Athletes and Sports Stars Born in 1931

Ernie Banks (1931-2015)

Jan 31 American Baseball HOF shortstop, 1st baseman (14 x MLB All Star; NL MVP 1958, 59; Chicago Cubs), born in Dallas, Texas

Feb 1 Madeleine Berthod, Swiss alpine skier (Olympic gold women's downhill 1956), born in Château d'Oex, Vaud, Switzerland
Feb 3 Charanjit Singh, Indian field hockey captain (Olympic gold 1964, silver 1960), born in Una, Himachal Pradesh, India (d. 2022)
Feb 6 Fred Trueman, England cricket fast bowler (England 67 Tests, 307 wickets), born in Stainton, England (d. 2006)
Feb 9 Josef Masopust, Czech soccer midfielder (63 caps Czechoslovakia; Dukla Prague 386 games) and manager (Czechoslovakia, Dukla Prague, Zbrojovka Brno, Hasselt, FK Pelikán Děčín), born in Střimice, Czechoslovakia (d. 2015)
Feb 10 Dick Towers, American college football coach (Southern Illinois University 1967-73) and executive (AD Kansas State University 1981-85), born in Kansas City, Kansas (d. 2023)
Feb 11 Larry Merchant, American boxing author and analyst (International Boxing Hall of Fame; HBO, Showtime), born in Brooklyn, New York
Feb 12 Cliff Gustafson, American College Baseball HOF coach (College World Series 1975, 83; Collegiate Coach of the Year 1983; University of Texas, Austin), born in Kenedy, Texas (d. 2023)
Feb 14 Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, Canadian Hockey HOF right wing (11 x NHL All-star; 6 x Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers) and coach (NY Rangers, Atlanta Flames, Montreal Canadiens), born in Montreal, Quebec (d. 2001)
Feb 16 Bobby Collins, Scottish soccer midfielder (31 caps; Celtic, Everton, Leeds), born in Govanhill, Scotland (d. 2014)
Feb 16 Gamini Goonesena, Sri Lankan cricket leg-spinner (all-rounder for Ceylon, Notts), born in Colombo, Ceylon (d. 2011)
Feb 17 Buddy Ryan, American football coach (Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals), born in Frederick, Oklahoma (d. 2016)
Feb 18 Bob St. Clair, American NFL football player, 1953-63 (San Francisco 49ers), known as "The Geek", born in San Francisco, California (d. 2015)
Feb 24 Brian Close, cricketer (played for England between 1949 & 1976), born in Rawden, West Riding (d. 2015)
Feb 25 John Robin Stephenson, British military officer and cricket administrator (Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), 1987-94), born in Hove, Sussex, England (d. 2003)
Feb 26 Ally MacLeod, Scottish soccer manager (Scotland, Ayr United, Aberdeen, Motherwell, Airdrie, Q of the South) and left wing (Blackburn Rovers, Hibernian, Third Lanark), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 2004)
Feb 28 Peter Alliss, English golfer (Ryder Cup 1957 GB winners) and author, course designer and television presenter, commentator (BBC, ESPN, ABC Sports), born in Berlin, Germany (d. 2020)
Mar 1 Índio, Brazilian soccer striker (7 caps; Flamengo, Corinthians, Espanyol), born in Cabedelo, Brazil (d. 2020)
Mar 4 Bob Johnson, American collegiate and NHL ice hockey coach (University of Wisconsin Badgers, 1966-82; US Olympic team, 1976; Calgary Flames, 1982-87; Pittsburgh Penguins, 1990-91), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 1991)
