Mikhail Botvinnik (1911-1995)
May 5 Russian influential World Chess Champion, dies at 83
- May 6 Noel Brotherston, Irish soccer winger (27 caps Northern Ireland; Blackburn Rovers 317 games), dies of a heart attack at 38
- May 9 Percy Mansell, Rhodesian cricket all-rounder (13 Tests South Africa, 11 wickets, 2 x 50; Rhodesia), dies at 75
- May 17 Toe Blake, Canadian Hockey HOF left wing (Stanley Cup 1935 Montreal Maroons; 1944, 46 Montreal Canadiens) and coach (Stanley Cup 1956-60, 1965-66, 68 Montreal Canadiens), dies at 82
- May 18 Dorothy Poynton-Hill, American diver (Olympic gold 10m platform 1932, 36; silver springboard 1928, bronze 1936), dies at 79
- May 23 Dan Fortmann, American College/Pro Football HOF guard (3 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43 Chicago Bears; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 79
- May 25 Krešimir Ćosić, Croatian basketball player, dies at 46
- May 30 Ted Drake [Edward Joseph Drake], English footballer, dies at 82
Baseball Players
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Tennis Champions