Legendary announcer Joe Tait to visit Westlake

Legendary announcer Joe Tait, "the Voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers," will visit Barnes & Noble Bookstore; 198 Crocker Park Blvd. in Westlake on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1-2 p.m. Joe will share stories and autograph copies of his new book "Joe Tait: It’s Been a Real Ball." The book is co-written with award-winning sports writer Terry Pluto.

Based on a series of in-depth interviews, and with memories contributed by Tait’s fans and colleagues, the book covers Joe Tait’s hall-of-fame broadcasting career from his early days announcing high school sports to his retirement from basketball in 2011 after four decades with the Cavaliers. It tells how Tait got started in broadcasting, how he landed jobs with the Cavaliers and the Indians, and how his no-nonsense commentary won fans and sometimes got him in hot water with coaches and owners.

Joe Tait called the radio play-by-play from the Cleveland Cavaliers' first year in the NBA, 1970, until his retirement in 2011 (with the exception of two years in the early 1980s). His animated voice and descriptive announcing brought the excitement of the game home to listeners, from the "Miracle at Richfield" to the LeBron James years. Many also fondly recall him as one of the best play-by-play announcers ever to broadcast Cleveland Indians games (1973 to 1987) and as the longtime announcer for Mount Union football.

For more information about Joe Tait’s appearance at Barnes & Noble, call 440-250-9233. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about "Joe Tait: It’s Been a Real Ball," call Gray & Company, Publishers at 1-800-915-3609 or visit their website at www.grayco.com.