Hank Goldberg, a longtime South Florida radio host and TV personality, passed away Monday in his Las Vegas home. He died on his birthday at the age of 82 after a long battle with kidney disease.
A staple of the sports talk industry in Miami, Goldberg began work in the 1970s as the color analyst for the Miami Dolphins from 1978-1992. He spent that time covering the franchise’s golden era under legendary coach Don Shula, with whom he formed a close relationship.
Goldberg, who got his start ghost-writing Jimmy The Greek’s syndicated gambling column, broke Shula’s retirement story after the 1995 season.
Goldberg — whose nickname was the “Hammer” — was part of the Dolphins radio team during the franchise’s Perfect Season in 1972.
Goldberg also went on to spend nine years at local TV station, WTVJ, from 1983-1992.
He became best-known for hosting his radio talk show on WQAM from 1993-2009. At the same time, in 1993, Goldberg began to work for ESPN covering the Dolphins beat in addition to serving as the network’s horseracing handicap expert.
Goldberg’s father, Hy, was a legendary Newark sports writer who covered the New York Yankees.
Goldberg, who was waiting for a kidney transplant, had his right leg amputated below the knee last October due to complications. He was undergoing dialysis three times a week.
Goldberg is survived by his sister. Arrangements for a memorial service have yet to be announced.
