- Jan 2 Robin Marlar, English cricket spin bowler (Cambridge University CC, Sussex CCC) and journalist (The Sunday Times; "The Story of Cricket"), born in Eastbourne, England (d. 2022)
- Jan 4 Guido Messina, Italian road and track cyclist (World C'ship gold individual 4000m pursuit 1948, 53, 54, 55, 56; Olympic gold team 1952), born in Monreale, Italy (d. 2020)
- Jan 5 John McVay, American football coach (NY Giants 1976-78) and executive (AD Uni of Dayton 1972, 73; GM SF 49ers 1998-99), born in Bellaire, Ohio (d. 2022)
- Jan 5 Walt Davis, American athlete (Olympic gold high jump 1952) and basketball center (NBA C'ship 1956, 58; Philadelphia Warriors, St. Louis Hawks), born in Beaumont, Texas (d. 2020)
- Jan 6 Graeme Hole, Australian cricket batsman (18 Tests, 6 x 50; NSW CA), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1990)
- Jan 17 Don Zimmer, American baseball infielder (2 × All-Star, Chicago Cubs; World Series 1955, 59 LA Dodgers) and manager (NL Manager of the Year 1989 Chicago Cubs), born in Cincinnati, Ohio, (d. 2014)
- Jan 22 Galina Zybina, Russian discus thrower (15 world records between 1952-58), born in Leningrad, Soviet Union
- Jan 24 Maria Piątkowska, Polish athlete (WR 4 x 100m relay 1964), born in Goleni, Moldova (d. 2020)
- Jan 28 Naci Erdem, Turkish soccer centre-back (31 caps; Fenerbahçe), born in İstanbul, Turkey (d. 2022)
- Jan 31 Bill Watson, Australian cricketer (NSW & Australian opening batsman mid-1950s), born in Randwick, New South Wales, Australia (d. 2018)
- Jan 31 Christopher Chataway, British MP/athlete (world record 5k), born in Chelsea, London (d. 2014)
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
About January 1931
How Old? 93 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: No
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions