- Mar 7 Cincinnati Red Stockings, 1st pro BB team, begin 8-mo tour of Midwest & East
- Mar 9 32nd Grand National: George Stevens wins consecutive GN's aboard 7/2 favourite The Colonel; his 5th and final GN victory
- May 10 Jem Mace & defends his heavyweight crown against Irish champ Joe Coburn, it lasts 1 hr & 17 minutes, & neither is struck by a punch
- Jun 4 4th Belmont: W Dick aboard Kingfisher wins in 2:59.5
- Jun 14 All-pro Cincinnati Red Stockings suffer 1st loss in 130 games
- Aug 8 1st America's Cup: New York Yacht Club’s first defense of America’s Cup; 'Magic' (NYYC) defeats 'Cambria' (Royal Thames YC, England; finishes 8th) and 16 fellow defenders from NY Harbour to Sandy Hook Light Vessel on the Atlantic and return (38 miles)
- Sep 15 British Open Men's Golf, Prestwick GC: Tom Morris, Jr. wins third straight title; again beats Bob Kirk, this time by 12 strokes
- Nov 27 The New York Times dubs baseball "The National Game"
Baseball Players
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Tennis Champions