Jakie May

Frank Spruiell May

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 8", Weight 178 lb.

• Debut June 26, 1917
• Final Game September 25, 1932
• Born November 25, 1895 in Youngsville, NC USA
• Died June 3, 1970 in Raleigh, NC USA

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Biographical Information

Jakie May pitched 14 years in the big leagues, winning 72 and saving 19. He was twice third in the National League in strikeouts, but at the same time was frequently among the league leaders in hit batsmen. His last major league appearances were in the 1932 World Series with the Chicago Cubs.

May led the league in walks allowed once and wild pitches once. In spite of his distinct tendencies toward wildness, his career ERA was close to the league average over 14 years, with a peak in 1924 when, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, his 3.00 ERA was much better than the league's 3.87.

May pitched in the minors beginning in 1914, with a great year in 1922 when he went 35-9 for the Vernon Tigers in the Pacific Coast League. He also pitched for Vernon in 1923 - he had pitched five years for the St. Louis Cardinals before taking his two-year break with Vernon. May's stock was quite high after his 35-9 season but Vernon wanted more for him than the majors would pay so May had to have a less impressive year in 1923 before the Reds could afford him.

In The Cincinnati Reds by Lee Allen, Allen calls May "a fat, fun-loving southpaw who employed a side-arm delivery. He was blessed with a world of stuff . . ."

See also Cuban baseball card of May with Almendares

Notable Achievements

• NL Saves Leader (1924)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1927)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1927)

Related Sites

• Jakie May at the SABR Bio Project