Carlos May – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Carlos May put together a solid 10-year run in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1977. He played outfield and designated hitter, mostly with the Chicago White Sox, then finished with the New York Yankees during a time when the American League was figuring out the new designated hitter rule.

May’s career ran from 1968 to 1977. He racked up over 1,100 hits and kept a respectable .274 batting average in 1,165 games. His story, from young prospect to reliable big leaguer, gives a real look at the ups and downs of pro baseball in the late ’60s and ’70s.

Growing up in Chicago, he had to push through some early setbacks. He found his place in a changing game and managed to build a legacy that stuck around even after his playing days. His highlights, personal struggles, and life after baseball show a dedicated athlete who left a mark in a pretty fascinating era of baseball.

Early Life and Background

Carlos May was born on May 17, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in a baseball-loving family that would end up sending two brothers to the majors.

Family and Hometown

Carlos came from a tight-knit family in Birmingham. His dad worked in the steel mills and his mom took care of the kids. Baseball ran deep in the May household.

His younger brother, Lee May, made it to the big leagues too. Lee played first base and designated hitter, carving out his own successful career. The brothers eventually got to play against each other in the majors.

Birmingham had a real baseball culture. The city was big on amateur and semi-pro ball. Lots of kids there grew up dreaming about the majors.

Carlos showed natural athletic ability from early on. He played a bunch of sports, but baseball was always his favorite. His family backed him up and encouraged him to practice all the time.

High School Baseball Achievements

Carlos went to Parker High School in Birmingham. He became a standout on their baseball team. Scouts noticed his speed and hitting early in his high school days.

During his senior year, he batted over .400. He played center field and flashed some great defensive skills. That mix of speed and power turned him into an exciting prospect.

Scouts from several big league teams came to watch him play. The Chicago White Sox showed the most interest. His high school coach always talked up his work ethic and raw talent.

May graduated in 1966. The White Sox signed him right after, offering a contract that let him start his pro career immediately.

Professional Baseball Career

Carlos May played 10 seasons in the majors from 1968 to 1977, mostly as an outfielder and first baseman. He spent nearly all of it with the White Sox, then wrapped up in New York.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Carlos made his MLB debut with the White Sox on September 10, 1968, at just 19. He joined the team late in the season and made a quick impression as a young prospect.

The White Sox became his baseball home for nine seasons. He played in Chicago from 1968 to 1976 and earned a regular starting spot by ’69. Over those years, he grew into a steady offensive contributor.

In 1977, the White Sox traded him to the Yankees for Ken Brett. That move gave him a shot to play for a contender, but his time in New York was short. He played just one season before retiring.

Position and Playing Style

May mostly played left field and first base. People knew him for his solid hitting and some decent power. His batting stance was pretty standard, and he had good plate discipline.

As a lefty hitter, May did well against right-handed pitchers. His swing was smooth, and he could line the ball to all fields. He focused on making contact instead of swinging for the fences.

In the field, May was fine, but nobody would call him a defensive star. He had a decent arm and good instincts at first base. His glove was about average for that era.

May’s style fit what the White Sox wanted in the early ’70s. He was part of a team that valued fundamentals and steady offense.

Major Career Highlights

May’s best season came in 1972, when he hit .308 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs. That year really cemented his reputation as a reliable hitter for Chicago. He also posted a career-high .367 on-base percentage.

Over his career, he kept a .274 average with 90 home runs and 536 RBIs. He was at his best between 1970 and 1974, when he played regularly.

In 1969, May suffered a nasty hand injury during military reserve training. He hurt his right thumb, but managed to come back and keep playing. That accident happened early on, but he didn’t let it stop him.

May played in 1,165 games and picked up 1,127 hits. Teammates respected his professionalism and steady presence in the clubhouse.

Key Seasons and Achievements

Carlos May made a name for himself as a consistent performer. He earned recognition for his offense and durability, especially in the early ’70s when he made the All-Star team and put up his best numbers.

All-Star Appearances

Carlos earned his only All-Star nod in 1972 with the White Sox. That year, he hit .308 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs.

The 1972 All-Star Game happened in Atlanta on July 25. May represented the American League along with Dick Allen and Wilbur Wood.

His selection showed just how much he meant to the White Sox lineup. By then, fans at Comiskey Park really appreciated his steady play.

Notable Statistics

His top season was 1972, with a .308 batting average, 12 home runs, and 68 RBIs. That year, he was one of the American League’s most reliable contact hitters.

In 1973, he kept it going—batting .303 and hitting 20 homers, his career high for a single season.

May finished with a .274 lifetime batting average over 10 years. He collected 1,127 hits and 90 home runs in the bigs.

