Yankees pay tribute to ex-pitcher Rudy May, 1980 ERA leader, dead at 80

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As the New York Yankees gear up to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series, they expressed their condolences on X to the family of Rudy May, the former Yankees pitcher and 1980 ERA champion, who passed away at 80.

Who was Rudy May?

Rudy May, known for his effective left-handed pitching and resilience, spent 16 years in Major League Baseball, including seven seasons with the Yankees. His career with the Yankees spanned from the mid-1970s into the early ’80s, during which he also pitched for the California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles.

Rudy May was raised in Oakland, California, where he played alongside future Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan. Signed by the Twins in 1962, May began his professional journey amid the complexities of a segregated America. He recalled the challenges of being the only Black player from the West Coast in the Minnesota organization, noting how he unintentionally broke the South’s social codes during spring training in Florida. His teammate eventually informed him of rules that, at the time, dictated separate water fountains and entrances for Black players.

Two years into his career, while playing in the White Sox’s minor leagues, May witnessed the Civil Rights Act’s passing, a historic moment that led his team from a segregated hotel to an integrated one—an experience May described as both “scary” and profoundly significant.

May made his MLB debut with the Angels in 1965, starting a career that would see him pitch 536 games, finishing with a record of 152-156, a 3.46 ERA, and 1,760 strikeouts. His first stint with the Yankees began on June 15, 1974, after the team acquired him from the Angels. Rudy May became a key player for the Yankees, helping them in postseason runs that included the 1980 AL Championship Series and the 1981 World Series.

In 1976, Rudy May was traded to the Orioles but returned to the Yankees in 1979 as a free agent. He expressed excitement about his return, saying, “It sounds awful good to me. I always did like playing in New York and for the Yankees.” His comeback year was one of his best, as he led the American League in ERA with a career-best 2.46 in 1980.

Following his retirement in 1984, May briefly coached before moving to the corporate sector, working his way up at Circle K and later with British Petroleum. Despite his achievements on the field, May found greater satisfaction in the simple pleasures of life after baseball, including fishing and spending time with his family.

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