Someone who’s clearly not afraid of heights appears to have jacked the retired jersey of Cavs legend (and current TV color commentary guy) Austin Carr. The team is working to replace the banner while looking for the thief. Per the Plain Dealer:
The organization said Wednesday the number 34 jersey — hanging since its bearer retired in 1981 — disappeared sometime between the WWE Raw event Monday and the Cavs’ home game against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday.
Team officials said they are investigating the heist internally, and Cleveland police said no complaint was filed. A new banner will be in place by the time the Cavs return to Quicken Loans Feb. 5 to take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs chose Carr, a standout at Notre Dame, as their first draft pick in 1971. After injuries plagued his rookie season, he led the Cavs to three consecutive playoff appearances in the the 1970s. He ended his career in 1981 with the Washington Bullets, and is now the TV color analyst for Fox Sports Ohio’s Cavaliers coverage known for the signature slam dunk call “he throws the hammer down.”
Other banners in the arena honoring the Cavs’ Bingo Smith, Mark Price, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty, Nate Thurmond, Joe Tait and the professional hockey players Jock Callander, Fred Glover and Johnny Bower were not disturbed.
