Sports Airchecks
Minneapolis Lakers
MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM 1960 WITH RAY CHRISTENSEN
WLOL-AM (1330) Minneapolis Lakers vs. St. Louis Hawks playoff game at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis with Ray Christensen from March 22, 1960. Aircheck includes the last six minutes of regulation, plus most of the overtime. After this season, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles. 14 MB
Minnesota Gopher Basketball
1972-2001
WCCO RADIO RAY CHRISTENSEN AIRCHECKS:
1972: End of the Minnesota-Ohio State game on January 25 which concluded with a brawl. Athletic Director Paul Giel officially ended the game.
1978: Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, Northwestern
1979: George Tech, Indiana, Northwestern
1980: Wisconsin, Purdue
1981: Opponents not identified
1983: Indiana State, Illinois, Purdue
1984: Ohio State, Northwestern
1985: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin
1986: Michigan
1987: Wisconsin
1988: Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin
1989: Michigan, Iowa, Purdue, and Memories of Reaching the NCAA Sweet 16
1990: NCAA Games: University of Texas El Paso, Northern Iowa, Syracuse, Georgia
1991: Ohio State and Ray Christensen recognized on December 11, 1991, for his 1,000 Gopher Basketball game broadcast.
1992: Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern
1993: NIT Games: Florida, Oklahoma, Southern California, Providence, Georgetown
1994: Penn State, Indiana
1995: Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue
1996: Ohio State, Purdue, Penn State
1997: NCAA: Southwest Texas, Temple, Clemson, UCLA
1998: Big 10 Tournament: Michigan State (14+ minute recording). NIT: Colorado State, Alabama Birmingham, Fresno State, Penn State
1999: Iowa, Michigan, Indiana
2000: Wisconsin, Indiana (great rally by Gophers)
2001: Indiana Presentation to Ray, Tribute EW Ziebarth, NIT: Villanova, Tulsa. The recording ends with Ray's final broadcast after 50 years of play-by-play announcing.
Previously Posted Airchecks:
- 1990 - Gopher Basketball
- 1994 - Gopher Basketball - Gophers Beat Iowa
- 1997 - Gopher Basketball - Gophers Clinch Big 10 Title
- 1999 - Gopher Basketball - Gophers Upset Indiana
Minnesota Gopher Basketball
GOPHER FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY - 1934
WCCO-AM (810 - WCCO Radio's frequency in 1934) - Gophers vs Michigan play-by-play with Halsey Hall (recreation) (provided by Mark Durenberger)
GOPHER FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY HIGHLIGHTS - 1941
KSTP-AM (1500) - Halsey Hall Gopher Football Radio Highlights - 7 MB
GOPHER FOOTBALL BERNIE BIERMAN SHOW - 1948
GOPHER FOOTBALL TCF TOUCHDOWN TIME SHOW - 1948
WCCO-AM (830) - TCF Gopher Football "Touchdown Time" pre-game show (prior to the Gopher-Purdue game)
Includes Halsey Hall, Babe LeVoir and Paul Wann along with music by Burt Hanson and the Wally Olson Orchestra. Halsey announces the Gopher lineup, including Bud Grant (who later became head coach of the Minnesota Vikings) and Verne Gagne (who later became a professional wrestler and owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association). #1 #2 (14 MB each)
GOPHER FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY - 1949
WCCO-AM (830) - Gopher Football (vs. Michigan) play-by-play (3rd quarter) with Halsey Hall - 12 MB
WCCO RADIO RAY CHRISTENSEN AIRCHECKS:
1970: Indiana (23-0 win)
1977: Ohio State (7-38 loss), UCLA (27-13 win)
1978: Indiana (32-31 win)
1979: Opponents not identified
1980: Illinois (21-18 win), Iowa (24-6 win), Indiana (31-7 win)
1981: Purdue (16-13 win), Northwestern (35-23 win)
1982: Northwestern (21-23 loss), Indiana (21-40 win), Iowa (16-21 loss)
1983: Nebraska (13-84 loss), Purdue (20-32 loss)
1984: Indiana (33-24 win), Wisconsin (17-14 win), Northwestern (28-31 loss)
1985: Purdue (45-15 win), Northwestern (21-10 win)
1986: Wisconsin (27-20 win), Michigan (20-17 win), Iowa (27-30 loss)
1987: Northwestern (45-33 win), Indiana (17-18 loss), Illinois (17-27 loss), Michigan (20-30 loss)
1988: Indiana (13-33 loss), Ohio State (6-13 loss)
1989: Indiana (18-28 loss), Ohio State (37-41 loss), Wisconsin (24-22 win)
1990: Iowa State (20-16 win), Nebraska (0-56 loss), Purdue (19-7 win), Northwestern (35-25 win), Ray Christensen recognized at half-time at the Iowa game for his 400th Gopher Football game broadcast.
