Derrick May was in the midst of his best season in 1993. He played his most games, 128. He had his best batting average, .295. And he hit his most home runs, 10.One of those home runs came July 16 against Colorado. He also had four RBIs on the day.
"When you're swinging the bat well, good things like that will happen," May told The Associated Press afterward. "I'm seeing the ball good these days."
May was in his fourth major league season in 1993. He would end up playing in parts of 10 major league seasons and play in Japan before his time swinging the bat would be over.
May's career began in 1986, taken by the Cubs in the first round of the draft out of high school. May wasn't even 18 years old. But the Cubs wanted him. They weren't even sure he would last long enough for the team to select him.
The Cubs also noted his family connections. May's father was former major leaguer Dave May.
"He is an outstanding hitter and has power and terrific running speed," Cubs director of minor leagues and scouting Gordon Goldsberry told The Chicago Tribune after May's selection. "He also has great heritage. His background should give him a running start in his pro career."
It took the young May a few years to move up the Cubs' system, but he did. By 1989, he was at AA Charlotte. The next year, he hit AAA Iowa. And that September, he was in Chicago.
He played 17 games for the Cubs in 1990, getting a two-run double in one contest. He played in 15 more games for the Cubs the next year. He saw his first extended time with Chicago in 1992 - 124 games. He hit .274 with 8 home runs that year.
For 1993, May started off quickly. On April 9, he hit two home runs in Philadelphia, in front of 14 family members, including his parents. Later, in August, May hit a grand slam to give the Cubs the lead against Atlanta.
May stayed with the Cubs through 1994. He signed for 1995 with the Brewers. He then was traded to the Astros. With the Astros that year, he hit .301 in 78 games.
The next year, May played in another 109 games. Manager Terry Collins briefly moved May to the bench. Coming off the bench in one game that month, May hit another home run, a two-run shot.
Collins believed the veteran May was better in that situation. "A young guy wants to contribute because he wants to stay in there," Collins told The AP. "Derrick has patience and doesn't get intimidated."
May went on to play with the Phillies, Expos and, finally the Orioles, rounding out his major league career in 1999. May went on to play in Mexico in 2000, then jump to Japan.
In Japan, May played for the Chiba Lotte Marines. He was also in Japan after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
"What can I say? Right now I have to be here," May told The Japan Times after an annual Yankees Day celebration was cancelled days after the attacks. "But it's my job. I guess it would have been nice to have Yankees Day, but there are more important things going on in the world. . . . It's hard. I call my wife and kids every day."
May played in Japan through 2003. In July 2002, May had another two-home run effort, hitting two against the Daiei Hawks, according to The Japan Times.
May has gone on to be a hitting coach in the Cardinals system, starting with high-A Palm Beach in 2005 and continuing through this past season at AA Springfield. He has since been promoted to the Cardinals' minor league hitting coordinator for 2011.
- Chicago Tribune, June 3, 1986: Cubs Pick Teen With A Big Bat
- Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Associated Press, April 10, 1993: May's homers lift Cubs, 11-7
- Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Associated Press, July 17, 1993: Cubs, Sox post wins
- Youngstown Vindicator, Associated Press, May 18, 1996: Terry & Gerry make move that Astros can appreciate
- Japan Times, Sept. 17, 2001: Fans seek distraction at Fighters-M's game
Cards Featured: 341/880 - 38.8%
Players/Coaches Featured: 348
Made the Majors: 239 - 69%-X
Never Made the Majors: 109 - 31%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 102-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 94
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