Career
He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals. May was known primarily for his defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff Originally a pitcher and an outfielder, May threw six no hitters in American Legion Baseball.
In 1961, he was contracted as an amateur free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who converted him to a catcher.
The scout who signed him for the Pirates organization was Syd Thrift, who would later serve as general manager of the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles. May began his playing career as a reserve catcher to Jim Pagliaroni, before becoming the Pirates" regular catcher from 1967 to 1969.
May was the Pirates" catcher on June 12, 1970, when pitcher, Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. By the 1969 season, Manny Sanguillén had taken over as the Pirates" regular catcher, and in December 1970, May was traded along with Fred Patek to the Kansas City Royals.