The Cavs were such a horrible team for many years, it was great to see them finally break through and make the playoffs that season for the first time. I also remember a few years afterwards when they traded away many of their draft picks for marginal players while making other teams great
@cbjrcher What? Luke Wittee? Alan Hornyack? John Bagley? No matter how pitiful the team, the sounds of Joe Tait taking me left to right across that radio dial with my hometown cavs was my warmth for many winter nights. Get better real soon Joe. And put on those running shoes tonight, fellas!! Fill the lanes, and Wham with the Right Hand!!
@billytickets I was there that night. It felt like my ears were stuffed with cotton for a few days after. If you've ever sat close to a speaker at a rock concert you know what I'm talking about.
I'd give anything for Game 5 / Cleamon's tip-in footage.
Only b/c I was there Cavs 92-91, April 12, 1976, attendance, 21, 564. Call me Rainman and prove me wrong but I was 12 and it was the loudest sporting event I've ever experienced. My Dad's 80 now and he concurs :)
mjp96, what would you give me if I said that I finally DO have footage of that game?
My dad was at that game (5 yrs. before I was born) and he says the same thing about the deafening roar. I just have Clemons' tip-in at the buzzer. I wish I had footage of the events leading up to that play.... Cavs fail to score with 7 seconds left, when Hayes is quickly fouled with the Bullets up by one. I believe some fans start leaving. Then Hayes misses both free throws to set up the miracle finish.
Hard to believe, the building lasted only 20 years, 1974-1994. (It was dormant for several years after that, and then demolished.) I've been to a lot of indoor pro sports venues, but overall, Richfield Coliseum was the best place I've been to, especially for watching a game. The fans collectively had a great view of the game, they reacted to every quirk that took place. Like a college hoops crowd. The only bad part, which cut short the venue's life way too soon, was where it was built.
Very well put! I loved that place. I saw the Cleveland Force there as well as the Cavs. There was a strangely comforting and classy quality to Richfield Coliseum. It wasn't as noisy and crass as many sports stadiums and arenas are today. It was an imposing thing to drive up to, as well. It was a massive tower-like structure in the middle of nowhere. It was like you were driving into a scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" or something to that effect.
I'm still waiting on footage from games 2 and 5 in this series. Game 7 wasn't the only miracle.
Now this is a little before my time, but notice the organ music over the PA system during the timeout. Boy have times changed.
Nat'l people will never understand what a championship will mean to CLE. Only those older than me who remember the early 70s and the Stepien era, along with the heartache Jordan provided will be able to really put a Cavs championship in true perspective.
God listen to Joe Tate's emotion. I still remember exactly where I was listening to the game. The end is insane! Gives me goosebumps still to this day.
Just one championship for this city before I die. Just one!
33 years later and it still brings tears to my eyes. I remember listening to the game on the radio. Even if the Cavaliers win it all this year, it will never be as loud and insane as those games were. If Chones hadn't gotten hurt, we would have won it all
Joe Tait's contract with the Cavaliers runs until 2011, I believe. And as far as the video screen at the old Coliseum is concerned, it was state of the art at the time. The whole building was, but the Q is much nicer.
I wish I was alive to see games like this. That crowd at the end is insane. I guess the closest I'll ever get to seeing that was when we beat the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals in '07 and everybody was going wild in the streets.
I'm not totally positive, but I think this feed is the Washington TV feed. I know this game wasn't televised Cleveland (we had to listen on the radio, although they broke into prome time TV to show the finish). I think they spliced Joe Tait's radio commentary into the play by play. When you hear other announcers, I believe it's the Bullets local announcers. Anyone confirm this?
Yeah, the other two announcers are Washington announcers. I believe the TV feed is also Washington as well, you are correct about that. It always makes me chuckle when watching this and seeing fans dressed in suits and ties to attend this game. Times have surely changed.
And Joe Tait, all 5000 pounds of him, is STILL doing their play by play here in 2008. I'm amazed the guy hasn't died of a heart attack or stroke by now. But man he is THE best at calling a basketball game.
God, I can still remember as if it were yesterday "Bingo top of the key ... it's GOOOOOD!!! Cavaliers WINNNNN......."
Awesome!!! I was lucky enough to attend a couple of those games against the Bulletts that year. I have the old 3WE "Miracle" album that I've converted to mp3 format. I still crack a smile every time I hear the great one, Joe Tait, calling those last second victories. *THAT* was a great time in sports,no fans at courtside talking on cell phones. You didn't need the PA announcer to lead cheering. And yes, besides the oringinal uniforms, those uniforms are sooooo cool!
