See also: 1946 in sports, other events of 1947, 1948 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'.

Auto racing

• Wally Parks founds the Southern California Timing Association , to better organize drag racing.

Baseball

• Hall of Fame election: The writers' election is successful for the first time since 1942, with voters choosing Carl Hubbell, Frankie Frisch, Mickey Cochrane and Lefty Grove. Selections of 19th century players are delayed once again.
• April 15: Jackie Robinson, an African-American, takes the field at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers Major League Baseball team, breaking that sport's color line.
• World Series: The New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4 games to 3.

Boxing

• Rocky Graziano defeats Tony Zale to win boxing’s world middleweight championship.

Football (American Football)

• Cleveland Browns 14-3 New York Yankees for the All-America Football Conference title.

• Chicago Cardinals 28-21 Philadelphia Eagles for the National Football League title.

Football (Australian Rules)

• Victorian Football League
  • Carlton wins the 51st VFL Premiership (Carlton 13.8 (86) d Essendon 11.17 (83))
  • Brownlow Medal awarded to Bert Deacon (Carlton)

Football (Soccer)

• England - FA Cup: Charlton Athletic wins 1-0 over Burnley after extra time

Snooker

• World Snooker Championship: Walter Donaldson beats Fred Davis 82-63.

Births

• January 31 - Nolan Ryan, Baseball Hall of Famer
• February 5 - Darrell Waltrip, automobile racer, broadcaster
• February 13 - Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University basketball coach, Basketball Hall of Famer
• March 6 - Dick Fosbury, athlete (high jump)
• March 7 - Walter Röhrl , car racer
• April 16 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Basketball Hall of Famer
• April 26 - Donna DeVarona , Olympic gold medalist in swimming, sports journalist, sports activist
• June 22 - Pete Maravich, Basketball Hall of Famer (+ 1988)

Deaths

• January 20: Josh Gibson, famed Negro League slugger, dies of a brain tumor at age 35.