Emotional Farewell for Dedeaux

More than 3,000 mourners paid final respects to legendary USC baseball coach Rod Dedeaux in a service Monday that included the Trojan band trumpeting “Fight On” as the recessional left the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels.

Dedeaux, who led the Trojans to 11 NCAA titles, including five straight at one point during his 45 years at their helm, died on Jan. 5 from the effects of a stroke. He was 91.

After Cardinal Roger M. Mahony celebrated Mass and remembered Dedeaux for living up to the biblical virtues of “uncommon faith, personal integrity and generosity of heart,” USC President Steven Sample said in a eulogy that Dedeaux had been and will remain one of the school’s “central pillars.” Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, also delivering a eulogy, touched on Dedeaux’s outgoing personality and said it would remain “impossible to mention” Dedeaux without smiling.

“As long as there is baseball and as long as there is USC,” Scully said, “Rod will live forever.”

Among the current and former baseball personalities who attended the service were Peter O’Malley, Sparky Anderson, Mike Scioscia, Jim Tracy, Fred Claire, Bob Daly, Bob Graziano, Kevin Malone, Dan Evans, Fred Lynn, Ron Fairly, Don Buford, Billy Consolo and John Scolinos.

-- Ross Newhan