People who didn't live through The Miracle and experience it won't truly understand the frenzy and passion of the time. I get chills and goosebumps every time I see this. Thanks for posting.
This was a great series, yet--for the second time in 3 years--ABC and the NBA completely forgot about it when the Cleveland and Washington franchises met again in the playoffs. Unless I missed it, the '76 series was never mentioned.
i too, have the audio...."miracle of richfield" on cassette tape....looking for anyone who has video of bingo's 25 footer or clemens' put back....anyone???
This was NOT the Ted Stepien era, but rather, the Nick Milleti era. I was there at that game. I was nine. The announcers are, of course, Joe Tait and the Bullets announcers. And Brandyandryan is correct - there were two other miracles in that series. Would love to see someone post those moments. Clemens' rebound and Bingo's 25 footer - "GOOOOOOOOOD" But, Dicky Snyder's runner is still the biggest shot in Cavalier history.
Ive been looking for full videos of the series..and am attempting to contact fox sports Ohio for the series. I was employed by the Cavaliers from 1974-1978 and want to show my kids there goofy dad at 11 years old sitting behind the hydraulic backboards working the game as a ballboy. In this video noone else can see, but the basket that is torn down, there is a boy that is standing on the black base to avoid the crowd.
I came here to You Tube looking for footage of Bingo's 35-40 footer--it was NOT 25 feet. He got the ball at half court, went about 5 feet toward the basket and let it fly. The defender was NOT expexting that long of a shot. Afterwards, Bingo said, "I shoot 30-40 footers all the time in practice."
Smithjj, I want to see it as bad as you do. I was not aware of the shot being longer than 25 ft. How do you know that? Was it on the news the next day? Were you there in person? I don't know if FSN Ohio even has that footage.
Great stuff! Sports just are not the same anymore. Used to be so great when the crowd could rush the field or floor. The good old days. This was the conference semi finals I believe. Cavs went on to play the Celts in the next round.
This is very personal to me...can anyone please put me in touch with an archivist that has this series on video. I was a ballboy on the Cavs from 1974-1978 and was there working the floor during the series with the Bullets and the Celtics. I have many fond memories and I'd like to share them with my children. If anyone knows where on the internet I can obtain them it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This wasn't the only miracle. The whole season was full of miracles and so was the series. Does anyone have footage of games 2 and 5? (Clemens' rebound and putback and also Bingo's 25 ft. shot)
great video , I was 17 and lesting to the game on radio my pams were sweeting. to this day everytime i here joe tait call that it give me chills. that was back when basketball was good. now its all about money and show biz
I get chills seeing replays of this. To me a champion is someone who fans run into the court to touch and hug and Nate Thurmond was that man that day.
joe tait is awesome and still doing play by play. notice no 3 point line? what a team. bingo smith, austin carr, nate thurman, jim chones... go cavs beat san antonio!!!!
tgmurphy626:Yes, Joe Tait is one of the best in the business. Tonight (03/26/2008), he calls his 3000th regular season Cav's game. The man is a Cleveland treasure.
I was years from being born when this happened by my dad and my grandfather told me about it many times. This is the first time I had ever seen footage of it. It truly is what they had always told me. Amazing!
It was actually a huge projection TV like they had in some sports bars back then. It wasn't that bright, but when I was 6 years old it was pretty cool. When they had the Ice Follies at the Coliseum they'd show the skaters on it so the people in the nosebleed section could see what was going on down on the ice.
What's impressive is that they beat a Bullet team that made the NBA Finals a year earlier and made two more Finals appearances in the next few years.
chrisuncleahmad 1 month ago
Tonight is Joe Tait's final game after 39 years as the Cavs' voice.
Good night, Joe, and good retirement. :)
packerlandmike 11 months ago 3
I love how the fans could rush the court back then!
godawgs06 11 months ago 3
jim chones does brake his foot the cavs r in the finals that year with out a doubt
mosesgoblue90 1 year ago
great memory - I love the way the fans stormed to court. No one got hurt; good clean fun. Would never happen at today's venues...thanks for posting
lemontripe 1 year ago
The Cavs were such a horrible team for many years, it was great to see them finally break through and make the playoffs that season for the first time. I also remember a few years afterwards when they traded away many of their draft picks for marginal players while making other teams great
cbjrcher 1 year ago
@cbjrcher What? Luke Wittee? Alan Hornyack? John Bagley? No matter how pitiful the team, the sounds of Joe Tait taking me left to right across that radio dial with my hometown cavs was my warmth for many winter nights. Get better real soon Joe. And put on those running shoes tonight, fellas!! Fill the lanes, and Wham with the Right Hand!!
