A left-handed outfielder who had been a bench piece for the powerhouse Orioles, Dave May was traded to Milwaukee in May of 1971, and the move proved beneficial to both parties.
May’s time as a Brewer was truly remarkable, marking a peak in his career during the expansion era. After establishing himself as a solid player between 1971 and 1972, 1973 became a standout year for him. That summer, he delivered an outstanding season, batting .303 and hitting a career-high 25 home runs. He led the American League in Total Bases (295) and Win Probability Added (WPA), and totaled 189 hits. His impressive performance earned him an All-Star selection, and he finished eighth in the MVP voting, reaching a true highlight of individual achievement.
Although he was a key part of the young franchise's foundation, his first Milwaukee chapter came to a close when he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. This trade marked a historic moment in baseball, as May was the main player exchanged for the legendary Hank Aaron, bringing "The Hammer" back home to Milwaukee to finish his career.
May returned to Milwaukee via trade from the Rangers to provide veteran leadership during the club's first pennant push. Used in a specialized, high-leverage bench role, he reached 652 hits with the Brewers before a late-August trade to Pittsburgh ended his time in the American League. A member of the Brewers Wall of Honor, May had 652 hits, 83 home runs, and a .267 batting average.
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