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

Jerry May put together a solid nine-year run as a Major League Baseball catcher, moving through three different teams before calling it quits in 1973. Born in Staunton, Virginia, he really lived the classic story—a small-town kid grinding his way up from the minors to the big leagues. His journey carried him from the hills of Augusta County to stadiums all over America. He ended up catching some of the most unforgettable games from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

May played from 1964 to 1973, appearing in 556 games as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets. He wrapped up his career with a .234 batting average and 15 home runs. Sure, his offensive stats weren’t flashy, but May earned respect as a dependable defensive catcher who knew how to manage a pitching staff and call a smart game. In 1970, he caught Dock Ellis’s no-hitter for the Pirates, a game that’s become legendary for reasons that go beyond baseball.

May’s career tells the story of a hardworking pro who became the backbone of his teams. He wasn’t a superstar, but those steady players hold everything together, don’t they? He started as a high school standout and finished his career in San Diego, facing the ups and downs that players of his era knew all too well. After baseball, he went back to farming in Virginia, returning to his roots.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Jerry May was born December 14, 1943, in Staunton, Virginia. He grew into a standout two-sport athlete. His path from rural Virginia to professional baseball started at North River High School, where he shined in both basketball and baseball. Legendary scout Syd Thrift spotted his talent early on.

Family Background and Upbringing in Virginia

Jerry Lee May’s parents, Kit and Norine May, raised him in Staunton, Virginia. He spent his childhood in rural Augusta County, where farming wasn’t just a job—it was a way of life. That experience shaped his character and later defined his post-baseball years.

The May family had deep roots in the area. Jerry’s uncle, C.E. May, also grew up in Augusta County, specifically in Weyers Cave. C.E. May became a notable local figure, serving as mayor of Bridgewater from 1958 to 1968 and teaching at Bridgewater College.

Growing up in agricultural Virginia gave Jerry a strong work ethic. That upbringing stuck with him, showing up both on the baseball diamond and when he eventually returned to farming after baseball.

North River High School Athletics

At North River High School in Augusta County, May emerged as a two-sport star. He played basketball and baseball with a level of skill that set him apart.

May had some wild moments on the basketball court, including a night in 1960 when he dropped 77 points in a single game. That kind of performance showed off his athleticism and competitive edge.

On the baseball field, May pitched during his high school years. His pitching was so impressive that opponents felt like they were facing a pro. Ray Heatwole, a former coach who faced May while at Turner Ashby High School, remembered it that way.

As a teenager, May dominated in both sports. His success at North River High School made him one of the top athletes in the region.

American Legion Baseball Achievements

After his high school days, May kept sharpening his baseball skills in Augusta County’s American Legion program. He pitched there, facing tougher competition and getting more exposure.

He also played in local semi-pro leagues, including the Rockingham County Baseball League and the Valley Baseball League. He was a right-handed slugger in those leagues.

Playing against older, more experienced players helped May transition from high school to professional baseball. The higher level of competition prepared him for what was coming next.

His performances in these amateur leagues didn’t go unnoticed. Professional scouts in Virginia started paying attention.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

In 1961, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed May, ending his amateur career. Syd Thrift, a legendary scout and Virginia native, orchestrated the signing. Thrift would later become general manager of both the Pirates and the Orioles.

May once told reporters he’d written in a school project, even as a ninth-grader, that he wanted to be a Major League player. That childhood dream turned real when Thrift handed him a contract.

After signing, May started his professional career in the Appalachian League in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 1961. That was the first step on his climb through the minors.

Jumping from amateur to professional baseball was a big leap for May. He went from a small-town Virginia athlete to a real pro prospect.

Major League Baseball Debut and Transition

Jerry May’s journey to the majors kicked off with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1964. That marked the start of his decade-long career behind the plate. Switching from pitcher to catcher turned out to be a smart move, and he developed into a reliable defensive player for the Pirates.

MLB Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Jerry May made his Major League Baseball debut on September 19, 1964, for the Pittsburgh Pirates at just 20 years old. He got into his first game against the San Francisco Giants and had one at-bat, but no hit.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had signed May as an amateur free agent in 1961. Scout Syd Thrift, who later ran the Pirates and Orioles, was the one who noticed his potential.

May’s debut happened in the last weeks of the 1964 season. That timing gave him a chance to get a taste of the majors while the Pirates checked out his readiness for professional baseball.

He batted and threw right-handed, stood 6’2”, and weighed 190 pounds. That’s a solid build for a catcher.

Conversion to Catcher

May started out as a pitcher and outfielder before joining the Pirates. He’d thrown six no-hitters in American Legion Baseball, which says a lot about his arm and his competitive drive.

The Pittsburgh Pirates switched May to catcher after they signed him in 1961. That position change was a turning point for his professional baseball career.

