Gary Goldberg grew up on the North Side of Chicago. He has played sixteen-inch softball since he was six years old. He attended Sullivan High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and bowling. After high school and college, he started a softball career that continues to this day. He combined his softball skills with his talents as a musician on keyboard, guitar, and as a songwriter. His “garage band” the Cave Dwellers achieved fame for their song “Run Around” (written by Goldberg) on the Jim-Ko Label out of Chicago.
In 1980, Gary and Chuck Martinkus (HOF) co-founded Smoke (a Hall of Fame honored team and mentioned by WBEZ as a well-known Chicago team). Like so many players before him, Gary and Smoke played almost every night of the week, often travelling across town to play in a second or third game or tournament. He pitched a perfect game in 2008 and in 2014 bowled a perfect game in league play.
Of all his accomplishments in softball, Gary most treasures his time with Smoke. They gave him a lifetime family of friends and teammates, all dedicated to the great game of sixteen-inch softball.