Steve Kemp (2003) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Steve Kemp

Induction:
2003
Class:
1975

Steve Kemp, who set USC’s career batting average record (.397), was the Trojans’ first-ever designated hitter (in 1974). A 3-year letterman outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter (1973-74-75), he was a 1975 All-American, All-District and All-Conference first teamer. He also was USC’s MVP in 1975 when he led the team in batting average (a school-record .435), home runs (13), RBI (67), hits (90) and runs (53). He was a member of USC’s 1973 and 1974 College World Series champions. He was the first player selected in the 1976 major league regular phase draft and played in the majors for 11 seasons (1977-86, 1988) with the Tigers, White Sox, Yankees, Pirates and Rangers (he appeared in the 1979 All-Star game). He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023. A graduate of Arcadia High, he became a financial consultant and high school baseball coach.