Overview
- Dr. Jim Warren of Centra Heart & Vascular Institute informed the Yankees that Clay died at home in Lynchburg, Virginia, and cited heart and kidney issues as the cause.
- Clay helped power New York’s late‑1970s run, including 3 2/3 scoreless innings for a save in the 1978 ALCS opener against Kansas City after appearing in the 1977 World Series.
- His performance dipped the next season, drawing George Steinbrenner’s “morning glory” criticism, and he was later traded in the deal that brought Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry to the Yankees.
- Across five MLB seasons with the Yankees, Rangers, and Mariners, the Associated Press lists 111 appearances with a 10–24 record, three saves, and a 4.68 ERA, while another outlet reports 115 appearances.
- After baseball, Clay was convicted in separate cases for theft, forgery, and identity crimes, including a five‑year prison term in Florida from 2007 to 2012 reported by Heavy.