While reading through the paper this morning, it was hard not to think about all the great memories Joe Tait provided for Cavalier fans over the years.
One of my favorite memories is Game 6, 2007 Eastern Conference Finals.
Upon arriving at a friends going away party, I quickly learned that we wouldn't be able to watch the game on TV. Since he didn't have cable and the game wasn't being broadcast locally, we had no choice but to listen to the game on the radio. Once tip off came we grabbed chairs and cooler and settled in chairs on his deck, ready for game 6. We sat there for three plus hours listening to Joe call the game that would take the Cavs to their first NBA Finals. Before the game and even during the game I was a little bummed out of not being able to see the game. Looking back though, I'm glad I got to listen to Joe call the only game that would lead the Cavs to the NBA Finals. The way he set the scene, called the game, and described the victory, is something I'll never forget. At the time, it seemed it was just the beginning of the Cavs making their first of many title runs. Little did I know at the time, it would be the only time the Cavs would get to the NBA Finals with TGIM (That Guy in Miami).
There's just something about listening to Joe Tait on the radio that's different. In my mind the way he calls a game, he always made basketball easy to "watch" on the radio, if that makes sense. He is by far my favorite Cleveland sports announcer to listen to on the radio. Football is definitely made for TV, and baseball just doesn't have enough flow to get into the rhythm of the game by listening.
Basketball is different, not sure if it's just the sport, or the way Joe Tait called the game, but the two together were perfect.
Joe Tait, THE Voice of the Cavaliers, you will be missed.
Have any great Joe Tait memories, or complaints? Respond in the comments below.