Mar 6 Carlo Galli, Italian soccer striker (13 caps; Palermo FC, AS Roma, AC Milan), born in Montecatini Terme, Italy (d. 2022)
Mar 6 Ed Whitlock, British-Canadian runner, oldest person to run marathon under 4 hrs (at 85), born in London, England (d. 2017)
Mar 7 Wálter Taibo, Uruguayan soccer goalkeeper (30 caps; Huracán, C.A. Peñarol), born in Montevideo, Uruguay (d. 2021)
Mar 8 Neil Adcock, South African cricket fast bowler (26 Tests, 104 wickets @ 21.10), born in Cape Town, Western Cape (d. 2013)
Mar 11 Colin Jillings, New Zealand thoroughbred horse trainer (W. S. Cox Plate 1993 The Phantom Chance; 4 x Auckland Cup winners; 5 x NZ Derby winners), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2022)
Mar 18 Ian McMillan, Scottish soccer inside forward (6 caps; Airdrieonians 301 games, Rangers 127 games) and manager (Airdrieonians 1970-76, 1985–86), born in Airdrie Scotland (d. 2024)
Mar 22 Billy Vessels, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1952, University of Oklahoma), born in Cleveland, Oklahoma (d. 2001)
Mar 23 Yevdokiya Mekshilo, Soviet skier (Olympic gold 1964), born in Gorno-Altaysk, Russia (d. 2013)
Mar 23 Yevgeni Grishin, Russian speed skater (4 Olympic gold 1956, 60), born in Tula, Russia (d. 2005)
Mar 24 Thelma Kalama, American 4 X 100m relay swimmer (Olympic gold 1948)
Mar 25 Roger Zatkoff, American football linebacker (Pro Bowl 1954, 55, 56; First Team All Pro 1954, 55; Green Bay Packers), born in Hamtramck, Michigan (d. 2021)
Mar 28 Anatoly Lein, Soviet-American chess player (Grandmaster 1968; World Chess Hall of Fame), born in Leningrad, Russia (d. 2018)
Mar 31 Miller Barber, American golfer (11 PGA Tour; 3 US Senior Open titles), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 2013)
Apr 3 Johnny Nicholls, English football player, born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire (d. 1995)
Apr 9 Bill Gilbert, American sports and nature writer (Sports Illustrated, National Geographic), born in Kalamazoo, Michigan (d. 2012)
Apr 11 Lewis Jones, Welsh rugby union outside back (10 Tests Wales, 3 British Lions; Neath, Llanelli) and rugby league utility (2 Tests Wales, 17 Great Britain; Leeds, Wentworthville), born in Gorseinon, Wales (d. 2024)
Apr 13 Daniel "Dan" Gurney, American race-car driver, coach and team owner (All American Racers), born in Port Jefferson, New York (d. 2018)
Apr 14 Paul Masnick, Canadian NHL ice hockey player, 1950-58 (Stanley Cup, 1953 - Montreal Canadiens, and 2 other teams), born in Regina, Saskatchewan (d. 2024)
Apr 17 John Bartlett, Australian tennis player (Davis Cup capt-Britain), born in Woonona, New South Wales
Apr 18 Klas Lestander, Swedish biathlete (Olympic gold 20k 1960), born in Arjeplog, Sweden (d. 2023)
Apr 19 Alex Webster, American football coach (NY Giants), born in Kearney, New Jersey (d. 2012)
Apr 21 Morgan Wootten, American Basketball Hall of Fame coach (46 seasons DeMatha Catholic HS, Hyattsville, Maryland; National C'ships 1962, 65, 68, 78, 84), born in Durham, North Carolina (d. 2020)

