My First Cards

On Friday September 24, 1982, Lee May finished his 18 year major league career in Oakland just after making the final out of the first half of the 2nd inning for the Royals.

He somehow managed to drive in more than 1400 runs while posting an on base percentage below .320. In fact, he’s one of only 10 players to ever accomplish 1000+ RBI’s with an OBP under .320. There’s something to be said for that, since it’s nearly impossibly to bring runners home when you can’t hit or walk well.

He really didn’t have an exciting season in ’82, only coming to the plate 107 times. He did hit better in those appearances than any other season in his career though, posting a whopping .393 OBP.

He really loved facing the Indians that year though, putting together a .458/.440/.792 batting line in 6 games against them. He smacked 2 of his 3 HR’s against them, and a .600 BABIP.

Until recently, I’d completely forgotten that Lee May even played in the 80′s. I think of him more as a late 60′s to mid-70′s player. You know…the guy who hit the ball to Brooks Robinson in the 1970 World Series when Robinson made that spectacular play in foul territory and still threw the runner out. He actually hit very well in that Series, which is sad, ’cause we only remember a time when he got out.