His pitching background gave him a good understanding of what pitchers go through. May knew how to work with pitching staffs because he’d been on the mound himself.

Learning to catch at the pro level was no small thing. He had to pick up blocking pitches, framing strikes, and keeping runners honest.

Development in Early MLB Years

May started out as a backup catcher behind Jim Pagliaroni. That gave him time to learn the ropes and adjust to the majors.

By 1967, May had become the Pirates’ regular catcher. He held that spot through 1969, proving himself as a reliable defender.

His defense became his calling card in professional baseball. May finished his career with a .990 fielding percentage and threw out 42.57% of runners who tried to steal.

He was behind the plate for Dock Ellis’s legendary no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on June 12, 1970. That game really showed May’s knack for handling pitchers in big moments.

By 1969, Manny Sanguillén had become the Pirates’ main catcher. That change eventually led to May being traded to the Kansas City Royals in December 1970.

Tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jerry May spent seven years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1964 to 1970. That period really defined his career. He moved from backup to starter, caught a historic no-hitter, and built a reputation as a defensive specialist before getting traded.

Rise as Starting Catcher

May began his Pirates career backing up Jim Pagliaroni after his MLB debut on September 19, 1964. He’d been signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates in 1961.

He started out as a pitcher and outfielder, and even tossed six no-hitters in American Legion Baseball. Pirates scout Syd Thrift convinced him to switch to catcher after he joined the team.

By 1967, May had claimed the starting catcher job. He was the Pirates’ main catcher from 1967 through 1969, providing a steady defensive presence.

Collaboration with Pitching Staff

May earned a reputation for his defensive skills and his ability to guide a pitching staff. Pitchers valued his expertise behind the plate.

He finished his career with a .990 fielding percentage, showing just how reliable he was. May also threw out 42.57% of base runners trying to steal, which put him 11th all-time.

In 1970, he led all National League catchers with a 50% caught stealing rate. Even if his bat wasn’t hot, his glove made a difference.

Dock Ellis No-Hitter and Memorable Games

On June 12, 1970, May caught Dock Ellis’s no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. That game stands out as one of baseball’s most memorable no-hitters.

May’s game-calling and pitch framing helped Ellis get through nine hitless innings. That performance really showed how well May handled pressure.

The no-hitter is still a big part of Pirates history.

Key Trades and Team Changes

By 1969, Manny Sanguillén had taken over as the Pirates’ regular catcher, which cut into May’s playing time. That shift signaled the end of his run in Pittsburgh.

On December 2, 1970, the Pirates traded May, along with Freddie Patek and Bruce Dal Canton, to the Kansas City Royals. In return, Pittsburgh got Jackie Hernández, Bob Johnson, and Jim Campanis.

That trade wrapped up May’s most productive years in the majors. The Pirates were moving forward with younger catchers.

Kansas City Royals and New York Mets Years

May’s last seasons in the big leagues took him from the Pirates to Kansas City in a six-player trade. He finished his career with a short stint helping the Mets during their 1973 pennant run.

Role and Performance with the Royals

Jerry May joined the Kansas City Royals in December 1970 as part of a six-player trade that also sent shortstop Freddie Patek to the American League. That was a big change for a defensive-minded catcher who’d spent his whole MLB career with Pittsburgh.

May’s time with the Royals didn’t go as smoothly as he’d hoped, mostly because of injuries. In 1971, he played 71 games and hit .252. That was actually pretty decent for a guy known more for his defense.

The 1972 season was rougher. May played in only 53 games and his batting average dropped to .190. Injuries continued to slow him down in the American League.

Even with the struggles at the plate, May kept his reputation as a skilled defensive catcher. He still knew how to control the running game and work with pitchers.

Final MLB Season with the Mets

The New York Mets bought May’s contract from the Royals on May 14, 1973, during their National League pennant season. The Mets needed help behind the plate because Jerry Grote and Duffy Dyer were both hurt.

May debuted for the Mets at Dodger Stadium, catching for Tom Seaver and collecting two hits against the Dodgers. That game went 19 innings—the Mets finally won 7-3, though May and Seaver were long gone by then.

May’s short Mets stats:

• Games played: 4
• Batting average: .250 (2-for-8)
• Walks: 1

His time in New York was brief. The Mets released him on July 10, 1973, ending his stint with the club.

After that, May signed as a free agent with the Pirates on July 30, 1973, returning to where it all started. He never appeared in another major league game, which quietly closed the book on his professional baseball career.

Defensive Excellence and Catching Legacy

Jerry May built his ten-year MLB career on exceptional defensive skills behind the plate. He really stood out when it came to controlling baserunners and sticking to solid fielding fundamentals.

People around the league knew him as a defensive-minded catcher, and that’s what kept him in the lineup—even when his bat didn’t always do much.