He once hit safely in 16 straight games during the 1974 season. In 1973, he drove in a personal best 96 runs.

Career Milestones

May reached 1,000 career hits on August 15, 1975, with a single to left in the fifth inning against the Oakland A’s.

He hit his first big league homer on April 8, 1969, off Mickey Lolich of the Tigers. That solo shot helped the Sox win 7-4.

May played over 100 games in seven seasons. His durability was a big part of his identity as a player.

He got his last hit on September 28, 1977, against the Royals. That year, he finished with a .254 average in his final season with the Sox.

Retirement in 1977

Carlos May wrapped up his baseball career in 1977 after parts of 10 seasons in the majors. His last year closed out a journey that started with so much promise in Chicago and ended more quietly in New York.

Final Season Overview

May spent his last season with the Yankees in 1977. He only played 21 games that year. His average dropped to .185, with just 5 hits in 27 at-bats.

He mostly served as a designated hitter and sometimes played outfield. The Yankees were chasing a championship that year, and May’s limited role showed both his fading skills and the team’s depth.

He played his final big league game in September 1977. At 29, May just couldn’t find the consistency he used to have. The Yankees didn’t offer him a new contract after the season.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

A few things pushed May to retire after ’77. His batting average had dropped off from his better years. Injuries piled up and took away some of his spark.

His power numbers fell, too—just one RBI in his last season. That was a big drop from his White Sox days, when he could hit double-digit homers.

That thumb injury from 1969 never really stopped affecting his swing. He couldn’t quite get back the bat control he had in the minors. Teams didn’t want to give him regular at-bats anymore.

Immediate Post-Retirement Activities

After baseball, May stayed connected to the game in a few ways. He coached youth teams and took part in old-timers’ games and clinics.

He also tried his hand at business outside of baseball. May invested in real estate and other ventures. The shift from pro athlete to regular life took some getting used to.

He kept up with former teammates and attended White Sox alumni events. Sometimes, he’d show up at autograph signings and memorabilia shows. Fans always remembered his comeback from a serious injury.

Legacy and Impact

Carlos May left a real impact on baseball with his steady career and a few groundbreaking achievements. The baseball world still recognizes what he brought to the game.

Influence on Baseball

May broke some barriers in his 11 years in the majors. In 1972, he became one of the first players to put his first name on his jersey, thanks to the White Sox.

He showed teams that versatile players could make a difference. May handled first base, outfield, and designated hitter duties with skill. That kind of flexibility became more important as the game changed.

Younger players watched his smooth left-handed swing and tried to pick up his approach. Over his career, May put up a .274 average, 90 home runs, and 536 RBIs—pretty steady numbers.

As an African American player in the ’60s and ’70s, May faced his share of challenges. He stayed focused on the field and set an example for minority players coming into the league.

Recognition and Honors

After retiring, Carlos May got plenty of recognition for his contributions. The White Sox honored him as part of their history, and he stayed involved with team alumni events.

His jersey number became a small tradition in Chicago. The team didn’t officially retire it, but it meant something to the organization. They appreciated his years of service.

Baseball historians often mention May’s role in the game’s evolution during the 1970s. His career bridged some important eras. Writers still talk about his style and steady play.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has acknowledged May’s place in baseball history. His career marked progress in the game’s integration. He helped open doors for future players.

Personal Life and Net Worth

After baseball, Carlos May kept a pretty low profile, focusing on family and business. His financial situation reflected the modest salaries of his era, which can’t really compare to today’s MLB paychecks.

Life After Baseball

May stepped away from pro baseball in 1977 after his last season with the Yankees. He moved back to Birmingham, Alabama, and focused on raising his family.

He got married and had kids, but didn’t talk much about his private life. Sometimes he played in old-timers’ games or showed up at baseball card shows.

Like a lot of players from his time, May worked different jobs after baseball. He didn’t have the kind of contracts that would set him up for life.

He stayed close to the game by coaching youth baseball and mentoring kids in his community. May always tried to pass along what he’d learned to the next generation.

Estimated Net Worth

Carlos May retired with a net worth that feels modest compared to what athletes rake in today. Back in the 1970s, most players pulled in somewhere between $20,000 and $100,000 a year.

Over his nine years in MLB, he probably made less than $500,000 in total. Sure, that sounds like a lot, but it just wasn’t enough to guarantee financial security for the long haul.

He missed out on the big pension plans and flashy endorsement deals that players now expect. After baseball, he earned his living through regular jobs and the occasional baseball-related appearance.

Nobody really knows the exact number because May always kept his finances private.