New York Yankees legend Rudy May dies at the age of 80 – just hours before the start of the World Series

New York Yankees legend Rudy May has died at the age of 80.

It comes just hours before Game 1 of the World Series, in which the Yankees play the Los Angeles Dodgers in California.

May, a pitcher, played in Major League Baseball for 16 years. He spent seven seasons over two terms with the Yankees and also represented the California Angels, Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles.

According to the New York Post, May died on Saturday. A cause of death has not yet been announced.

May had a 152-156 record over his career, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1,760 strikeouts.

May pitches against Jerry Terrell of the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium in April 1976

May was signed by the Yankees from the Angels in June 1974.

After leaving for Baltimore in 1976, the left-handed pitcher returned to the Bronx as a free agent in 1979 after leaving the Expos.

He played on the Yankees team that was defeated in both the 1981 World Series and the 1980 American League Championship Series. He even had the best ERA in the American League in 1980 with 2.46.

Over the course of his Yankee career, he posted a 54-46 record in seven seasons and finished with a 3.12 ERA.

May acknowledged that he was no longer able to play in spring training in 1984 and decided to retire.

After a brief stint as a high school coach in California, May launched a career in marketing consulting at Circle K and British Petroleum.