Joe Tait

Joe Tait was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 after 40 years on the air as one of the most popular and respected play-by-play announcers in all of sports.

Best known as the voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was the radio play by play announcer from the team's first year, 1970, until his retirement in 2011 (except for two seasons: 1980-81 and 1981-82).

He also did play-by-play for the Cleveland Indians for 15 seasons--on radio from 1973 to 1979 (with Herb Score), and on television from 1980 to 1987. And he broadcast games for the Cleveland Rockers (WNBA basketball), Cleveland Crusaders (WHL hockey), Mount Union College football, and other teams.

After a dispute with notorious team owner Ted Stepien, Tait left the Cavaliers in 1980. He was rehired in 1982 by new Cavs owner Gordon Gund. Tait announced Cavs games for the next 29 years. His 3,000th game for the Cavaliers was March 26, 2008 in Quicken Loan Arena, where the radio broadcast location was officially named The Joe Tait Perch. His final Cavaliers broadcast was on April 13, 2011.

Joe and his wife, Jean, live in Lafayette Township, Ohio.