Ciaresayton 1 year ago
I have been many world series super bowls and i have never heard such a frenzied loud crowd in my life
billytickets 2 years ago 8
@billytickets I was there that night. It felt like my ears were stuffed with cotton for a few days after. If you've ever sat close to a speaker at a rock concert you know what I'm talking about.
catlarry 1 year ago
Bingo's shot was not in game 7 and it was at least 35 feet and i believe it was in washington
billytickets 2 years ago
As someone who grew up in Richfield... They should have burned the city to the ground that night....
PsYcHo14 2 years ago 7
@PsYcHo14 city? what city? you mean the sheep farm next door?
m1049 1 year ago
@PsYcHo14 You mean the cornfields? lol this was so far out of Cleveland but still it was rockin!!!!
Turtle3000GT 9 months ago
Damm they were getting crazy.
SFFOOL76 2 years ago 2
Even in the 70's, the Cavs were beating the Wizards/Bullets in the playoffs.
vousallezvous 2 years ago 2
vousallezvous, I'm a Bullets/Wiz fan, but that made me laugh! Thanks
tmko1985 2 years ago
I'd give anything for Game 5 / Cleamon's tip-in footage.
Only b/c I was there Cavs 92-91, April 12, 1976, attendance, 21, 564. Call me Rainman and prove me wrong but I was 12 and it was the loudest sporting event I've ever experienced. My Dad's 80 now and he concurs :)
mjp96 2 years ago
mjp96, what would you give me if I said that I finally DO have footage of that game?
My dad was at that game (5 yrs. before I was born) and he says the same thing about the deafening roar. I just have Clemons' tip-in at the buzzer. I wish I had footage of the events leading up to that play.... Cavs fail to score with 7 seconds left, when Hayes is quickly fouled with the Bullets up by one. I believe some fans start leaving. Then Hayes misses both free throws to set up the miracle finish.
ryanbrandy08 2 years ago
(continuing from previous post)
YES I do have footage of Game 5. I have been saving the clip as part of a much longer video that I am in the process of making.
...I suppose you don't want to wait.
ryanbrandy08 2 years ago
how much footage?
mjp96 2 years ago
Comment removed
ryanbrandy08 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
just the last play (Clemons' tip-in)
it's about 12 seconds long, I'm guessing.
Like I said a couple of posts ago, I wish I had Hayes' missed free throws as part of the clip.
ryanbrandy08 2 years ago
Amazing video, and what a move Synder to go to the hoop.
BabylonAGoGo 2 years ago
Simply incredible-and out of this world
krislaty 2 years ago
Hard to believe, the building lasted only 20 years, 1974-1994. (It was dormant for several years after that, and then demolished.) I've been to a lot of indoor pro sports venues, but overall, Richfield Coliseum was the best place I've been to, especially for watching a game. The fans collectively had a great view of the game, they reacted to every quirk that took place. Like a college hoops crowd. The only bad part, which cut short the venue's life way too soon, was where it was built.
Music2Die4 3 years ago
Very well put! I loved that place. I saw the Cleveland Force there as well as the Cavs. There was a strangely comforting and classy quality to Richfield Coliseum. It wasn't as noisy and crass as many sports stadiums and arenas are today. It was an imposing thing to drive up to, as well. It was a massive tower-like structure in the middle of nowhere. It was like you were driving into a scene from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" or something to that effect.
fanniterrette 2 years ago
I'm still waiting on footage from games 2 and 5 in this series. Game 7 wasn't the only miracle.
Now this is a little before my time, but notice the organ music over the PA system during the timeout. Boy have times changed.
Nat'l people will never understand what a championship will mean to CLE. Only those older than me who remember the early 70s and the Stepien era, along with the heartache Jordan provided will be able to really put a Cavs championship in true perspective.
ryanbrandy08 3 years ago
Game 5 had a more dramatic finish. The Cavs were down by a point, and the winning basket was a tip-in after a missed shot, right at the buzzer.
Music2Die4 3 years ago
God listen to Joe Tate's emotion. I still remember exactly where I was listening to the game. The end is insane! Gives me goosebumps still to this day.
