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Sports

Hank Goldberg, legendary South Florida radio host and ESPN analyst, dies at 82

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, his family confirmed.A staple of the sports talk industry in Miami for more than 25 years, 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.Advertisement[ DAVE HYDE: Life was loud with Hank Goldberg — and South Florida was better for it ]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.AdvertisementGoldberg also went on to spend nine years at local TV station, WTVJ, from 1983-1992.Longtime South Florida sports radio host and ESPN analyst Hank Goldberg died at 82 on Monday. (Eliot J. Schechter, Sun Sentinel file)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 handicapping expert. He worked at ESPN as an NFL reporter and NFL handicapping expert for two decades.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.

Sports

Chicago White Sox get their closer back as Liam Hendriks comes off the IL before big series vs. Minnesota Twins

Liam Hendriks targeted July 1 for his return when he landed on the injured list.The Chicago White Sox closer’s prediction turned out to be pretty close.AdvertisementThe Sox reinstated Hendriks from the IL on Monday ahead of a crucial three-game series against the division-leading Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox also reinstated outfielder Adam Engel from the IL and optioned outfielder Adam Haseley and pitcher Jimmy Lambert to Triple-A Charlotte.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago White Sox begin ‘critical stretch’ of 15 games in 14 days vs. AL Central opponents. Here’s what to watch for starting tonight. ]“It was kind of meet in the middle,” Hendriks said Friday in San Francisco. “They had initially targeted July 8, I was going (with) the first, so we met at the Fourth.”AdvertisementHe added with a laugh: “If you’re looking at the math, that means I win. Closer to my date.”Hendriks had been on the IL retroactive to June 11 with a right forearm strain. He threw a simulated game Friday as a final step toward returning.“I would have been fine being active (Friday), but they wanted to check the box of the sim game,” he said. “You have to understand their point of view: They don’t want to start rushing people back. My point of view (is) I’m not most people. I like to throw more than your average, but we’re all good and ready to go.”Hendriks has a 2.81 ERA, 16 saves and 37 strikeouts in 25 appearances.“He’s going to be a huge add back to our pen,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Friday.Engel had been out since June 23 with a strained right hamstring. He’s slashing .240/.297/.349 with 11 doubles, one home run, 10 RBIs, 18 runs and nine stolen bases in 56 games.

Sports

Teen girl killed in Virginia boating accident believed to be 17-year-old daughter of Toronto Blue Jays first base coach

The 17-year-old daughter of Mark Budzinski, the Toronto Blue Jays’ first base coach, reportedly died when she fell off a raft in a Virginia river Saturday and was struck by a boat propeller.Officials have not publicly identified the victim, but a 17-year-old girl was killed Saturday after falling off an inflatable tube in the James River, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. When the boat turned around to get her, she was hit by the propeller.AdvertisementThe principal of Glen Allen High School, in Glen Allen, Va., announced Sunday that Julia Budzinski had died and the Blue Jays said that Budzinski would be away from the team after the death of his daughter.Tampa Bay Rays players and staff stand for a moment of silence Sunday. (COLE BURSTON/Getty Images)“This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family,” general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement.Advertisement“I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts.”The Blue Jays and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays held a moment of silence before Sunday’s game.A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources did not immediately return a request for comment from the Daily News Monday.Julia played varsity soccer and varsity volleyball for the Glen Allen Jaguars and served as vice president of the National Honor Society, according to her school.

