CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to tip off their 50th season this Wednesday in Orlando. As we all know, however, a familiar face will not be with them when they do so.
The team, fans, and really all of Northeast Ohio are still grieving the loss of beloved television play-by-play man Fred McLeod, who died suddenly last month at the age of 67. No one was hit harder by his passing than his wife Beth, a meteorologist at Fox 8 News.
Known both for his enthusiasm and famous calls and catch phrases, Fred was also keen about wearing many colorful neckties while on the air. As he would often say, "You gotta have a good tie guy!"
Now, Beth is choosing to honor Fred's memory in a wonderful and appropriate way: by giving his tie collection away to friends, former colleagues, and even current and former Cavs players. Among those receiving a tie, according to Beth, will be Cavs legends LeBron James and Kevin Love, Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas (whom Fred covered in Detroit), members of Beth's Fox 8 family, and the current Cavs broadcast crew.
Each tie, sent wrapped in a special box, includes a message asking those receiving one to wear it to the Cavs' home opener on Oct. 26 against the Indiana Pacers, as well as other events at the newly-renovated Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The message adds, "Please allow Fred to be each of YOU tie guy."
Several members of the 3News team received ties from Beth, including Jim Donovan and Jay Crawford.
Check out some of the other reactions from people who received a tie from Beth:
'A WINE AND GOLD WINNER': Jim Donovan looks back on the life of Fred McLeod