Lee May, a member of the original Big Red Machine, died Saturday at the age of 74, the Cincinnati Reds announced on Sunday.
A three-time All-Star with 354 career home runs, May started his 18-year career with the Reds, hitting 147 home runs in his first seven seasons in the big leagues.
His gaudy numbers as one of the premiere power hitters of his day are an afterthought to those who knew the Alabama native, who spent many years serving as an ambassador for the Cincinnati Reds at RedsFest, the Reds Caravan, fantasy camp and beyond.
“You never hear a bad word about him,” said former Reds infielder Doug Flynn, who never played with May, but got to know him later in life at fantasy camp.