Iconic racing broadcaster Bob Jenkins died Monday at the age of 73 after an eight month battle with brain cancer. The Liberty, Indiana native called the Indianapolis 500 on television and radio throughout his storied career. Jenkins joined the IMS Radio Network in 1979 and was the anchor for the “500” from 1990 through 1998 before he became the television voice of the race on ABC. He joined ESPN in its infancy in 1979 and anchored the network’s NASCAR coverage until 2000, including calling the first seven Brickyard 400s. Jenkins later was a member of the public address team at IMS. He was inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Indiana Pacers announced that Calbert Cheaney will return to the team as a player development coach. The former IU star spent last season as an assistant coach under Nate Bjorkgren, who was fired after the season. It was Cheaney’s first season as an NBA assistant coach after spending time as an assistant in college and in the NBA G League. The 50-year-old Evansville native was a three-time All-American at IU and was the National Player of the Year in 1993. The Pacers also hired Jannergo Pargo and Zach Chu to be a part of Rick Carlisle’s coaching staff.
The Cleveland Indians defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-3 Monday night at Progressive Field in the Battle of Ohio. Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and had an RBI triple for Cleveland, which ended the Reds’ five-game winning streak. The game was a makeup of a game rained out in May, and the Reds immediately headed to Atlanta after the game to begin a series with the Braves. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers were rained out in Chicago and will play a day-night doubleheader Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Game one will get underway at 2:20 p.m. Eastern with game two at 8:05.
Eloy Jimenez homered twice and the Chicago White Sox drubbed the Minnesota Twins 11-1 in Minneapolis. Jimenez crushed a two-run home run in the first inning and added a three-run shot in the second. The 24-year-old outfielder is the first player in White Sox history with two homers and five RBI in consecutive games. Tim Anderson led off the game with a home run for the second straight night and finished with three RBI. Lucas Giolito earned the victory after allowing two hits and one run over eight innings.