Just one championship for this city before I die. Just one!
BabylonAGoGo 3 years ago
I'll never forget listening to Joe Tait announcing this game when I was a kid.
Lebron and company can do it! This town would go bonkers if ii happens.
BabylonAGoGo 3 years ago
...shoots up, no good, it's overrr!!!! Cavaliers win!! Wow. The passion in Tait's voice at the end was riveting.
Wouldn't it be something if Tait could call the final seconds of a Cavs NBA championship...
Come on Cavs.
'09.
sicstyl 3 years ago
33 years later and it still brings tears to my eyes. I remember listening to the game on the radio. Even if the Cavaliers win it all this year, it will never be as loud and insane as those games were. If Chones hadn't gotten hurt, we would have won it all
kibbabibba 3 years ago
Joe Tait's contract with the Cavaliers runs until 2011, I believe. And as far as the video screen at the old Coliseum is concerned, it was state of the art at the time. The whole building was, but the Q is much nicer.
brownstownmike 3 years ago
I wish I was alive to see games like this. That crowd at the end is insane. I guess the closest I'll ever get to seeing that was when we beat the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals in '07 and everybody was going wild in the streets.
Hammerheart09870 3 years ago
I'm not totally positive, but I think this feed is the Washington TV feed. I know this game wasn't televised Cleveland (we had to listen on the radio, although they broke into prome time TV to show the finish). I think they spliced Joe Tait's radio commentary into the play by play. When you hear other announcers, I believe it's the Bullets local announcers. Anyone confirm this?
Xontar02 3 years ago
Yeah, the other two announcers are Washington announcers. I believe the TV feed is also Washington as well, you are correct about that. It always makes me chuckle when watching this and seeing fans dressed in suits and ties to attend this game. Times have surely changed.
RP19890 3 years ago
who's doing the play by play w/Tait?
kpl1228 3 years ago
And Joe Tait, all 5000 pounds of him, is STILL doing their play by play here in 2008. I'm amazed the guy hasn't died of a heart attack or stroke by now. But man he is THE best at calling a basketball game.
God, I can still remember as if it were yesterday "Bingo top of the key ... it's GOOOOOD!!! Cavaliers WINNNNN......."
tritonrocks 3 years ago
He wasn't that fat back then.
ryanbrandy08 3 years ago
Awesome!!! I was lucky enough to attend a couple of those games against the Bulletts that year. I have the old 3WE "Miracle" album that I've converted to mp3 format. I still crack a smile every time I hear the great one, Joe Tait, calling those last second victories. *THAT* was a great time in sports,no fans at courtside talking on cell phones. You didn't need the PA announcer to lead cheering. And yes, besides the oringinal uniforms, those uniforms are sooooo cool!
hx823 3 years ago
21,564. Was that the most to EVER see a basketball game at the old Richfield Coliseum?
Tubewings 3 years ago
I get goosebumps seeing this and I was born in '81. I just wish I could see footage of games 2 and 5 also.
ryanbrandy08 3 years ago
Tell me Cleveland isn't a passionate sports city. Maybe the most passionate sports city in the world.
God I love my hometown....wish I still lived there.
gretzkysyotes 3 years ago
i agree cleveland needs to win something soon...i thought you had us in baseball 2 years ago
/love boston
LTDANMAN44 3 years ago
People who didn't live through The Miracle and experience it won't truly understand the frenzy and passion of the time. I get chills and goosebumps every time I see this. Thanks for posting.
Xontar02 3 years ago
Wow, talk about the lack of security back then...not only do fans storm the floor, they tear down the baskets!
simpsonsfan2007 3 years ago
Look at those crazy Cleveland fans, and it wasn't even nickle beer night.
hoosierlooker 3 years ago
yeah..hhahahahaha
BboyRaingo 3 years ago
This was a great series, yet--for the second time in 3 years--ABC and the NBA completely forgot about it when the Cleveland and Washington franchises met again in the playoffs. Unless I missed it, the '76 series was never mentioned.
swami1 3 years ago
i too, have the audio...."miracle of richfield" on cassette tape....looking for anyone who has video of bingo's 25 footer or clemens' put back....anyone???
elloyd1681 3 years ago
This was NOT the Ted Stepien era, but rather, the Nick Milleti era. I was there at that game. I was nine. The announcers are, of course, Joe Tait and the Bullets announcers. And Brandyandryan is correct - there were two other miracles in that series. Would love to see someone post those moments. Clemens' rebound and Bingo's 25 footer - "GOOOOOOOOOD" But, Dicky Snyder's runner is still the biggest shot in Cavalier history.