Willie Mays (92 years old)

May 6 American Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder (24 x MLB All Star; 12 x Gold Glove Award; 660 career HRs, NL MVP 1954, 65; SF Giants, NY Mets), born in Westfield, Alabama

May 15 Ken Venturi, American golfer, broadcaster (US Open 1964), born in San Francisco, California (d. 2013)
May 17 Stan Albeck, American basketball coach (Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls), born in Chenoa, Illinois (d. 2021)
May 19 Bob Anderson, British racing driver (d. 1967)
May 20 Chiharu Igaya, Japan, slalom (Olympic silver 1956)
May 20 Ken Boyer, American baseball player (d. 1982)
May 26 Jim Frey, American MLB manager (Kansas City Royals, American League C'ship 1980; Chicago Cubs), born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 2020)
May 28 Raymond Miquel, chairman (Scottish Sports Council)
May 29 Osvaldo Héctor Cruz, Argentine soccer forward (22 caps; Independiente 235 games), born in Buenos Aires, Argentina (d. 2023)
Jun 1 Hal Smith, American baseball catcher (MLB All-Star 1957, 59, 59²; St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Barling, Arkansas (d. 2014)
Jun 1 Walter Horak, Austrian soccer striker (13 caps; Wiener Sport Club, Sochaux), born in Marchegg, Austria (d. 2019)
Jun 2 Larry Jackson, American baseball pitcher (5x MLB All-Star; MLB wins leader 1964; St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies), born in Nampa, Idaho (d. 1990)
Jun 3 Lindy Remigino, American athlete (Olympic gold 100m 1952), born in Elmhurst, Queens, New York (d. 2018)
Jun 7 Michel Le Milinaire, French soccer coach (Laval 1968-92, Rennes 1993-96), born in Kergrist-Moëlou, France (d. 2023)
Jun 9 Bill Virdon, American baseball outfielder, manager, coach (NL Rookie of the Year 1955; World Series 1960; Gold Glove 1962), born in Hazel Park, Michigan (d. 2021)
Jun 10 Jim Ferree, American golfer (1 x PGA Tour win; 2 x Senior PGA Tour wins), born in Pinebluff, North Carolina (d. 2023)
Jun 15 Bernice Gera, first woman umpire in US pro baseball, born in Ernest, Pennsylvania (d. 1992)
Jun 21 Enzo Maiorca, Italian free diver who set 17 world records, born in Syracuse, Sicily (d. 2016)
Jun 22 Ian Browne, Australian track cyclist (Olympic gold 2000m tandem 1956 [with Tony Marchant], born in Melbourne, Australia (d. 2023)

Billy Casper (1931-2015)

Jun 24 American golfer (US Open 1959, 66; US Masters 1970), born in San Diego, California

Jun 27 Eddie Kasko, American baseball infielder (MLB All Star 1961, 1961²; Cincinnati Reds) and manager (Boston Red Sox), born in Linden, New Jersey (d. 2020)
Jun 27 Grant Weatherstone, Scotland rugby union winger (16 caps; Edinburgh District), born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 2020)
Jun 28 Junior Johnson, American auto racer and team owner (Daytona 500 1960; NASCAR Hall of Fame), born in Wilkes County, North Carolina (d. 2019)
Jun 28 Lucien Victor, Belgian road racing cyclist, born in Oekene, Belgium (d. 1995)
Jul 4 Peter Richardson, British cricket batsman (34 Tests, 5 x 100, 9 x 50, HS 126; Worcestershire CCC, Kent CCC), born in Hereford, England (d. 2017)
Jul 4 Rick Casares, American NFL fullback (Chicago Bears), born in Tampa, Florida (d. 2013)
Jul 6 László Tábori, Hungarian middle/long distance runner (1,500m world record 1955), born in Košice, Slovakia (d. 2018)

Roone Arledge (1931-2002)

Jul 8 American sports broadcasting executive (President ABC Sports - Monday Night Football; ABC News), born in New York City [1] [2]

