Athletics
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947–), NBA player
- Moe Berg (1902–72), Major League Baseball baseball player, and spy (New York City)
- Sue Bird (1980–), Women's National Basketball Association point guard, 2x Olympic champion, 4x All-Star (Seattle Storm) (Syosset)
- Andy Bloom (born 1973), Olympic shot putter
- Al "Bummy" Davis (1920–45), professional boxer (Brooklyn)
- Shay Doron (1985–), professional basketball player
- Julius Erving (1950–), NBA player
- Mick Foley (1965–), professional wrestler and author
- Whitey Ford, baseball player
- John Franco, baseball player
- Lou Gehrig (1903–1941), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Sid Gordon (1917–75), 2-time All Star major league baseball player
- Hank Greenberg (1911–1986), Baseball Hall of Famer (Greenwich Village)
- Seymour H. Knox III (1926–1996), co-founder of the Buffalo Sabres
- Sandy Koufax (1935–), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Scott Lipsky (1981–), tennis player
- Boyd Melson, boxer
- Joe Nathan (1974–), baseball player (Minnesota Twins), (born in Pine Bush)
- Beth Phoenix (1980-), professional wrestler, (born in Elmira, New York)
- A. J. Pierzynski (1976–), baseball player (Chicago White Sox) (born in Bridgehampton)
- Lipman Pike (1845–93), Major League Baseball baseball player, 4x home run champion (New York City)
- Alex Rodriguez (1975–), MLB player
- Carl Yastrzemski (1939–), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Jon Jones (1987-), MMA UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, the youngest UFC title holder in history
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