1975 Profile: Rudy May

"Rudy May is what cool is all about, both on and off the field. On the field is what the Yankees care most about, and the hard-throwing left-hander proved one of the more pleasant surprises in recent history when he was obtained in 1974 after many seasons with the Angels.
Low hit games became his specialty, and five of his eight late-season victories were four-hitters. At age 30, 'The Dude' may have just reached his pitching maturity, for few players have the knowledge of hitters that he has acquired since the Angels got him for Bo Belinsky back in 1964. Rival hitters know that when Rudy's right, he's one of the best - and he's been right more and more since he put on the Yankee uniform."

-The New York Yankees Official 1975 Yearbook

"Obtained at the trading deadline in 1974, Rudy immediately stepped into the starting rotation of the Yankees and demonstrated the pitching ability many always felt he had despite losing records with the Angels. He was the senior member of the Angels at the time of his trade, and the number two strikeout pitcher of all time for the Angel franchise.
Rudy debuted for the Yankees on a rain-swept Sunday afternoon at Shea (June 23) and stopped Detroit 4-1 with a 4-hitter. He went on to hurl five 4-hitters, a 2-hitter and a 6-hitter in winning eight of his 12 decisions as a Yankee. He allowed only 75 hits in 114 innings, or 5.9 per nine innings.
Injuries sidelined him twice, once placing him on the 21-day disabled list after a fall during a game in Kansas City. A pulled leg muscle also hampered him in August.
One of the hardest throwers on the Yankee staff, Rudy struck out 16 Minnesota Twins in one game in 1972. In his first major league start in 1965, he had a no-hitter against Detroit with two out in the eight.
Originally signed by the Minnesota Twins, he was drafted by the White Sox after the 1963 season and traded to Philadelphia in October 1964. In December of '64, the Angels obtained him in a deal involving Bo Belinsky.
Rudy, nicknamed 'Dude,' was raised in Oakland, where he played Babe Ruth and American Legion ball. He played baseball and football at Castlemont High School. A San Francisco Giant fan, he played against Willie Stargell and Tommy Harper in high school. Rudy later served in the National Guard."

-1975 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide