Events in Sport
- Dec 6 MLB American League grants American entertainer and businessman Gene Autry a franchise: Los Angeles Angels
- Dec 8 MLB expansion team Los Angeles Angels sign a 4 year lease to use Dodger Stadium
- Dec 13 Italy beats US in Davis cup (1st time in 24 years US not in finals)
Football Awards
Dec 13 Ballon d'Or: Barcelona midfielder Luis Suárez is named best football player in Europe ahead of Real Madrid's Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás and Hamburg striker Uwe Seeler
NFL Championship
Dec 26 National Football League Championship, Franklin Field, Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles beat Green Bay Packers, 17-13; lone playoff defeat for Packers coach Vince Lombardi before Packers establish dynasty
Birthdays in Sport
- Dec 1 Andrea Ehrig-Mitscherlich, German [GDR] speed skater (Olympic gold 3,000m 1984), born in Dreden, Germany
- Dec 3 Igor Larionov, Russian Hockey Hall of Fame center (Stanley Cup 1997-98, 2002, Detroit Red Wings; Olympic gold 1984, 88), born in Moscow, Russia
- Dec 3 Mike Ramsey, American ice hockey defenceman (Olympic gold 1980; NHL All-Star 1982-83, 85-86), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Dec 4 Glynis Nunn, Australian athlete (Olympic gold heptathlon 1984), born in Toowoomba, Australia
- Dec 5 Andrzej Chylinski, American 50k walker (Olympics 26th-96), born in NYC, New York
- Dec 5 John Felton, Australian canoeist (Olympics 1996), born in Kyogle, Australia
- Dec 6 Jasmina Perazić, Serbian-American basketball guard and forward (NY Liberty), born in Novi Sad, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia
- Dec 9 Juan Samuel, Dominican-American baseball infielder (NY Yankees, Blue Jays), manager and coach, born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
- Dec 10 Paul Assenmacher, American MLB pitcher (Cleveland Indians), born in Detroit, Michigan
- Dec 11 Mary Beth Zimmerman, American golfer (4 LPGA Tour titles), born in Mount Vernon, Illinois
- Dec 12 Amal Silva, Sri Lankan cricketer (Sri Lankan wicket-keeper in 9 Tests 1983-88), born in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
- Dec 13 Randy Stoklos, American beach volleyballer (first player to earn $1m; 5 x World C'ship [with Sinjin Smith]), born in Pacific Palisades, California
- Dec 13 Richard Dent, American football defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles), born in Atlanta, Georgia
- Dec 16 Pat Van Den Hauwe, Belgian footballer
- Dec 17 Moreno Argentin, Italian cyclist
- Dec 20 Piet Keur, Dutch soccer player and trainer (SC Heerenveen, AZ), born in Zandvoort, Netherlands
- Dec 21 Andy Van Slyke, American baseball player, born in Utica, New York
- Dec 21 Michael Swain, American judoka (Olympic bronze 88), born in Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Dec 21 Roger McDowell, American baseball pitcher (NY Mets, Baltimore Orioles), born in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Dec 22 Tyrell Biggs, American super HW boxer (Olympic gold 1984), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Dec 28 John Fitzgerald, Australian tennis player (9 x Grand Slam doubles titles; ATP Doubles Finals 1991; Davis Cup 1983, 86), born in Cummins, Australia
Ray Bourque
Dec 28 Ray Bourque, Canadian NHL defenseman (Team Canada, Boston Bruins), born in Saint-Laurent, Quebec
David Boon
Dec 29 David Boon, Australian Cricket Batsman (107 Tests, 7,422 runs @ 43.65; 21 x 100s; 181 ODIs), born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Weddings in Sport
Fran Tarkenton
Dec 22 NFL quarterback Fran Tarkenton (20) weds Anna Elaine Merrell at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia
Deaths in Sport
- Dec 10 Ernie Quigley, Canadian Basketball HOF official (St. Mary's College, Kansas Uni), basketball umpire (1936 Olympics), MLB umpire (6xWorld Series) & football referee, dies at 80