Rich Dauer (2005) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Rich Dauer

Induction:
2005
Class:
1974

Rich Dauer was regarded as one of the most outstanding third basemen in USC baseball history. After transferring from San Bernardino Valley Junior College, he started for the Trojans’ back-to-back College World Series champions in 1973 and 1974. He earned All-American, All-District and All-College World Series honors in 1974 when he set the USC season hits (108), runs scored (75) and games played (70) records. His .376 career batting average is tied for second in Trojan history. He also was a 2-time All-Conference selection. He led USC in every offensive category in both 1973 and 1974: batting average (.361, .387), home runs (11, 15), RBI (43, 92), hits (73, 108) and runs (49, 75). He then spent 10 years (1976-85) with the Baltimore Orioles, twice playing in the World Series (1979 and winning it in 1983). He set a pair of American League season fielding records for second basemen. After his playing career, he was a coach in the minor and major leagues, including 19 seasons in the majors with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros (winning the 2017 World Series). He was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame and College Baseball Hall of Fame. He died on Feb. 3, 2025, at age 72.