You’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Kennedy Expressway. The sun is setting behind the skyline, and you’ve got two choices: scroll through a repetitive playlist of songs you’ve heard a thousand times, or tune in to the pulse of the city. For decades, the decision for most Chicagoans has been easy. They listen to 670 AM radio, better known as WSCR "The Score." It isn’t just about the signal. It's about the noise—the arguments, the agonizing losses, and the rare, euphoric wins that define life in the Windy City.
AM radio was supposed to die years ago. Tech experts predicted that streaming and podcasts would bury the medium under a mountain of digital convenience. They were wrong. Especially in Chicago.
The Survival of the Signal
There is something visceral about the 50,000-watt blowtorch that is 670 The Score. It reaches across Illinois, into Indiana, and skips across Lake Michigan into Wisconsin and Michigan at night. Honestly, it’s kinda impressive how a technology from the early 20th century still holds its own against fiber-optic internet. While high-definition digital audio is crisp, it lacks the "neighborhood" feel of a live broadcast. When you listen to 670 AM radio, you aren't just consuming content. You are joining a massive, invisible town square where everyone is yelling about the Bears' offensive line or the Cubs' bullpen depth.
The station, owned by Audacy, has survived because it understands its audience. It’s not polished. It’s gritty. It's Chicago.
Why Local Talk Beats National Podcasts
National sports shows are fine if you want generic takes on LeBron James or the NFL playoffs. But if you want to know why the White Sox are struggling with their mid-rotation starters, ESPN’s national feed won't help you. You need local experts like Dan Bernstein or Laurence Holmes. These guys live and breathe the local beat. They’ve been in the locker rooms. They’ve seen the cycles of rebuilds and "all-in" seasons.
The beauty of the format lies in the caller.
Think about "Tony from Berwyn" or "Mary from the South Side." These aren't paid actors. They are real people who spend their hard-earned money on tickets and jerseys. Their passion—and often their irrational anger—is what makes sports talk radio addictive. You can’t get that from a pre-recorded podcast. A podcast is a monologue; 670 The Score is a heated conversation at a dive bar where the beer is cheap and the opinions are loud.
The Powerhouse Lineup
If you're new to the frequency, the schedule matters. The mornings usually kick off with "Mully & Haugh" (Mike Mulligan and David Haugh). They provide a steady, journalistic approach to the previous night's games. It’s the "coffee and newspaper" vibe of the station. It's reliable.
Then things get a bit more opinionated.
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The midday and afternoon slots are where the real debates happen. This is when the station shifts from reporting to analyzing—and sometimes just plain venting. It’s during these hours that the "Score-heads" really come out. The chemistry between hosts is what keeps people tuned in for four-hour blocks. They don't always agree. In fact, when they disagree, it’s better radio.
High Stakes and Live Play-by-Play
A huge reason people still listen to 670 AM radio is the exclusive access to live games. The Score is the long-time home of the Chicago Cubs. There is a specific nostalgia associated with hearing the crack of the bat through an AM transmitter. Even with the advent of Marquee Sports Network and various streaming apps, Pat Hughes remains the voice of summer for millions.
Hughes, a Ford C. Frick Award winner, is a master of the "word picture."
When you’re listening to him describe a 3-2 count in the bottom of the ninth at Wrigley Field, you don't need a TV. You can see the shadows stretching across the ivy. You can feel the tension in the bleachers. This is the peak of the medium. It’s a specialized skill set that translates perfectly to the 670 AM frequency. Beyond the Cubs, the station often serves as a hub for Bulls and Blackhawks coverage, making it an essential utility for anyone following the Chicago sports calendar.
Dealing with the "AM Static" Myth
Is the audio quality perfect? No. It's AM radio.
If you drive under a power line or near a hospital, you might get some interference. But for many, that slight crackle is part of the charm. It’s authentic. However, if the static drives you crazy, the station has adapted. You can find the same broadcast on 104.3 FM HD2, or stream it via the Audacy app. But there is a segment of the population—purists, maybe—who insist that the only way to experience the Score is on the 670 dial. It feels more "official."
