Dustin May signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The deal was seen as pragmatic, quiet, and typical of an offseason. But behind that short-term contract was an emotional moment that made both Boston and St. Louis pause.
Before donning the Cardinals’ uniform, Dustin May sent a touching thank you to the Boston Red Sox fans — the team that supported him through a season that wasn’t perfect, but was very human.
“Thank you Boston for believing in me when I needed it most,” May shared. “I will carry that memory with me wherever I go.”
At 28, Dustin May just finished the 2025 split season between the Dodgers and the Red Sox — a year in which he threw the most innings of his career: 132.1 IP, playing in 23 games, but also had to accept some unpleasant numbers: ERA 4.96, WHIP 1.42.
No All-Stars. No spectacular highlights.
Only patience, perseverance, and getting back up after defeat.
And it was in Boston that May found something more important than ERA: belief.
“I know the numbers don’t speak for me,” he admitted. “But you guys are still there. Still cheering. Still calling my name.”
Joining the Red Sox mid-season, Dustin May didn’t arrive as a star. He came as a pitcher rediscovering himself after injuries and career upheavals.
Fenway Park isn’t an easy place to start over. But Boston chose patience.
A Red Sox coaching staff member shared:
“We don’t just look at ERA. We look at how he prepares, how he takes responsibility after each game.”
For the fans, May doesn’t need to be perfect to be respected. He just needs to be genuine.
Now, Dustin May joins the St. Louis Cardinals on a one-year contract — short, obviously, with no promise of long-term success.
But that’s precisely what makes this trade noteworthy.
The Cardinals aren’t looking for a perfect ace. They’re looking for a pitcher who can handle pressure, is motivated to prove his worth, and is willing to work.
“I’m coming to St. Louis with gratitude — and with desire,” May said. “I haven’t forgotten Boston, but I’m not looking back either.”
Dustin May’s tribute isn’t a PR statement. It’s a fitting conclusion to a short but emotional chapter.
Boston gave him the opportunity to stand on the mound when he needed it most.
St. Louis gave him a chance to start over.
And between those two cities was a pitcher who understood that an MLB career wasn’t just about reaching the top—it was a journey of survival, learning, and gratitude.
Dustin May left Boston not as a winner, nor as a loser. He left as someone who had been accepted.
And when the Cardinals offered him a one-year contract, it wasn’t just a signature.
It was a gamble.
For May, it all began with the simplest thing—a sincere thank you… before he stepped onto the mound, once more, to prove he was still there.
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