Jul 16 Norm Sherry, American baseball catcher (Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets) and manager (California Angels), born in New York City (d. 2021)
Jul 20 Phil Coles, Australian sports administrator (International Olympic Committee 1982-2011; AOC 1973-2011), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2023)
Jul 20 Tony Marsh, English auto racer (record 6 x British Hill Climb Championship), born in Stourbridge, England (d. 2009)
Jul 21 Gene Fullmer, American boxer (World Middleweight title 1957; NBA [WBA] World Middleweight title 1959-62), born in West Jordan, Utah (d. 2015)
Jul 23 Viktor Korchnoi, Russian-born chess grandmaster, born in Leningrad (d. 2016)
Jul 24 Alberto Orzan, Italian soccer defender (4 caps; Udinese, Fiorentina), born in San Lorenzo Isontino, Italy (d. 2022)
Jul 24 Éric Tabarly, French Navy officer and yachtsman (Ostar 1964, 76; Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race 1964), born in Nantes, France (d. 1998)
Jul 26 Takashi Ono, Japanese gymnast (Olympic gold horizontal bar 1956, 60, team 1960, 64, vault 1960), born in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, Japan
Jul 26 Telê Santana, Brazilian soccer winger (Fluminense FC 557 games) and manager (Brazil, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras, São Paulo), born in Itabirito, Brazil (d. 2006)
Jul 28 Johnny Martin, Australian cricket left-arm bowler (1960's), born in Wingham, Australia (d. 1992)
Jul 31 Bill Bidwill, American NFL team owner (St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals 1962-2019), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2019)
Jul 31 Nick Bollettieri, American tennis coach (Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles), born in Pelham, New York (d. 2022)
Aug 1 Cor van der Gijp, Dutch soccer striker (13 caps; SC Emma Dordrecht, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blauw Wit Amsterdam), born in Dordrecht, Netherlands (d. 2022)
Aug 1 Trevor Goddard, South African cricketer (South African opening batsman and opening bowler), born in Durban, Natal, South Africa (d. 2016)
Aug 2 Eddie Fuller, South African cricket fast bowler (7 Tests, 22 wickets, BB 5/66; Western Province, Cumbria CCC), born in Worcester, South Africa (d. 2008)
Aug 2 Viliam Schrojf, Slovak soccer goalkeeper (39 caps Czechoslovakia; Slovan Bratislava 240 games), born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (d. 2007)
Aug 4 Narendra Tamhane, Indian cricket wicket-keeper (1950's), born in Bombay, India
Aug 5 Billy Bingham, Irish soccer forward (56 caps Northern Ireland; Sunderland, Luton Town, Everton) and manager (Northern Ireland, Greece, Everton), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 2022)
Aug 9 Chuck Essegian, American MLB baseball player, born in Boston, Massachusetts
Aug 9 Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, American NFL football defensive lineman, 1953-62 (Baltimore Colts, and two other teams), and professional wrestler, Born in Uniontown, Alabama (d. 1963)
Aug 9 Mário Zagallo, Brazilian soccer forward (33 caps; FIFA World Cup 1958, 62; Flamengo, Botafogo) and manager (Brazil FIFA World Cup 1970; Copa America 1997), born in Atalaia, Brazil (d. 2024)
Aug 13 Norman Read, New Zealand racewalker (Olympic gold 50k 1956), born in Portsmouth, England (d. 1994)
Aug 18 Dick White, English footballer, born in Scunthorpe, United Kingdom (d. 2002)

Bill Shoemaker (1931-2003)

Aug 19 American Racing Hall of Fame jockey (8,833 career victories, Kentucky Derby 1955, 59, 65, 86), born in Fabens, Texas

Aug 20 Don King, American boxing promoter best known for his association with Mike Tyson and for his unusual hairstyles, born in Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 21 Pete Retzlaff, American football halfback, tight-end (5 x Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1958, 65 Philadelphia Eagles) and executive (GM Philadelphia Eagles 1969-72), born in Ellendale, North Dakota (d. 2020)
Aug 27 Joe Cunningham, American baseball utility (MLB All Star 1959, 59²; St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators), born in Paterson, New Jersey (d. 2021)
Aug 27 Sven Tumba, Swedish ice hockey center, football winger, golfer, course designer, born in Stockholm, Sweden (d. 2011)

Jean Béliveau (1931-2014)

Aug 31 Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame center (Hart Trophy 1956, 64; Art Ross Trophy 1956; Conn Smythe Trophy 1965; record 17 Stanley Cups), born in Trois-Rivieres Quebec

