May 1961 in Sports History

Events in Sport

May 14 Stirling Moss wins the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix

May 20 86th Preakness: Johnny Sellers aboard Carry Back wins in 1:57.6
May 27 Fiorentina of Italy win 1st European Cup Winner's Cup against Glasgow Rangers 4-2 in Florence (2nd leg)
May 27 Ralph Boston of US, sets then long jump record at 27' ½"
May 27 60th Men's French Championships: Manuel Santana beats Nicola Pietrangeli (4-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2)
May 27 60th Women's French Championships: Ann Haydon beats Yola Ramirez (6-2, 6-1)

May 30 Indianapolis 500: A. J. Foyt wins in 3:35:37.540 (223.908 km/h)

May 31 European Cup Final, Wankdorf Stadium, Bern: Benfica beats Barcelona 3-2; first Portuguese team to reach final and win the tournament

May 1 Charlie O'Brien, American MLB catcher (pioneered hockey style catcher's mask; World Series 1995 Atlanta Braves), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 1 Steven Cauthen, American Hall of Fame jockey (Triple Crown 1978-Affirmed, Epsom Derby 1985, 87; Ascot Gold Cup 1984, 87), born in Covington, Kentucky
May 2 Peter Doohan, Australian professional tennis player, born in Newcastle, NSW (d. 2017)
May 3 Steve McClaren, English football manager, born in Fulford, York, England
May 4 Eugene Daniel, American football NFL center (Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens), born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
May 4 Luis Herrera, Colombian cyclist, born in Fusagasugá, Colombia
May 8 Riaz Poonawalla, cricketer (Indian 12th man/UAE bat 1994 ICC Trophy)
May 9 Rene Capo, Cuban half-heavyweight judoka (Olympics 1996), born in Pinal del Rio Cuba
May 10 Blyth Tait, England, NZ equestrian 3 day event (Olympic gold 1996)
May 10 Randy Cunneyworth, Canadian NHL left wing (Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers) and coach (Atlanta Thrashers, Montreal Canadiens), born in Etobicoke, Ontario
May 12 Thomas Dooley, German-American Soccer Player

May 13 Dennis Rodman, NBA forward (Chicago Bulls), born in Trenton, New Jersey

May 14 Alain Vigneault, Canadian ice hockey coach
May 16 Kevin Guidry, NFL tackle (Denver Broncos)
May 20 Vaughn Jefferis, New Zealand equestrian rider (World C'ship gold 1994, 98; Olympic bronze 1996), born in Huntly, New Zealand
May 23 Dave Babych, Edmonton, NHL defenseman (Vancouver Canucks)
May 23 Kevin Romine, baseball player
May 26 Stephen Pate, American golfer (6 PGA Tour titles, US Open 1988, US Masters 1990 3rd), born in Ventura, California
May 27 Jill Sterkel, US swimmer (Olympic bronze 1976, 84, 88)
May 27 John Lugbill, Wauseon Ohio, US canoeist/kayaker (Olympic-92)