Carlos May
Carlos May (born May 17, 1948) is an American former professional baseball player. May played ten seasons on three Major League Baseball (MLB) teams – the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and California Angels. May also played four seasons in Japan for the Nankai Hawks, from 1978 through 1981. Primarily a left fielder, May batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
| Carlos May | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Left fielder / Designated hitter / First baseman | |||
| Born: May 17, 1948 Birmingham, Alabama | |||
| |||
| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 6, 1968, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| NPB: 1978, for the Nankai Hawks | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 2, 1977, for the California Angels | |||
| NPB: 1981, for the Nankai Hawks | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .274 | ||
| Home runs | 90 | ||
| Runs batted in | 536 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .309 | ||
| Home runs | 70 | ||
| Runs batted in | 252 | ||
| Teams | |||
| |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
| |||
Major league career
He began his major league career on September 6, 1968, but did not have his first full year until 1970. In 1969, he suffered a severe injury while serving in the Marine Reserves, at Camp Pendleton in California. May was cleaning a mortar gun when it fired causing a partial amputation of his right thumb.[1] He won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award, but lost to Lou Piniella for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award. In 1970, as the White Sox' full-time left fielder, he had a good breakout season, batting .285 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs. However, the White Sox had a miserable year, finishing 50 games under .500 and in last place in the American League, 42 games out of first place. In 1971 he batted .294 with 70 RBIs while playing regularly at first base for the only time in his career. He moved back to the outfield after an offseason trade brought superstar Dick Allen to the White Sox.[2]
Throughout the early 1970s, May continued to help the White Sox improve as a solid everyday starter for them. In 1972, he hit .308 and had 28 stolen bases, which would both end up his career-highs in the respective categories. That year, Chicago finished in 2nd place in the AL, behind only the Oakland Athletics. In 1973 he collected 20 home runs and 96 RBIs, which would end up his career highs in those categories.
May did get a crack at postseason play, but not with the White Sox. On May 18, 1976, he was traded to the Yankees for pitcher Ken Brett and fellow outfielder Rich Coggins. The deal was made while the Yankees were in a heated pennant race. That year, he hit .278 and the Yankees went to the World Series. During the ALCS, May went 2-for-10 with a double and a walk. In the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, he did not get a hit in 9 at bats and ended up with a .105 batting average in the postseason.
He was an All-Star in 1969 and 1972 and made the top 10 in batting average and stolen bases twice.
While playing for the White Sox he had the rare distinction of wearing his birthday on the back of his uniform, including his surname: "MAY 17."[3]
In a 10-year career, he hit .274 with 90 home runs and 536 RBIs in 1165 games. He had 85 career stolen bases and 545 runs scored. In 4120 at bats, he had 1127 career hits. In 2012, May joined the coaching staff of the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team, in the Frontier League.
Personal life
May worked for the United States Postal Service for 20 years as a mail carrier and clerk after playing baseball. He is currently a community relations representative for the White Sox. May is the younger brother of Lee May, who played in the major leagues for eighteen seasons. In 1969, they were the first brothers to play against each other in the All Star Game, with Carlos representing the American League (AL) and Lee representing the National League (NL).
May is the only player in MLB history to wear his birthday on the back of his jersey by wearing No.17, which including the name reads as "May 17", when he began his Major League career in the White Sox.
References
- http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1970/01/10/page/58/article/carlos-may-will-start-in-left-field-says-soxs-gutteridge/index.html
- "Improvement Not Easy For Chisox". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. 8 March 1972. p. 10. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayca01.shtml
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)