Sep 3 Dick Motta, American basketball coach (NBA Championship, Washington Bullets 1977-78), born in Midvale, Utah
Sep 4 Antoine Bonifaci, French soccer midfielder (12 caps; OGC Nice, FC Inter Milan, Bologna FC, Torino FC), born in Bezons, France (d. 2021)
Sep 7 Al McGuire, American basketball coach (Marquette), born in New York City (d. 2001)
Sep 13 Marjorie Jackson, Australian sprinter (Olympic gold 1952) and 33rd Governor of South Australia, born in Coffs Harbour, Australia
Sep 21 Ivan Toplak, Serbian soccer striker (1 cap; Red Star Belgrade) and manager (Red Star Belgrade, San Jose Earthquakes, Yugoslavia), born in Belgrade, Serbia (d. 2021)
Sep 26 Vijay Manjrekar, Indian cricket batsman (55 Tests, 7 x 100, HS 189no; Bombay, Bengal, Rajasthan, Maharashtra), born in Bombay, India (d. 1983)

Glenn Hall (92 years old)

Oct 3 Canadian Hockey HOF goaltender (7 x NHL First All-Star Team; Stanley Cup 1961 Chicago Black Hawks; butterfly goalkeeping), born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Oct 4 Basil D'Oliveira, English cricket all-rounder (44 Tests, 2,484 @ 40.06, 47 wickets), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 2011)
Oct 7 Cotton Fitzsimmons, American Basketball HOF coach (NJCAA C'ship 1966, 67, Moberly Area CC; Kansas State; NBA: Phoenix Suns; Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs), born in Hannibal, Missouri (d. 2004)
Oct 8 Anderl Molterer, Austrian alpine skier (Olympic silver Giant slalom, bronze Downhill 1956; Hahnenkamm Race 1959), born in Kitzbühel, Austria (d. 2023)
Oct 8 Bill Brown, Scottish soccer goalkeeper (28 caps; Dundee, Tottenham Hotspur), born in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland (d. 2004)
Oct 8 Pepper Rodgers, American football coach (University of Kansas, UCLA, Georgia Tech; USFL: Memphis Showboats), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2020)
Oct 12 Mohamed Soukhane, Algerian soccer defender (6 caps; Le Havre AC), born in Algiers, Algeria (d. 2021)
Oct 13 Eddie Mathews, American Baseball HOF third baseman (512 career HRs; 12 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1957, 68; Boston/Milwaukee Braves) and manager (Atlanta Braves 1972-74), born in Texarkana, Texas (d. 2001)

Raymond Kopa (1931-2017)

Oct 13 French soccer attacking midfielder (45 caps; Angers, Reims, Real Madrid; Ballon d'Or 1958; 'the Napoleon of football'), born in Noeux-les-Mines, France

Oct 14 Rinus Bennaars, Dutch soccer midfielder (15 caps; Feyenoord Rotterdam), born in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands (d. 2021)
Oct 18 Ed Biles, American football coach (College: Xavier 1962-68; NFL: Houston Oilers 1981-83), born in Reading, Ohio (d. 2020)
Oct 19 Atsushi Miyagi, Japanese tennis player (US Open doubles 1955 [with Kosei Kamo] first Japanese players to win a Grand Slam event), born in Tokyo, Japan (d. 2021)

Mickey Mantle (1931-1995)

Oct 20 American Baseball HOF outfielder (1956 Triple Crown; 20 x MLB All Star; 7 × World Series; 3 × AL MVP; NY Yankees), born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma

Oct 20 Zeke Bratkowski, American NFL quarterback and coach (Green Bay Packers), born in Danville, Illinois (d. 2019)
Oct 21 Jim Parks, English cricket wicketkeeper (46 Tests, 114 dismissals, 2 x 100, 9 x 50, HS 108no; Sussex CCC, Somerset CCC), born in Haywards Heath, England (d. 2022)

Oct 23 American Baseball HOF pitcher (9 x MLB All-Star; perfect game 1964; no-hitter 1958; Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies) and politician (US Senator Kentucky 1999-2011; US Representative 1987-99), born in Southgate, Kentucky

