50 years ago: 1970

• Mike Antonovich of Calumet recorded a hat trick and added an assist as the Minnesota Gophers hockey team defeated Michigan, 8-6.

• After entertaining school children throughout the day in Albert Lea, the Harlem Saturns traveling basketball team defeated the “athletic establishment of District 241” 110-77 in front of 1,400 spectators at Southwest gym. The game was interrupted when Ed Norfleet of the Saturns shattered a backboard on a lay-up, sending glass all over the floor. Jim Gustafson, Leo Holl, Les Ettienne, Rod Johnson, Ed Mikulich and Doug Christopherson were amongst the many teachers playing for Albert Lea. Vern Jensen and Paul Ehrhardt officiated the game.

• The Minnesota Twins announced that Tony Oliva had agreed to a new contract for 1970, getting a raise from $50,000 to $60,000. Rod Carew also was signed, getting a raise from $25,000 to $40,000.

• Earle Combs, Jessie “Pop” Haines and former commissioner Ford Frick were selected by the Old-Timers Committee to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. They would be joined by Lou Bordreau in the ceremony to be held in Cooperstown, New York, in July.

25 years ago: 1995

• Steve Young tossed six touchdown passes to set a Super Bowl record and threw for 325 yards as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers 49 to 26 in Super Bowl XXIX.

• The Albert Lea ninth grade wrestling team took the individual state tournament in Hastings. Josh Ignaszewski, Kenny Dreyling, Jeff Wilder and Jared Palmer captured individual titles.

• Despite having three girls in double figures, the Albert Lea girls’ basketball team fell 71-58 to Austin at Southwest gym. Melanie Morfitt led the Tigers with 13 points, with Mary Kuiters adding 12 and Heidi Irvine 10.

10 years ago: 2010

• Junior Dylan Stolt scored three goals and added an assist as the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team defeated Owatonna 5-4 at Albert Lea City Arena.

• After winning the American League MVP, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was selected to be on the cover of the video game “MLB 10 The Show.”

• Peter Hansen scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Glenville-Emmons Wolverines boys’ basketball team defeated Grand Meadow 63-59. Tyler Woodside added 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

This year

• Alden-Conger  1977 graduate Steve Fulton has written two fascinating books on baseball that are now available online at barnesandnoble.com. “Every Diamond Does Sparkle… “The Playoffs” features 575 pages of every playoff game in baseball history. “Every Diamond Sparkles More..”The World Series” features 600 pages of every game ever played in the World Series. Both books feature a forward from long-time Alden-Conger baseball coach Neil Pierce.