Dave May
David LaFrance May (December 23, 1943 – October 20, 2012) was an American outfielder who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Baltimore Orioles (1967–1970), Milwaukee Brewers (1970–1974, 1978), Atlanta Braves (1975–1976), Texas Rangers (1977) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1978). He was an American League (AL) All-Star with the Brewers in 1973. He was a member of an AL pennant winner with the Orioles in 1969. He was the father of Derrick May.
A native of New Castle, Delaware, he graduated from William Penn High School in his hometown. He signed with the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent in 1961. The only year he spent in the Giants organization was in 1962 with the Salem Rebels where he led the team with a .379 batting average. He appeared in his first Major League game with the Baltimore Orioles. During the time he was with Baltimore (1967–1970), he never had higher than a .242 batting average and 152 at bats. He was then traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Dick Baney and Buzz Stephen. However, upon coming to the Brewers, he became an effective hitter. In his first full season in Milwaukee, 1971, May hit 16 home runs and had 65 RBI. After an off year in 1972, he rebounded to finish eighth in MVP voting in 1973 with a .303 batting average, 25 home runs, and 93 RBI. He also led the league in total bases, and placed in second in hits. May is one of two Delawareans to make the All-Star Game. However, the production stopped in 1974, so the Brewers traded him to the Atlanta Braves for Hank Aaron. Once again, in 1975 and 1976, May was not consistent, so he was traded again to the Texas Rangers. Again, he bombed in Texas, so he went back to Milwaukee. Finally, he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended his career with them.
May was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 1984.
May, who had diabetes and cancer, died at age 68 in Bear, Delaware on October 20, 2012.
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