Oct 25 Jimmy McIlroy, Irish footballer and football manager, born in Lambeg, Ireland
Nov 1 Arne Pedersen, Norwegian soccer inside forward (40 caps; Fredrikstad), born in Fredrikstad, Norway (d. 2013)
Nov 3 Mustafa Dağıstanlı, Turkish freestyle wrestler (Olympic gold 57kg 1956, 62kg 1960; World C'ship gold 1954, 57, 59), born in Söğütpınar, Turkey (d. 2022)
Nov 6 Peter Collins, English auto racer (British GP 1958), born in Kidderminster, England (d. 1958)
Nov 9 Tommy Greenhough, English cricketer (English leg-spinner in 4 Tests 1959-60), born in Rochdale, Lancashire (d. 2009)
Nov 9 Whitey Herzog, American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1982, NL Manager of the Year 1985 St Louis Cardinals; Texas Rangers, California Angels, KC Royals), born in New Athens, Illinois (d. 2024)
Nov 16 Frank Bolling, American baseball second baseman (MLB All-Star 1961–62²; Gold Glove Award 1958; Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves), born in Mobile, Alabama (d. 2020)
Nov 20 Pete D. Anderson, American jockey (Belmont Stakes 1958) and trainer, born in Southampton, Long Island, New York (d. 2013)
Nov 21 Jim Ringo, American Pro Football HOF center (7 × First-team All-Pro; 10 × Pro Bowl; Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Buffalo Bills 1976–77), born in Orange, New Jersey (d. 2007)
Nov 23 Yevgeny Grischin, Russian 500m/1500m speed skater (Olympic gold 1956, 60), born in Tula, Soviet Union (d. 2005)
Nov 25 Dickie Jeeps, English rugby international/chairman Sports Council
Nov 26 Giuliana Chenal-Minuzzo, Italian downhill skier (Olympic bronze 1952, 60), born in Vallonara di Marostica, Italy
Nov 29 André Noyelle, Belgian cyclist (d. 2003)

Bill Walsh (1931-2007)

Nov 30 American Pro Football HOF coach (Super Bowl 1981, 84, 88; NFL Coach of the Year 1981; SF 49ers; Stanford University 1977–78), born in Los Angeles, California

Nov 30 Cotton Davidson, American football quarterback & punter (AFL All-Star 1961, 63; AFL All-Star Game MVP 1961; Baltimore Colts, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders), born in Gatesville, Texas (d. 2022)
Dec 4 Alex Delvecchio, Canadian ice hockey forward, coach, and executive (Stanley Cup 1952, 54-55, Detroit Red Wings 1,549 games, 1,281 points), born in Fort William, Ontario
Dec 4 Roy Kidd, American College Football HOF coach (Eastern Kentucky University 1964-2002, record 314–124–8), born in Corbin, Kentucky (d. 2023)

Tom Brookshier (1931-2010)

Dec 16 American football defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles) and broadcaster (CBS), born in Roswell, New Mexico

Dec 18 Gene Shue, American NBA basketball guard, 1954-64, 5X All-Star (New York Knicks, Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons, and 2 other teams), and NBA coach, 1966-89, 2X Coach of the Year (Baltimore/Washington Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, and 2 other teams), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 2022)
Dec 18 Noel McGregor, New Zealand cricket batsman (25 Tests, 1 x 100; Otago CA), born in Dunedin, New Zealand (d. 2007)
Dec 18 Norm Provan, Australian rugby league second rower (14 Tests; St. George RLFC NSWRL Premiers 1956-66; 13th RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, Parramatta, Cronulla), born in Urana, Australia (d. 2021)
Dec 25 Lefty Driesell, American Basketball HOF coach (first to win 100+ games at 4 different NCAA Div I schools: Davidson College, Uni of Maryland, James Madison, Georgia State), born in Norfolk, Virginia (d. 2024)