Marciano KOs Walcott
May 15 In his first world heavyweight title defense, Rocky Marciano KOs former champion Jersey Joe Walcott in the 1st round at Chicago Stadium
- May 16 Philadelphia Phillies Curt Simmons gives up a lead-off single, then retires next 27 in a row in 3-0 win over Braves at County Stadium in Milwaukee
- May 17 Yanks & Browns use record 41 players in a game
- May 22 Yankee Irv Noren hits into a triple-play, Yanks beat Wash 12-4
- May 23 78th Preakness: Eric Guerin aboard Native Dancer wins in 1:57.8
- May 25 Braves Max Surkont strikes out record 8 Reds in a row
Mount Everest Conquered
May 29 Edmund Hillary (NZ) and Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) are first to reach the summit of Mount Everest as part of a British Expedition
- May 30 1st major league network baseball game-Cleveland 7, Chicago 2
French Open Men's Tennis
May 30 French Championships Men's Tennis: Ken Rosewall of Australia wins his 2nd Grand Slam title, beating American Vic Seixas 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
French Open Women's Tennis
May 30 French Championships Women's Tennis: Maureen Connolly beats fellow American Doris Hart 6-2, 6-4 for the 2nd leg of her Grand Slam
- May 30 Indianapolis 500: Labelled "Hottest 500" due to high temperatures, Bill Vukovich wins first of 2 consecutive Indy 500 victories; Carl Scarborough drops out of race, and later dies of heat prostration
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions