- Dec 1 Gene Baker, American baseball infielder (MLB All-Star 1955; World Series 1960; Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates), dies at 74
- Dec 1 William "Pop" Gates, American Basketball Hall of Fame guard and coach (Harlem Globetrotters "Legends" Ring 1995), dies at 82
- Dec 3 Horst Mahseli, Polish soccer striker (9 caps; Legia Warsaw), dies at 65
- Dec 4 Sylvester Clarke, West Indian cricket fast bowler (11 Tests, 42 wickets), dies from a heart attack at 44
- Dec 12 Joe Benner, American pistol shooter and coach (Olympic gold 1952; World C'ship gold 1949, 52, 54), dies at 82
- Dec 19 Bal Dani, Indian cricket all-rounder (1 Test, 1 wicket; Maharashtra, Services), dies at 66
- Dec 24 Bill Bowerman, American track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, dies at 88
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
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Tennis Champions