Hank Goldberg, a familiar face on ABC and ESPN horse racing and NFL telecasts and a longtime sports radio icon in South Florida, died in Las Vegas on Monday, his 82nd birthday. Known throughout the racing and sports world as “The Hammer,” Goldberg had chronic health problems in recent years that required regular dialysis treatments.
A native of New Jersey, where his father, Hy Goldberg, was a well-known sports columnist at the Newark Evening News for more than 30 years, Goldberg attended Duke University and graduated from New York University. He began working in advertising in New York but would move to Miami where he got his first radio job in 1978 on the recommendation of radio/TV legend Larry King (who shared Goldberg's fondness for the races).
While in Miami, Goldberg picked up a second job working as a ghostwriter for Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, who had a popular thrice weekly syndicated column and was a pioneering prognosticator on the NFL on CBS pre-game shows. Jimmy The Greek also worked handicapping major races on CBS TV.
Goldberg's Miami radio talk show was a staple for South Florida sports fans and he added work as color commentator for the NFL's Miami Dolphins for more than a decade.
Television came calling and Goldberg joined ESPN to provide handicapping opinions on NFL pre-game shows. He also did regular appearances previewing NFL games on ESPN's SportsCenter. When the cable network expanded its horse racing coverage he was a natural fit, working for more than 20 years providing picks and analysis.
Several years ago, when his health challenges intensified, Goldberg moved to Las Vegas, where his younger sister, Liz, resides. He continued to work, doing picks on ESPN's Daily Wager sports gambling program and on CBS Sports HQ.
Goldberg's sister, who assisted him on his medical needs, is his only known surviving family member.
Remembering late great Hank Goldberg, via @JeremySchaap. pic.twitter.com/ezRgnj20tK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 4, 2022
Hank Goldberg died today-on his birthday.
We can honor him with our best stories of what we shared with him.
I'm gonna play some races with him in mind & send the winnings to voter registration groups. Hank bet on both.
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) July 4, 2022
Many tributes here to Hammerin' Hank – and rightly so. He was a pioneer in bringing prognostication to mainstream on-air shows. I've mentioned this story before, but its only appropriate for me to share again today…
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) July 4, 2022
RIP Hank Goldberg pic.twitter.com/F99CK8GMr5
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Neil Rogers (@NeilRogersRadio) July 4, 2022
After visiting wardrobe for 1973-era clothing, we “extras” on “Secretariat” got our photo taken with Diane Lane. @hammeringhankg “volunteered” to sit next to her. LOL!
@ByTimLayden @goldberg_liz pic.twitter.com/Bh3PZbvSk2— Jay Privman (@DRFPrivman) July 4, 2022
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