The Science of 50,000 Watts
Let's talk technicals for a second. WSCR operates on a clear channel. This doesn't mean "clear" like a bell; it refers to a specific FCC designation. In the early days of radio, the government realized that signals would overlap and cause chaos. To solve this, they designated certain stations as "clear channels," meaning no other station in the country can use that frequency at night.
Because 670 AM has this designation, its signal can travel hundreds of miles after the sun goes down.
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The Ionosphere reflects the AM waves back to Earth, a phenomenon known as "skip." This is why a trucker in Nashville or a student in Minneapolis can sometimes tune in and hear about the Bears' coaching search. It’s a piece of analog magic in a digital world.
The Community Element
The Score isn't just about scores. It's about charity and community impact. Their annual "Score to Settle" events and various radiothons for organizations like the Chicago Cubs Charities show a different side of the "angry sports talk" persona. It proves the station is a pillar of the community, not just a place to complain about a missed field goal.
They also host live remotes.
Walking into a suburban Buffalo Wild Wings and seeing your favorite radio host sitting at a table with a headset on is a uniquely local experience. It breaks the "fourth wall" of media. You can walk up, say hi, and realize these guys are just as obsessed with the city as you are.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Listening Experience
If you want to dive in, don't just listen passively. Get involved.
- Learn the phone number. 312-644-6767. Memorize it. If you have a take, call it in. Even if you don't get on air, the producers listen to the sentiment of the callers to shape the show.
- Follow the producers. Often, the guys "behind the glass" like Shane Riordan or Chris Tannehill are just as funny and insightful as the hosts. They run the Twitter (X) accounts and provide the memes that keep the community engaged online.
- Check the podcasts for missed segments. If you missed a specific interview with a GM or a star player, the Score uploads segments almost immediately to digital platforms.
- Check the signal at night. If you’re traveling outside of Illinois, try to find 670 on the dial around 10:00 PM. It’s a fun experiment to see just how far that 50,000-watt signal can reach.
The Misconception of "Old Media"
Some people think radio is for people over 60. That’s a mistake. The demographics for sports talk are surprisingly wide. Younger fans who are tired of the "hot take" culture of FS1 or ESPN often find refuge in the more nuanced, long-form discussions found on the AM dial. You get deep dives into analytics that you won't find on a 30-second TikTok clip.
It’s about context.
In a world of headlines, 670 AM gives you the story behind the headline. They explain the "why" of a trade or the "how" of a salary cap maneuver. It's an education in sports management wrapped in entertainment.
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Navigating the Future
As we move further into 2026, the way we listen to 670 AM radio will continue to evolve. Car manufacturers are, frustratingly, trying to remove AM tuners from electric vehicles due to electromagnetic interference. This is a battle currently being fought in Congress with the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act."
Why does this matter? Because in emergencies, AM radio is the most resilient communication tool we have.
But beyond safety, it’s about heritage. Removing AM from cars would be like tearing down the old scoreboards at Wrigley. Sure, you can replace them with something "better," but you lose the soul of the experience. For now, the signal remains strong, and the voices remain loud.
Final Takeaways for the Listener
If you’re looking for a way to stay connected to Chicago, this is it. It’s more than just a frequency; it’s a daily rhythm. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just someone who wants to know why everyone at the office is grumpy on Monday morning after a Bears loss, the Score provides that context.
Start by tuning in during your morning commute. Listen to the different personalities. You'll eventually find a duo that matches your "vibe." Maybe you like the hard-hitting journalism of the morning crew, or maybe you prefer the irreverent, pop-culture-heavy leanings of the afternoon shows.
The next time you're in the car, skip the playlist. Flip the dial to 670. Listen to the city talk to itself. You might find that the static and the shouting are exactly what you were missing.
Actionable Steps:
- Download the Audacy app to ensure you can listen even when you're inside buildings with poor reception.
- Follow @670TheScore on social media to see video clips of the best in-studio moments.
- If you’re a Cubs fan, check the broadcast schedule specifically for Pat Hughes' "Summary of the Game"—it’s a masterclass in sports broadcasting.
- If you have a strong opinion on a local team, call the station during the "Transition" segments between shows; it's often the most entertaining part of the day.