, the Trojans were shockingly not selected. Nonetheless, fan faith was still heavily restored in the proud program after the resurgent season, and with famed Dedeaux Field being renovated for even bigger upgrades within the next three years, USC was excited to realize their storied baseball tradition was finally coming back to national prominence again.

In 2024, the Trojans began playing at alternate sites while their home stadium was being refurbished. They performed at a nearly identical clip from the previous year, going 31-28, with a 17-12 record in conference play (a slightly higher winning percentage than their 17-13 league record the year before), and again finished in fourth place in the Pac-12 Conference.

In 2025, the Trojans began playing in the Big Ten Conference, and still finished in fourth place for the third consecutive season, but they finally took the big steps forward that many fans predicted. They improved to 37 wins, and this time made the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's most successful season in the last ten years.

Ballparks

Bovard Field

Bovard Field was the former home of USC baseball until Dedeaux Field opened in 1974.

The baseball field was aligned (home to center field) similar to Dedeaux Field, but a few degrees clockwise, nearly true north, but just slightly west. Home plate was located in today's E.F. Hutton Park and left field was bounded by Watt Way. Beyond first base, a large eucalyptus tree came into play; while its trunk was in foul territory, some of its branches crossed into fair territory and guarded the foul line in shallow right field.

Dedeaux Field

Main article: Dedeaux Field

Dedeaux Field is the home field for the USC Trojans baseball team. It is named after the former legendary USC coach Rod Dedeaux, who coached from 1942 to 1986. The Trojans moved into the ballpark in 1974, the same year that they won their fifth consecutive national championship. After many renovations, the current capacity is 2,500 people.

Head coaches

Main article: List of USC Trojans head baseball coaches

• Records are through March 11, 2020

Year-by-Year Results

Main article: List of USC Trojans baseball seasons

Through the end of the 2021 season.

Final Rankings are from Collegiate Baseball Division I Final Polls (1959–2006)

National Championships

USC in the NCAA tournament

• The NCAA Division I baseball tournament started in 1947.
• The format of the tournament has changed through the years.

NCAA records

Individual records

Team records

Player awards

All-Americans

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

• 1948 :Wally Hood (p) - ABCA :Art Mazmanian (2b) - ABCA :Hank 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

• ABCA = American Baseball Coaches Association
• BA = Baseball America
• CB = Collegiate Baseball

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

Johnny Bench Award

Main article: Buster Posey Award{{!}}Johnny Bench Award

• 2005: Jeff Clement
• 2015: Garrett Stubbs

Notable players

• Brian Bannister
• Aaron Boone
• Bret Boone
• Don Buford
• Jeff Cirillo
• Ron Fairly
• Kent Hadley
• Geoff Jenkins
• Randy Johnson
• Jacque Jones
• Steve Kemp
• Dave Kingman
• Barry Latman
• Fred Lynn
• Mark McGwire
• Mark Prior
• Blake Sabol
• Tom Seaver
• Al Silvera
• Roy Smalley
• CJ Stubbs
• Garrett Stubbs
• Barry Zito

Notes

References

References

1. "USC's 12 National Championships".
2. "Hall of Fame Inductee Display".
3. "Coaching Legend Dedeaux Dies at 91".
4. "Gillespie returns to SoCal to coach UC Irvine".
5. "Rivals.com".
6. "Frank Cruz Named Interim USC Baseball Coach - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site".
7. "USC won't renew the contract of baseball coach Dan Hubbs".
8. "USC Baseball 2020 schedule".
9. "USC Baseball and Jason Gill Amicably Part Ways".
10. "New USC baseball coach Andy Stankiewicz sees 'opportunity' to turn around program".
11. "Arizona State Sun Devils baseball history archives".
12. (2023-05-29). "USC baseball shockingly snubbed by NCAA tournament selection committee".
13. . (2023-05-29). ["D1Baseball Field of 64 Projections"](https://d1baseball.com/top-stories/d1baseball-field-of-64-projections-may-29-final-edition/).
14. Cahill, Teddy. (May 28, 2023). "2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament Projected Field Of 64".
15. "New USC baseball coach Andy Stankiewicz sees ‘opportunity’ to turn around program".
16. "USC Baseball 2024 schedule".
17. "USC Baseball 2025 schedule".
18. "Official 2007 NCAA® baseball records book".
19. "Mike Gillespie Retires As USC Baseball Head Coach - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site".
20. http://usctrojans.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/usc/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/basebl-all-americans {{Dead link. (March 2022)
21. (2005-06-30). "Jeff Clement Wins 2005 Johnny Bench Award - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site". Usctrojans.com.
22. (June 26, 2015). "Del Mar native Garrett Stubbs wins Bench Award bestowed to nation's top catcher". Del Mar Times.