Fielding Percentage and Defensive Skills

May called games with confidence and handled pitching staffs with a steady hand. He worked well with a variety of pitchers, and managers trusted him to keep things running smoothly behind the plate.

During his Pittsburgh Pirates years from 1964 to 1970, May’s fielding skills really showed. The team made him their regular catcher in 1967 and 1968, which says a lot about how much they counted on his defense.

Key defensive strengths included:

• Game calling and pitcher management
• Solid fundamentals behind the plate
• Reliable hands and blocking ability
• Strong throwing arm to second base

Even when his offense dipped, teams still wanted him for his glove and leadership. The New York Mets picked him up in 1973 to fill in at catcher when Jerry Grote and Duffy Dyer went down with injuries.

Baserunners Caught Stealing

No question, May’s most impressive skill was throwing out runners. He had a strong arm and a quick release, so runners thought twice before testing him.

This knack for catching would-be base stealers became one of his trademarks, especially when he started regularly. His ability to control the running game let pitchers focus on getting batters out instead of worrying about runners taking off.

Throwing statistics highlight his impact:

• Known for his “penchant for throwing out would-be base stealers”
• Quick release and accurate throws to second base
• Strong arm that deterred steal attempts

His caught stealing numbers made it clear—he could shut down an opponent’s running game. That kind of defense helped make up for his .234 career batting average and kept him valuable to any team.

He kept that throwing ability sharp throughout his career. That’s probably why he stuck around in the big leagues, even when his bat cooled off.

Offensive Contributions and Career Statistics

Jerry May played ten seasons and finished with a .234 batting average over 556 games. He didn’t hit for much power, but that was pretty typical for a glove-first catcher in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Batting Average and On-Base Percentage

May’s career batting average of .234 fell below the league average for his era. His best offensive season came in 1967, when he hit .271 with the Pirates over 110 games.

He put up a .307 on-base percentage, which showed he could work a walk now and then. May drew 157 walks in his career, so he had some plate discipline to go with his glove.

That 1967 season really stands out. He collected 88 hits in 325 at-bats and posted a .348 on-base percentage.

Things got rough at the end. In 1973, splitting time between Kansas City and New York, he hit just .158 in limited at-bats before calling it a career.

Home Runs and RBI Totals

May didn’t hit for much power—just 15 home runs in 1,527 at-bats. His career slugging percentage of .318 tells you he was more of a contact guy than a slugger.

He finished with 130 RBIs over his ten years. His best RBI year came in 1968, when he knocked in 33 runs for the Pirates, even though he hit only .219.

During his Pittsburgh years from 1964 to 1970, he produced most of his offense—100 of those RBIs came in that stretch.

His last three seasons with Kansas City and New York brought just 30 RBIs combined. The dip in his numbers played a big part in his decision to retire after 1973, at just 29 years old.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Untimely Death

Jerry Lee May always stayed close to his Virginia roots. After his baseball days wrapped up, he went back to farming near Staunton, Virginia.

His life ended far too soon at 52, after a tragic farming accident in 1996.

Family and Community Ties

Born in Staunton, Virginia on December 14, 1943, May never really left home behind. He kept strong ties to his hometown during his pro baseball career.

When he retired from the majors in 1973, he returned to Virginia and settled in the Swoope area, which is just a few miles from Churchville.

He got involved in his local community, preferring a quieter life. Coming home showed how much he valued the rural Virginia landscape where he grew up.

May liked the slower pace of small-town life and the privacy it brought. He seemed to appreciate the close relationships and the peace that came with living far from the spotlight.

Post-Retirement Activities

After his nine-year MLB career, Jerry May jumped into farming. He worked the land around Staunton for more than twenty years after leaving baseball.

He found satisfaction in agriculture, trading in the pressure of pro sports for a more peaceful routine.

Career Statistics Summary:

• Batting Average: .234
• Home Runs: 15
• RBIs: 130
• Games Played: 556
• Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets

Farming became his main focus during the 1980s and 1990s. He put in the work and took pride in what he grew.

Farming Accident and Passing

On June 30, 1996, Jerry May lost his life in a tragic farming accident at his property in Swoope, Virginia. He was just 52 years old.

He had been working on a mower when the accident happened. Farm equipment can be pretty dangerous, honestly, and agricultural work isn’t exactly forgiving.

Family and friends buried May in a small cemetery close to his home. The funeral brought together folks from his community, remembering both his athletic career and his years on the farm.

People in the local baseball scene, along with his neighbors, felt stunned by the news. May had kept a quiet life for years, so his sudden passing hit everyone hard.

He wasn’t just a skilled athlete, but someone who’d managed to carve out a new life after baseball. The accident really makes you think about how risky farming can be.