You have to wonder what could have been with May, since he was already a feared slugger putting together a very nice career before he was traded to the Astros as part of the Joe Morgan trade before the 1972 season opened up.
Would the "Big Red Machine" have happened? If so, would May's legacy on the diamond have been elevated to the point of true stardom?
He put up big seasons with the Reds, the Astros, and then the Orioles before ending his career after two partial seasons with the Royals in 1982.
His total numbers are very good, especially for a guy who played the bulk of his career in the "dead" late-60's/early-70's: 959 runs, 2031 hits, 354 home runs and 1244 runs batted in.
He was also named to three All-Star teams while getting MVP consideration in six seasons between 1969 and 1976, finishing as high as ninth twice.
His last year in Cincinnati, 1971 was killer: 39 homers with 98 R.B.I.'s, 85 runs scored and a .278 average to compliment the likes of Pete Rose, Tony Perez and Johnny Bench.
Nevertheless, the swap to get Joe Morgan was key to the Cincinnati Reds and their “Big Red Machine” run, while May had nothing to be ashamed of to say the least.
