Joe Tait, the voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers for two generations, dies at age 83

[Auggie]

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For many fans, Joe Tait was the Cavaliers. For all but two seasons when he left in a dispute with then-owner Ted Stepien, Tait, inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame media wing in 2010, served as the radio — and occasional television — voice of the team since its inception in 1970 until 2011.

Tait was elected to the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1992, received its C.S. Williams Founders Award for long and meritorious service in broadcasting in 1996 and its Legacy Award in 2004. He was named Sportscaster of the Year in Ohio in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2004. He was voted best radio/TV announcer in the area in a Plain Dealer poll in 1985 and 1986.

He was there as the Cavs stumbled through the early seasons and when they reached the NBA Finals in 2007. He called The Miracle in Richfield in 1976 and The Shot by Michael Jordan in 1989. He interviewed every player from Austin Carr to LeBron James and every coach from Bill Fitch to Byron Scott.

At one time or another he broadcast the WNBA Rockers, Indians, Cleveland Barons, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Indiana University football and the World Basketball League, as well as the college basketball game of the week for CBS Radio. While doing Indians games on television, he made the call for Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/03/joe-tait-the-voice-of-the-cleveland-cavaliers-for-two-generations-dies-at-age-83.html

Could have / should have been a national presence. He called a great game.

[Ohiogal]

1. Sadly missed.

He did Indians broadcasts, too.

When I was a kid and budding cartoonist, while listening to a Tribe game on the radio with my dad on the back porch one summer evening, I drew a cartoon of Tait and his partner broadcasting a game. Unbeknownst to me, my dad went and sent it to him! To my surprise, I received a hand written thank you from Joe, written on hotel stationery from Kansas City. What a nice thing for hm to do. That letter got lost over the years, wish I’d kep better track of it.

[Auggie]

2. Nice story. Tait and Herb Score were great company at my night job ...

janitorial duty, 8 pm to about 10 pm. Just me and my radio tuned to WWWE. I especially remember his Beer Night call and when the baseball broadcast had to cut away for Nixon's resignation speech. At Ohio University I could often pick-up the 50,000 watt signal carrying Cav's games and listen to those as well.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Such goood memories.

I can just imagine radios all over Ohio tuned to Tait and Score’s evening broadcasts.
Thanks for the memories. I still catch myself saying “Three W E” instead of WTAM.

[Auggie]

4. "Three W E" -- me too.

Also miss Pete Franklin.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I never listened to Franklin a whole lot

But I know people who did.

[Auggie]

6. You could learn a lot about sports from him