elloyd1681 3 years ago
Ive been looking for full videos of the series..and am attempting to contact fox sports Ohio for the series. I was employed by the Cavaliers from 1974-1978 and want to show my kids there goofy dad at 11 years old sitting behind the hydraulic backboards working the game as a ballboy. In this video noone else can see, but the basket that is torn down, there is a boy that is standing on the black base to avoid the crowd.
rooseguitar64 3 years ago
I have old audio recordings of the ends of games 2("Bingo! Bobby hit it!") , 5 and 7. Tait was(is) a great announcer.
swami1 3 years ago
I have old audio recordings of the ends of games 2("Bingo! Bobby hit it!") , 5 and 7. Tait was(is) a great announcer.
swami1 3 years ago
I came here to You Tube looking for footage of Bingo's 35-40 footer--it was NOT 25 feet. He got the ball at half court, went about 5 feet toward the basket and let it fly. The defender was NOT expexting that long of a shot. Afterwards, Bingo said, "I shoot 30-40 footers all the time in practice."
smithjj61614 2 years ago
Smithjj, I want to see it as bad as you do. I was not aware of the shot being longer than 25 ft. How do you know that? Was it on the news the next day? Were you there in person? I don't know if FSN Ohio even has that footage.
ryanbrandy08 2 years ago
love it love it love it............. THE FLOOR WAS GOING BESHERK
RICK24BARRY 2 years ago
Great stuff! Sports just are not the same anymore. Used to be so great when the crowd could rush the field or floor. The good old days. This was the conference semi finals I believe. Cavs went on to play the Celts in the next round.
ThailandKyle 3 years ago
I don't think I've ever seen a crowd tear down the basketball hoops... Cleveland's crazy!!
Go Tribe, Cavs, and Browns!
markz88 4 years ago
wow, that was truely amazing. Thanks for posting.
thomesocksup 4 years ago
This is very personal to me...can anyone please put me in touch with an archivist that has this series on video. I was a ballboy on the Cavs from 1974-1978 and was there working the floor during the series with the Bullets and the Celtics. I have many fond memories and I'd like to share them with my children. If anyone knows where on the internet I can obtain them it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
rooseguitar64 4 years ago
Scott, is that you???
drewgooden20 4 years ago
Anyone recognize the voices of the announcers?
RetroJoe66 4 years ago
This wasn't the only miracle. The whole season was full of miracles and so was the series. Does anyone have footage of games 2 and 5? (Clemens' rebound and putback and also Bingo's 25 ft. shot)
brandyandryan07 4 years ago
great video , I was 17 and lesting to the game on radio my pams were sweeting. to this day everytime i here joe tait call that it give me chills. that was back when basketball was good. now its all about money and show biz
cm11cox 4 years ago
I remember during the 80-81 season when tickets for nosebleed seats here were going for $2.50. $10 for a family night out.
habyss 4 years ago 2
That was during the Ted Stepien era, with plenty of those tickets available.
Funky770 4 years ago
that was a pretty strong move to the hoop on the game-winning shot.
scoutie101 4 years ago 3
I get chills seeing replays of this. To me a champion is someone who fans run into the court to touch and hug and Nate Thurmond was that man that day.
Ariamaluum 4 years ago 3
joe tait is awesome and still doing play by play. notice no 3 point line? what a team. bingo smith, austin carr, nate thurman, jim chones... go cavs beat san antonio!!!!
tgmurphy626 4 years ago 2
tgmurphy626:Yes, Joe Tait is one of the best in the business. Tonight (03/26/2008), he calls his 3000th regular season Cav's game. The man is a Cleveland treasure.
071949 4 years ago
OMG, those uniforms!!!
lordmikethegreat 4 years ago
I was 12. I still get chills.
Cambu17 4 years ago 2
I was years from being born when this happened by my dad and my grandfather told me about it many times. This is the first time I had ever seen footage of it. It truly is what they had always told me. Amazing!
USMCBUCK10 4 years ago
I didnt know Richfield had a Jumbotron back in 76
DGarcia879 4 years ago
It was actually a huge projection TV like they had in some sports bars back then. It wasn't that bright, but when I was 6 years old it was pretty cool. When they had the Ice Follies at the Coliseum they'd show the skaters on it so the people in the nosebleed section could see what was going on down on the ice.
chadiqua 4 years ago