74th Kentucky Derby
May 1 74th Kentucky Derby: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Citation to become first 4-time Derby winning jockey
- May 15 73rd Preakness: Eddie Arcaro wins aboard Citation, 2nd leg of successful Triple Crown
Sports History
May 16 First chess world championship since WWII; Russian player Mikhail Botvinnik wins a 5-player tournament to begin 20-year Russian domination
- May 20 Cleveland Indians tie AL record of 18 walks (beat Red Sox 13-4)
DiMaggio Hits for Cycle
May 21 NY Yank Joe Dimaggio hits for cycle (single, double, triple, HR)
- May 23 Future Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder Joe DiMaggio hits 3 consecutive HRs as the New York Yankees edge the Indians, 6-5 at Cleveland Stadium
30th PGA Championship
May 25 30th PGA Championship Men's Golf, Norwood Hills CC: Ben Hogan scores a convincing 7 & 6 win over Mike Turnesa in the Tuesday final for his 2nd PGA crown
Sports History
May 27 Hank Greenberg buys an interest in the Cleveland Indians
52nd French Championships
May 29 52nd French Championships Men's Tennis: Frank Parker wins 1st of 2 straight French titles; beats Jaroslav Drobný 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 8-6
- May 29 French Championships Women's Tennis: Belgium-born but representing France, Nelly Landry beats American Shirley Fry 6-2, 0-6, 6-0 for her lone major title
Baseball Record
May 30 Schenectady Blue Jays Tommy Lasorda strikes out 25 in 15-inning game
32nd Indianapolis 500
May 31 32nd Indianapolis 500: For the second straight year, Blue Crown Spark Plug teammates Mauri Rose and Bill Holland finish 1st-2nd; Rose the second driver to win the 500 in consecutive years
- May 31 Tommy Lasorda strikes out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers (in 15 innings)
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions