In 1969 Lou Piniella won the MLB Rookie of the Year award but Carlos May was selected The Sporting News Rookie of the Year. Despite the fact that his season ended prematurely when he lost his thumb as a Marine Reserve, he put up better numbers than Lou Piniella. Their batting averages were nearly identical, .282 for Sweet Lou and .281 for Carlos. But May had a much better on base percentage because of a better strike out to walk ratio. He also had more power hitting 18 homers to Piniella's 11 despite playing in 35 fewer games. May was also the only Rookie of the Year candidate to play in the All Star game. He struck out on Hall of Famer Phil Niekro's knuckleball. Meanwhile his brother, Lee May of the Reds, was playing 1st base and trying to hide his laughter.
Is there a good picture of Carlos May with the Marines? A Topps card of him with the Marines would be a good 1969 Topps "In Honor" of him losing his thumb will serving his country.
ReplyDeleteI admit, it would just make for a cool looking card.
Does anyone know where the photo was taken? Is it Comisky?
ReplyDeletePayne Park in Sarasota. The White Sox spring training facility.
ReplyDeleteThis photo isn't taken in Comiskey (always look for the arched windows and yellow railings in the background if you want to know a pic is taken in Comiskey). This picture looks like it might have been taken in a spring training stadium. There isn't an upper deck above those press windows.
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