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April 14, 2011In 1951, Red Smith wrote one of the most-recognized and lauded ledes in sportswriting when discussing Bobby Thompson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.”
“Now it is done,” writes Smith. “Now the story ends. And there is no way to tell it. The art of fiction is dead. Reality has strangled invention. Only the utterly impossible, the inexpressibly fantastic, can ever be plausible again.”
Watching and listening to a 73-year old Joe Tait call his final play, one can’t help but think of Smith’s words. Arguably the most popular Cavalier, Tait sat clad in a beige-based argyle sweater, a staple within his Cosbylike wardrobe, headset as firm as ever. While he took time to thank those who were important to him during his time in Cleveland – from Dr A. Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic to security lieutenant Brad Frolo – Tait delivered the 82nd game of his final season behind the microphone as if it were any other.
A short-handed Cavalier team winning just their 19th game of the season, 100-93, just their 12th within the confines of Quicken Loans Arena. With his well-documented Taitisms, Joe treated Alonzo Gee and Manny Harris as if they were Hot Rod Williams and Mark Price. A JJ Hickson two-handed slam dunk received the same crescendo as if it were Brad Daugherty or Larry Nance.
And though he was in his perch for just three weeks of the entire season, Tait had the opportunity to call three of these wins, allowing Cleveland to – once again – hear the voice of the Cavaliers. An illustrious career that could not have ended in a better way, NBA championship not withstanding.
WTAM was gracious enough to play Tait’s feed though the second half of the contest and FOXSportsOhio had a “farewell” banner along the bottom of their screen for the duration of the broadcast. The Quicken Loans Arena staff placed Tait on the Q-Tube several times throughout the night, each additional appearance receiving a louder ovation.
As the Cavaliers were dribbling out the playclock, the large LCD screen placed well above centercourt did not display what was occurring on the court – it was on Tait as Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” blared through the loudspeakers. The ovations grew even louder.
Even as a member of the media, Tait hated everything that was non-basketball. A celebrity in the crowd? Never heard of him. Trade rumors, personal issues or certain players returning for the first time? It didn’t matter. He was always more French Lick than Indianapolis, more Black Mountain than Charlotte and more Mount Union than any Division I program in the country. His Way, indeed.
Following the game, Tait signed autographs for all fans who made their way over to his seat at the bottom of section C126. He spoke with several members of the media and gave the rest of the world one of the most heartfelt, yet professional, sign-offs in quite a long time.
“I’ve enjoyed the years that I have spent here talking with to you folks and I have enjoyed the response that I have received from you, believe me, very, very sincerely.
“We’ll see you down the line. This is Joe Tait. Have a good life, everybody.”
All without breaking his cadence, 39 seasons in the making.
To borrow from Smith, only the inexpressibly fantastic, can ever be plausible again. Sure, the Giants won the pennant and the Cavaliers did not, but what took place in Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night will be remembered in Cleveland the way Coogan’s Bluff was and still is nationally.
And while it will forever be called his perch, we’ll miss you, Joe.
16 Comments
See you between the circles Joe, Between the circles
http://www.cavaliersteamshop.com/fangear/product.asp?pf_id=1000005406&path=Shop&path=tee+shirts&path=%2420+-+%2430&search_handle=QT10ZWUgc2hpcnRzfkI9dGVlIHNoaXJ0c35EPTI0fkc9X1AyMF8zMF4xfkk9UHJpY2V_Sz00fkw9MX5NPTF_Tj0yfg&scid=SearchResults&spoffset=2&s_id=0
That is awesome.
You know, after hearing that last call, I think I will have a good life. Thanks Joe.
Anyone have any places to find audio of Joe last night?
Ohio Media Watch has a nice tribute up to Joe including links to some of the stories written about the end of his run. I set the DVR to record FSN’s documentary that’s on tonight. I used to love the NBA and those late 80’s early 90’s Cavs teams remain my all time favorites. But somewhere around the time of Shawn Kemp and Bob Sura I began losing interest. Still, I would tune in just to hear Joe Tait call games. While he was out this season I tuned in once just to hear what a game like him sounded like. I think I lasted about three minutes before tuning out. Last night’s game was the ususal excellent Joe Tait broadcast and the Cavs win made it a perfect finale.
Now the question is who replaces him?
@2…I’m more a fan of ILTH’s version
http://ilthy.com/store/fallwinter-2010/the-legend/
@1
we will also see him “from the line to the lane”….
also i was at the game last friday night vs the Bulls which was the night they raised Joe’s banner.
my wife got up from her seat to get a drink and instead returned with the shirt the team is wearing in the pic above for me….i love that woman.
@ #6 It’s not official yet but Mike Snyder and Jim Chones are the frontrunners.
@ mgbode — Why is that shirt only available in size small, I wonder? lol
I think that when the Cavaliers make it back to the postseason they should invite Joe to call the home playoff games. I dont know if he would do it, but it would be something special.
I was a huge Cavs fan in the early 90’s, the Daugherty/Price/Nance years. We were the poor family on the block so we didnt have cable. The only Cavs games I saw on television were the 20 or so games that were shown on channel 43, and the occasional national telecast on NBC when we would play the Bulls. Most of the time I was listening to Joe Tait call the games on WTAM. I dont think I would have such fond memories of that time if it werent for Joe Tait. Joe just had a way of making it all seem so much more epic than it really was.
Its a shame he never got to call a championship clinching game. That would have been something, which is why I hope that maybe we’ll get really lucky and maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe hear Joe call one more NBA finals before all is said and done. Its a long shot, I know, but stranger things have happened.
“It’s not official yet but Mike Snyder and Jim Chones are the frontrunners.”
Um…per whom?
Scott, from Ohio Media Watch “It seems a bit early to talk about the future of Cavaliers Radio without Joe Tait, but we’ll place an early bet on WTAM sports director Mike Snyder and ex-Cavaliers star Jim Chones returning to the booth for the 2011-2012 NBA season…”
Here’s the link:
http://ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/have-a-good-night-everybody/
Plus considering Snyder & Chones sat in this year it seems like a no brainer to me that they’ll continue.
I’ll gladly take the other side of that bet. Also nice of the almighty OMW to completely ignore Rick’s piece on Joe.
Nice job, Scott. Wish I could’ve heard the final game. I’m gonna need to borrow the post-game special DVD from you.