Sports

Chicago White Sox begin a ‘critical stretch’ vs. AL Central opponents tonight. Here’s what to look for in each series.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago White Sox have a major opportunity ahead of them beginning Monday.A stretch of 15 games in 14 days — all against American League Central teams — starts with three at home against the division-leading Minnesota Twins. The Sox conclude the homestand with four against the Detroit Tigers.AdvertisementThen they go on the road for eight. That trip begins July 11 with four games in three days in Cleveland. They travel to Minnesota for the final four games before the All-Star break. And there’s more AL Central after the break when the Guardians visit Guaranteed Rate Field for four games in three days July 22-24.“This is a very critical stretch for us,” Sox closer Liam Hendriks said Friday. “It’s definitely make-or-break to help the front office clarify what the hell we’re doing this year. Whether it’s a good year, whether it’s a sit-and-wait year, whatever it is. But we need to, in this clubhouse, figure it out and take care of some business.Advertisement“We are facing our division, which is good but can also be very bad. If we can play our kind of baseball, go out there and have fun and enjoy the game again, we’ll be just fine because the talent level in this clubhouse, we know what we need to do.”[ [Don’t miss] White Sox enter July still trying to turn the corner ]The Sox are 38-39 after a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants and in third in the AL Central, 4½ games behind the Twins (45-37) and 2½ behind the Guardians (40-36).“Just lock it in and try to put together some good games, some good at-bats, and rally around each other,” Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said Saturday. “And hopefully we can get the job done.”Here’s what to watch for in the division matchups.The Twins’ Byron Buxton watches his three-run homer off White Sox closer Liam Hendriks (31) in the 10th inning April 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. (Jerry Holt/AP)The last time the Sox saw the Twins, they watched Byron Buxton round the bases after hitting a game-ending three-run homer off Hendriks in the 10th inning at Target Field.The 6-4 loss completed a dismal series for the Sox, who were swept in the three games April 22-24.The Twins had more walk-off magic this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles. Buxton hit a two-run homer in the ninth Friday for a 3-2 victory. Jose Miranda drove in Alex Kirilloff in the ninth with a single Saturday for a 4-3 win.Buxton is fifth in the AL with 21 home runs. Luis Arraez leads the league in batting average (.344) and on-base percentage (.419).Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Johnny Cueto gives the White Sox rotation a big shot in the arm ]Johnny Cueto, Michael Kopech and Lance Lynn are the scheduled starters for the Sox this week. Dylan Bundy, Chris Archer and Joe Ryan are in line to pitch for the Twins.Help is on the way for the Sox bullpen as Hendriks anticipates being reinstated from the injured list Monday. He has been on the IL retroactive to June 11 with a right forearm strain.Tigers shortstop Javier Báez (28) in the first inning against the Diamondbacks on June 24, 2022, in Phoenix. (Rick Scuteri/AP)The Sox have had some of their best offensive outings against the Tigers.They posted season highs in runs (13) and hits (22) the last time the teams played June 15 at Comerica Park. Yoán Moncada had a career-high five hits, including a three-run homer in the first.The Sox have won five of six against the Tigers this season, outscoring them 46-14. The only loss was on opening day, when the Tigers scored twice in the ninth for a 5-4 win.Javier Báez had the game-winning hit in the opener. The former Cubs shortstop is slashing .212/.249/.364 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 65 games.AdvertisementThe Tigers are fourth in the division at 30-47. This is their first visit to Guaranteed Rate Field this season.Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (22) celebrates with designated hitter Franmil Reyes after hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning against the White Sox on May 9, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The Sox had one of their toughest losses of the season during their last series against the Guardians, squandering a six-run ninth-inning lead May 9 at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Guardians won 12-9 in 11 innings.The Guardians have had the Sox’s number so far, winning four of the first five. That includes a doubleheader sweep April 20.José Ramírez is in the AL MVP conversation. The third baseman is slashing .292/.377/.588 with 16 homers and a league-leading 63 RBIs.Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been terrific, leading the AL with 19 saves. He earned AL Reliever of the Month for June.The Sox follow the four games in Cleveland — including a doubleheader July 12 — with four in Minnesota leading into the All-Star break.AdvertisementAnd they return from the break July 22 with the first of four games in three days against the Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field, making it 19 straight against the AL Central.“That will be fun,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Sunday. “Head to head. Twins just won a couple of games late, they’re for real. Cleveland is for real. Detroit is very competitive. “It’s exactly what you need. You need to play against tough competition. That’s how you get better.”