1991: Michigan State (12-20 loss), Michigan (6-52 loss), Indiana (8-34 loss), Ohio State (6-35 loss), Wisconsin (16-19 loss)
1992: Michigan (13-63 loss), Indiana (17-24 loss), Ohio State (0-17 loss), Iowa (28-13 win)
1993: Wisconsin (28-21 win), Illinois (20-23 loss)
1994: Illinois (17-21 loss), Michigan (22-38 loss), Iowa (42-49 loss)
1995: Ohio State (21-49 loss), Wisconsin (27-34 loss), Illinois (14-48 loss)
1996: Ball State (26-23 win), Syracuse (35-33 win)
1997: Indiana (24-12 win)
1998: Michigan State (19-18 win), Wisconsin (7-26 loss), Iowa (49-7 win)
1999: Ohio State (17-20 loss), Purdue (28-33 loss), Penn State (24-23 win)
2000: Ohio State (29-17 win - the only time during Ray's broadcast career that the Gophers won in Columbus).
Plus, the Gophers and the North Carolina State at the MicronPC.com Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL (30-38 loss). This was Ray's final football game broadcast, with tributes by Dave Lee and Dave Mona.
Previously Posted Airchecks:
- 1977 - Gopher Football - Gophers Beat Michigan
- 1981 - Gopher Football - Gophers Upset Ohio State
- 1987 - Darrell Thompson's 98 Yard TD Run
- 1990s - Gopher Football - Story of Floyd of Rosedale
- 1992 - Gopher Football - Look Back at Gopher Rose Bowl Win
Minnesota North Stars Hockey
REMEMBERING AL SHAVER, THE PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE OF THE MINNESOTA NORTH STARS
Al Shaver, the play-by-play radio announcer for the entirety of the Minnesota North Stars, died on April 22, 2024. He was 96 years old.
Al Shaver reflects on the first 25 years of the Minnesota North Stars with interviews and highlights (1992) - 15 MB
WCCO-AM - North Stars playoffs audio clip with Al Shaver and Larry Jagoe. This audio is from playoff game (No. 4) of the 1967-68 season between Minnesota and St Louis. It took place on April 27, 1968. Unfortunately, the North Stars lost the game in OT and lost the series 4-3 in OT in game 7. That was the first season for the North Stars. - 1 MB
MINNESOTA NORTH STAR GAME BROADCAST FROM 1972 WITH AL SHAVER AND STEVE CANNON
WCCO-AM (830) - Minnesota North Stars vs Montreal Canadians - February 24, 1972 with Al Shaver and Steve Cannon. Part 1 - 36 MB - Part 2 - 40 MB
The aircheck features the entire game broadcast includes Fan in the Stands with Steve Cannon and Al Shaver, Sid Hartman with North Stars coach Jack Gordon, news headlines with Joe McFarlin (President Nixon was in China at this time), and post-game. Includes commercials for Lancer, Schick, Ski-Doo, Bob's Produce Ranch, Bridgman's, Midwest Federal, Minnesota Blue Cross/Blue Shield/MII, Western Airlines, White Bear Dodge, Grain Belt Beer, Dodge, and Cloverleaf Milk.
This game was digitized off of a very slow moving "logger" reel-to-reel tape kept by 'CCO. As a result, the audio is not studio quality, but more like what it would have sounded like listening with a 1960s small pocket AM transistor radio.
Minnesota Twins Baseball
TWINS BASEBALL JINGLES
- 1961: "We're Gonna to Win Twins" jingle (provided by Kirk Morgan)
- 1962: Hamm's Beer "Let's Toast the Winning Twins" music/jingle - 1 MB (provided by Stuart Held and Todd Kosovich)
- 1987: "We're Gonna to Win Twins" jingle
MINNESOTA TWINS PLAY-BY-PLAY WITH HALSEY HALL IN 1965 PLUS BLOOPERS
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WCCO-AM (830) - Halsey Hall, Minnesota Twins Play-By-Play - 1 MB
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WCCO-AM (830) - Halsey Hall Bloopers - (Undated) - 3 MB
MINNESOTA TWINS WIN THE PENNANT CELEBRATION - 1965
WCCO-AM (830) - Twins Win The Pennant - interviews with Twins players in the clubhouse by Halsey Hall - 4 MB
TWINS BASEBALL PRE- / POST-GAME (PLUS FINAL GAME CALL) WHEN CATFISH HUNTER PITCHED A PERFECT GAME IN 1968
WCCO-AM (830) - Twins Baseball Entire Pre- and Post-Game Shows plus the dramatic final call when Catfish Hunter of the Oakland A's pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins on May 8, 1968 with Herb Carneal, Merle Harmon, and Halsey Hall. - 16 MB. Note: Audio is fair quality.
- Pre-Game - Merle Harmon Show: Interviews Bruce Look, who appeared in 59 games as a member of the 1968 MN Twins
- Pre-Game - Cal Ermer Show: Sid Hartman interviews the Twins manager
- Final Call
- Post-Game Including the Herb Carneal Scoreboard Show
THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY TAPE OF MINNESOTA TWIN CESAR TOVAR'S GRAND SUNDAY IN 1968
Star Tribune article written by sports columnist Patrick Reusse about the search for the lost radio play-by-play tape of Minnesota Twin Cesar Tovar's Grand Sunday when he played all nine positions on September 22, 1968. Tom Gavaras, who is featured in the article, is the operator of RadioTapes.
LINK to the Star Tribune article published on August 16, 2022
JPEG of the article (in the event you are unable to access the Star Tribune website)
Edited aircheck - Herb Carneal and Halsey Hall, with play-by-play of Tovar playing all nine position on September 22, 1968 (mp3)
REMEMBERING MINNESOTA TWINS GREAT HARMON KILLEBREW
Harmon Killebrew was a prolific power hitter who spent most of his 22-year career in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins. At the time of his retirement, Killebrew had the fifth-most home runs in major league history.
- WCCO-AM - Harmon Killebrew Special - January 1975 - 2 MB
- Killebrew Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Speech - August 11, 1984 - 7 MB
- WCCO-AM - Killebrew interviewed by Roger Erickson - March 25, 1986 - 16 MB
- WCCO-AM - A sample of color commentary by Killebrew during Game #7 of 1987 World Series plus a post game interview with Jeff Reardon - Oct. 25, 1987 - 2 MB
- WCCO-AM - Killebrew tribute/obituary by Dave Lee - May 2011 - 3 MB
- WCCO-AM - Killebrew funeral coverage including tribute by Bert Blyleven - May 20, 2011 - 28 MB
FIRST TWINS GAME BROADCAST FROM THE METRODOME - 1982
WCCO-AM (830) - Steve Cannon (Cannon Mess) live from the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome before the first Twins game, including an interview with Muriel Humphrey Brown. This is followed by the Twins Pre-Game show and start of the game with Herb Carneal and Frank Quilici - April 6, 1982 - 7 MN [Note: Audio quality is a bit rough]
WCCO RADIO/MINNESOTA TWINS PROMO CAMPAIGNS FROM 1986 AND 1989
WCCO-AM (830) - WCCO Radio/Minnesota Twins promo campaigns from 1986 and 1989 integrating pop music and game play-by-play highlights from Herb Carneal, John Gordon and Joe Angel. 5 MB
MINNESOTA TWINS 1987 WORLD SERIES COVERAGE AND CELEBRATIONS
WCCO-AM (830) - World Series 1987 - Game 7 - Minnesota Twins Win! Conclusion of the game followed by post game celebration coverage with Herb Carneal, John Gordon, Harmon Killebrew, Dan Hertsgard, Twins players and others. (10/25/1987) #1 26 MB - #2 26 MB
WCCO-AM (830) - Minnesota Twins 1987 World Series Victory Parade (October 1987) including Charlie Boone and Roger Erickson broadcasting live from the WCCO Radio van at the front of the parade, Howard Viken, Ruth Koscielak, Herb Carneal, John Gordon, John Rooney, Harmon Killebrew, Bruce Hagevik, Eric Eskola, Jan Jirak, Dean Spratt, John Lundell and others. #1 #2 #3 #4 (mp3 files range from 26 to 29 MB)
A montage sample of music from the 1987 Minnesota Twins World Championship Season as heard on Twin Cities radio stations including "Win Twins" (WCCO-AM), "The Light, Happy Music" (KQRS-FM), "Polka for the Pennant" (KQRS-FM), "The World Series Shuffle" (WCCO-AM), "Pennant Fever '87" (WCCO-AM), "A Matter of Pride" (WCCO-AM), "Voodoo Magic" (KQRS-FM), "Rev it Up" (KDWB-FM), "Homer Hanky" (Star Tribune), "Win Twins '87" (WCCO-AM/KMSP-TV) and "Win Twins Win" by Slave Raider (KJJO-FM) - 9 MB - ("Win Twins Win" provided by Jay Philpott)
WCCO RADIO'S "THE DREAM SERIES" 1965 MINNESOTA TWINS VS. 1987 MINNESOTA TWINS
Note: We currently only have all of the Game #2 and a portion of Game #1 Dream Series broadcasts.
What would have happened if the 1965 MN Twins team had the opportunity to play against the 1987 MN Twins team? We are presenting a wonderful theater of the mind "Dream Series" broadcast that aired on WCCO Radio and many of the MN Twins affiliate radio stations featuring such a matchup. We have the complete broadcast for Game #2. This broadcast took place on March 28. 1991.
The Dream Series starts off with the "On Deck Show" hosted by Mike Woodley with interviews with Dan Gladden, Harmon Killebrew, Jim Kaat, Zoilo Versalles, Don Mincher, and Earl Battey. Sid Hartman's "The Lead Off Man" interview features Jim "Mudcat" Grant. Herb Carneal and John Gordon announce the play-by-play.
WCCO-AM - The Dream Series Game #2: #1 33 MB - #2 37 MB - #3 34 MB - #4 16 MB
Post Game Notes, Stats and Game Broadcast Inning-by-Inning Details - PDF
MINNESOTA TWINS 1991 WORLD SERIES COVERAGE AND CELEBRATIONS
WCCO-AM (830) - World Series 1991 - Game 7 - Minnesota Twins Win! Conclusion of the game followed by one-hour of post game celebration coverage with Herb Carneal, John Gordon, Mike Woodley, Mike Miller, Twins players and others. (10/27/1991) #1 29 MB - #2 29 MB
WCCO-AM (830) - Minnesota Twins 1991 World Series Victory Parade (10/29/1991) including Tim Russell, Ted Robinson Charlie Boone, Roger Erickson, Herb Carneal, John Gordon, Bruce Hagevik, Eric Eskola, Bruce Hagevik, Telly Mamayek, Sid Hartman, Ray Christensen, Jerry Peterson, Mike Woodley, Karen Filloon, Mike Miller, Brooke Aulvin and others.
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 (mp3 files range from 14 to 24 MB)
Kirby Puckett's 1991 World Series Game 6 Home Run - (10/26/1991) Starts with the play-by-play call from the Twins Radio Network followed by the call as heard on the CBS Americas Spanish Radio Network - 1 MB
TWINS BASEBALL - SCOTT ERICKSON NO-HITTER IN 1994 - FINAL FEW MINUTES OF GAME AND POST-GAME
WCCO-AM (830) - Twins Baseball - Scott Erickson's no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers including the final few minutes of the game with Herb Carneal and John Gordon followed by the post-game show including an interview with Erickson. 8 MB (provided by David Valento)
FIRST TWINS GAME BROADCAST FROM TARGET FIELD - 2010
KSTP-AM (1500) - John Gordon & Dan Gladden live from Target Field - April 12, 2010 including the opening/closing portions of the Twins game broadcast - 4 MB
MINNESOTA TWINS POSTING HISTORIC RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY BROADCASTS ON YOUTUBE
Since the Minnesota Twins acquired the radio broadcast rights in 2007, there has been a search for archived historic Twins games. For the past few years, Tom Gavaras with RadioTapes has been helping the Twins restore game broadcasts from WCCO Radio logger reel-to-reel tapes. These reels play at a very slow speed. Because of the slow speed, audio quality is limited. Game broadcasts are from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s with Herb Carneal, Halsey Hall, Merle Harmon, Ray Christensen, Frank Quilici, and others. The Twins are posting some of the games on their YouTube channel. Here is the LINK.
Minnesota Vikings Football
MINNESOTA VIKINGS PLAY-BY-PLAY FROM 1969 WITH RAY CHRISTENSEN
WCCO-AM (830) Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams in a Western Conference Championship game at Metropolitan Stadium on December 27. 1969 with Ray Christensen and Paul Giel. The aircheck includes the entire second half starting when the Rams were leading 17 to 7 with the Vikings responding to win 23 to 20. - 29 MB
MINNESOTA VIKINGS - "MIRACLE AT THE MET" - 1980
WCCO-AM (830) - Ray Scott and Grady Alderman, Minnesota Vikings play-by-play call of Tommy Kramer's "Hail Mary" pass to Ahmad Rashid resulting in a dramatic win over Cleveland - 1 MB (provided by Steve Aggergaard).
Steve Aggergaard writes:: "As I recall the story, Grady jumped out of his chair and dropped his headset on the press box's floor. The thumping sound you hear is Grady fishing around for his headset while trying to watch the field."
FINAL MINNESOTA VIKINGS GAME AT MET STADIUM - 1981
WCCO-AM (830) - Final Minnesota Vikings game at Met Vikings (vs Chiefs) with final minute of play-by-play with Ray Scott and Stu Voigt followed by 30 minutes of the Vikings Feedback (post-game show) with Bill Diehl, Paul Flatley, Paul Giel and Dick Enroth - 29 MB (provided by Kurt Rosselit)
BUD GRANT INTERVIEW ON KSTP-FM (KS95) WITH CHUCK KNAPP AND MICHAEL J. DOUGLAS - 1984
KSTP-FM (94.5) - Knapp and Donuts (Chuck Knapp and Michael J. Douglas) including an announcement from Vikings Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mike Lynn, that KS95 would be the new flagship radio station for Vikings Football play-by-play plus an interview with Bud Grant, who was brought back to the Vikings as head coach following the firing of Les Steckel - 20 MB
MINNESOTA VIKINGS - PLAY-BY-PLAY HIGHLIGHTS FROM 1988-1989
WCCO-AM (830) - Brad Nessler with Minnesota Vikings play-by-play highlights from the 1988 and 1989 seasons - 2 MB
MORE SPORTS AIRCHECKS
TRIBUTES AND COVERAGE ON THE DEATH OF BABE RUTH THAT AIRED IN 1948 ON WLOL-AM AND KSTP AM/FM
WLOL-AM (1330) - Mutual Radio Tribute to Babe Ruth broadcast on August 17, 1948 and hosted by Bert Lytell. Opens with a WLOL station identification. 11 MB (provided by David Becker)
Includes tributes by William Harridge, President of the American League; Ford Frick, President of the National League; Mel Allen (an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees), Clark Griffith, owner of the Washington Senators; Babe Ruth interview from 1937 (while hunting); Tom Zachary (19-year career in Major League Baseball that lasted from 1918 to 1936); Waite Hoyt (an American right-handed professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for seven different teams during 1918-1938); Albert Chandler (Commissioner of Baseball from 1945 to 1951); and a report from Bob Emerick at Yankee Stadium where Babe Ruth's funeral took place and thousands of fans got a chance to walk past the open casket of the famous home run hitter.
WLOL-AM (1330) - Dick Enroth reading The Great Babe Has Struck Out followed by play-by-play of the last half of the 7th inning of the Minneapolis Millers vs. the Louisville Colonels - August 17, 1948. 3 MB (provided by David Becker)
WLOL-AM (1330) - In The Bleachers with Stu Mann reporting on the passing of Babe Ruth and tribute includes a recording of Babe Ruth being speaking at Yankee Stadium during "Babe Ruth Day" a year earlier. Plus one of the last interviews that Ruth gave about two-months before his passing by 11-year-old Johnny Ross of Minneapolis when Ruth was in Minneapolis. August 17, 1948. 4 MB (provided by David Becker)
KSTP-AM/FM (1500 / 102.1 - KSTP-FM's frequency in 1948) - National Broadcasting Company (NBC) "A Ballad for The Babe" aired on August 17, 1948. Includes a station identification for KSTP AM & FM and a Bulova watch commercial. 10 MB (provided by David Becker)
All of the above recordings were recorded on Recordio Discs by David Becker's great aunt in 1948.
WCCO-AM - Sportscast with Halsey Hall - 1 MB (provided by Mark Durenberger)
1/15/1967
SUPER BOWL I - GAME BROADCAST OPEN AND CLOSE
WCCO-AM (830) - CBS Radio coverage of Super Bowl I (opening and closing). The First AFL-NFL World Championship
The National Football League champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American Football League champion Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 35-10. Audio quality is poor, but we thought this would still be of interest. - 8 MB
3/8/1971
THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY - ALI VS. FRAZIER
KDHL AM/FM (920/95.9 - Faribault, MN) - 3/8/1971- Mutual Broadcasting System's coverage of the "The Fight of the Century" - Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier #1 25 MB - #2 24 MB
ANNOUNCEMENT/COVERAGE OF THE DEATH OF HALSEY HALL - 1977
WCCO-AM (830) - Announcement of the death of Halsey Hall with Bill Diehl interviews with Calvin Griffith, Paul Giel, Charlie Johnson, Rollie Johnson and Dr. E.W. Ziebarth. #1 28 MB - #2 28 MB (provided by Bill Lund, Digital on Location, Woodbury, MN)
WCCO-AM (830) - Coverage of the Death of Halsey Hall with Dan Hertsgaard interviewing Allen Gray (provided by Bill Lund, Digital on Location, Woodbury, MN)
WCCO RADIO SPORTS HUDDLE BROADCAST FROM ROGER MARIS GOLF TOURNAMENTI
WCCO-AM (830) - Sports Huddle with Sid Hartman and Dave Mona broadcasting with a live audience from the Roger Maris Golf Tournament in Fargo, ND. Includes sports discussion with Sid & Dave, special guests including Hank Bauer and Frank Quilici, the Tom Kelly Show, questions from the audience, lots of stories from Sid, and more. #1 22 MB - #2 17 MB.
SUPER BOWL I - GAME BROADCAST OPEN AND CLOSE
WCCO-AM (830) - CBS Radio coverage of Super Bowl I (opening and closing). The First AFL-NFL World Championship
The National Football League champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American Football League champion Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 35–10. Audio quality is poor, but we thought this would still be of interest. - 8 MB
