Rudy May, Former Yankees Pitcher and ERA Champion, Passes Away at 80

Former Yankees pitcher Rudy May passed away at the age of 80. His 16-year MLB career included seven seasons with the Yankees, alongside stints with the California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles. Although a cause of death wasn’t disclosed, May had reportedly dealt with diabetes.

May was born in Oakland, California, and played high school with future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. He signed with the Twins in 1962, becoming the only Black player from the West Coast to attend spring training. May reflected on his early days at the clubhouse, recalling the segregation and his naivety about it.

He debuted with the Angels in 1965 and played 536 games throughout his career, finishing with a record of 152-156, a 3.46 ERA, and 1,760 strikeouts. May was part of Yankees teams that reached the American League Championship Series in 1980 and the World Series in 1981. During the 1980 season, he led the American League in ERA with a career-best 2.46 mark.

After retiring in 1984, May temporarily worked as a pitching coach before becoming a manager at Circle K and then a marketing consultant. He frequently professed delight in his post-baseball life, which included family, fishing, and gardening.