Tait, Joe

Joe Tait – (2001)

 

Over the years in Cleveland sports broadcast history, there have been numerous “voices” easily recognized by the listeners of radio and television baseball, football and basketball games. Some that come to mind are: Jimmy Dudley, Bob Neal, Jim Graner, Herb Score, Ken Coleman, Gib Shanley, Nev Chandler and currently, Tom “Wavvy Back” Hamilton.

But for pure distinctiveness and a never-get-tired-of-hearing-it voice, a virtual unanimous choice for No. 1 belongs to our own Lorain Sports Hall of Fame master of ceremonies (since 1985) and “Voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers” for the past 29 NBA seasons, Joe “Wham With the Right Hand” Tait.

Tonight, the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame proudly honors Tait with its first-ever honorary enshrinement with the Class of 2001. Although not a resident of Lorain, Joe can almost call our city his second home for his many years of emceeing the annual LSHOF enshrinement banquet. And if there is any pay for his service, it is almost always a “take home pizzeria” from his good friend, 1985 Hall of Fame inductee Rosie Brest, owner of Rosie’s Pizza Palace.

Before becoming the nationally acclaimed voice of the Cavs, Tait broadcast Cleveland Indians baseball games for 16 seasons and, appropriately, was then known as the “Voice of the Tribe.” Road trips with Joe were a delight. He loved to spend off hours exploring, and he knew all the finest restaurants in every city.

Tait also had brief stints broadcasting New Jersey Nets and Chicago Bulls games, but it was his voice that launched the Cavaliers’ very first season and, after those brief escapades elsewhere, he returned permanently to the Cavs in 1983 and, in 1987, was named the Cavs’ Vice President of Broadcast Services.

Other asides in Taits’ multi-spread-out career include raising race horses and teaching sportscasting at Ohio University and Mount Union College where he is a member of the board of trustees. He was named “Sportscaster of the Year in Ohio” six times (1974-76-78-91-96-99). In the Cavs’ off-season, Joe keeps sharp by broadcasting Cleveland Rockers WNBA games.

He and his wife, Jean, reside in Lafayette.