Merrill May
Born: 1/18/1911 in Laconia, IN, USA
Died: 9/4/2000 in Corydon, IN, USA
MLB Debut: 1939-04-21 | Final Game: 1943-10-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Merrill Glend May
Biography
Merrill May was a professional baseball player born in 1911, who played in Major League Baseball from 1939 to 1943. Primarily serving as a position player, May appeared in a total of 665 games throughout his career. He showcased his offensive skills with 610 hits, accumulating a batting average of .275. While power was not his defining trait, he managed to hit 4 home runs and drive in 215 runs during his time in the league, also demonstrating speed on the bases with 13 stolen bases to his credit.
May's career was highlighted by an All-Star selection, underscoring his impact on the field during the early 1940s, a period marked by the challenges of World War II that affected many athletes. His contributions to the game were significant, particularly as he played during an era that was transitioning in terms of talent and style, moving away from the deadball era toward a more offense-oriented game. Despite the limited power numbers, May's consistency and ability to connect with the ball made him a valuable player for his teams. His legacy remains a testament to the skilled athletes who navigated the complexities of baseball during a transformative period in the sport's history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 665 | 2215 | 210 | 610 | 102 | 11 | 4 | 215 | 13 | 261 | 121 | 0.275 | 0.354 | 0.337 | 0.691 | -162.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PHI | NL | 135 | 464 | 49 | 133 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 62 | 4 | 41 | 20 | 0.287 | -288.8 |
| 1940 | PHI | NL | 136 | 501 | 59 | 147 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 48 | 2 | 58 | 33 | 0.293 | 239.5 |
| 1941 | PHI | NL | 142 | 490 | 46 | 131 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 55 | 30 | 0.267 | -507.6 |
| 1942 | PHI | NL | 115 | 345 | 25 | 82 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 51 | 17 | 0.238 | -334.0 |
| 1943 | PHI | NL | 137 | 415 | 31 | 117 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 48 | 2 | 56 | 21 | 0.282 | 728.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 646 | 0 | 737 | 1391 | 84 | 114 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PHI | 3B | 132 | 0 | 153 | 263 | 19 | 28 |
| 1940 | PHI | 3B | 135 | 0 | 139 | 297 | 21 | 12 |
| 1940 | PHI | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1941 | PHI | 3B | 140 | 0 | 194 | 324 | 15 | 31 |
| 1942 | PHI | 3B | 107 | 0 | 109 | 227 | 13 | 23 |
| 1943 | PHI | 3B | 132 | 0 | 142 | 280 | 16 | 20 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 648 |
| Shortstop | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington | IN | 1930, 1931, 1932 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 29th | 3.0 | 336 | 0 |