Tag: George Blaha | No Filter Sports

Episode 178: Welcome, Lary! THIS is How We Roll!

September 25, 2020 01:26:20

Good luck?!

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Fred Heumann!

Ex-MLB and U-M pitcher Lary Sorensen will have a role in many of our future shows. Did HE get an earful today as the boys fuss and FEUD!
First — a fiery exchange over new Lions’ boss Sheila Ford Hamp. As usual, it’s Eli and Denny vs. Bob with “let’s give her a chance!” vs. “what a joke!”
Then later, a REALLY “fiery exchange” between Denny and Bob over baseball!
Denny also continues to insist the FL’s will NOT fire Matt Patricia this year. Eli: hold the phone on that one with an 0-4 start looming.
The legendary Gale Sayers passed away this week at 77. Was he the first great BLACK halfback ever?
Sayers was arguably THE greatest running back PERIOD. So, who was MLB’s greatest starting pitcher? Bob says only that nobody’s ever been BETTER than de Grom.
With the Tigers’ season essentially over for some time, what to do about Miggy SUDDENLY looking like MIGGY again?
A listener wonders where on EARTH Denny got his “scoop” that the Tigers would name Lance Parrish to replace Gardy?
Get ready for a whopping 16 teams in the MLB playoffs — permanently — or even more! Ya like that idea?
Since Denny has ZERO interest in hockey, that must mean none of YOU cares about hockey — right? Bob still pays tribute to two famous Michigan hockey products.
Eli has “This Day in Sports History” then wages another battle with Bob over YOUR Mailbag. WHEW! What a DAY! Those stories and more right here. Be ready!

Episode 162: Former Pistons Star Makes REAL Good!

July 30, 2020 01:32:08

I don’t want anybody to know what I’m doing!

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

“How to Succeed in Business WITH Really Trying?” What a life ex-Pistons star JOHN MENGELT has had! “Crash” joins the boys.
Eli comes up with an interesting stat: as of Thursday we were already 1/10th through the MLB season!
Fantastic start for the Tigers’ Jacoby Jones. Will he someday become a big star? Eli: Maybe Denny: NO! Bob: YES!
Miguel Cabrera is slow. Uh, HOW slow IS he? Pathetically slow - and perhaps washed up too!
Joe Kelly of the Dodgers was slapped with an eight-game suspension after headhunting the Astros. Fair?
Oh. You haven’t been watching MLB games? Had enough of COVID issues, eh? Don’t worry. It’s all FAKE — says one NBA player.
Racism, real or not, is cutting a swath through the U.S. Will one of the Big Ten’s best-known coaches be a victim?
MANY alleged victims file a lawsuit charging that Bo Schembechler WAS guilty in the U-M sex abuse scandal.
Those stories, Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob has YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 160: 50 YEARS in Detroit Sportscasting!

July 23, 2020 01:35:30

The one! The only! The magic one!

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

LOOK! Up in the sky! It’s a BIRD! It’s a PLANE! NO, it’s SUPERFAN Ron Cameron! A TRUE Detroit original.
Eli’s not with us, off on a well-deserved family vacation, so it’s just Denny and Bob stirring up all the —- today!
MLB is back. Kinda. And the guys are NOT happy about the Tigers’ apparently throwing in the towel already!
Are YOU looking forward to watching a bastardized short season in empty stadiums or arenas?
Bob’s solution to allowing fans in at games remains logical. He’s CRESTFALLEN sports execs aren’t listening to him.
If fans WERE allowed to attend live games, would many stay away anyway over political and social protests?
The team without a town! Should the Toronto Blue Jays come knocking at YOUR door, would you let ’em in?
Denny says WHAT? “They’re gonna be pretty good this year!” And he’s talking about — WHOM?!
College football remains a mess due to COVID (what doesn’t?) but MSU may have just set a bad precedent.
Fans of The Mailbag finally have their ardent demand met: a much LONGER segment with no Eli around!
And is an NBA ROOKIE trying to run his new team’s front office?! These stories and much more right here.

Dennis Polonich playing hockey for Detroit Red Wings

Episode 148: How on EARTH Did Polo Do It?!

June 11, 2020 01:28:14

He had a huge heart.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

Was he, pound for pound, the best fighter in NHL history? Ex-Red Wings fan fave DENNIS POLONICH joins the boys!
Eli fesses up: as a New Yawk guy, he LIKES hockey but just didn’t grow up with it. He likes most hockey players even more.
The Tigers take slugger Spencer Torkelson #1 overall in the MLB draft. Bob cautions about getting TOO geeked.
Commissioner Rob Manfred: baseball WILL be back in 2020. Where he got THAT info, who knows? But Denny agrees.
NBA players are beginning to balk about resuming their season in Orlando with no family, no friends allowed to visit.
NASCAR has made the decision to ban Confederate flags at race events. But how will they enforce it?!
Allen Iverson just turned 45 this week and you can always count on Eli for some GREAT stories about A.I.
The PGA Tour is BACK! No fans, of course — and already some of golf’s biggest names are complaining about that.
Those stories, YOUR weekly Mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 147: He’s Multitalented and Multifaceted! He’s John Smoltz!

June 8, 2020 01:35:11

Maybe I would have been the next Lawrence Welk. Who knows?

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

Ah, what might have been for JOHN SMOLTZ and the Tigers! The MLB Hall of Famer from Lansing is our guest!
Smoltzie just wants to be doing TV baseball again, but politics and demonstrations have taken over the sports world instead.
Will the NFL now let its players stage protests during the national anthem?! Bob wonders where THAT might lead.
For all you Caucasians, are YOU now “embarrassed to be a white person?” Don’t laugh! An NBA coaching star says HE is!
During a demonstration, what would happen if you caught a punk destroying your car? Well, YOU might be arrested!
Producer Brandon McAfee and the boys take a vote: would they watch a big game with no fans to cheer?
Ultimate Fighting Champ Conor McGregor retires — again. Eli and Denny yawn: “he’ll be back.”
Golf IS back and now you can even use a special cart with a partner (GASP!) — if you’re really THAT worried about COVID-19.
Wimbledon? Canceled! The U.S. Open? Probably not, but would it be worth watching without “The Big Three?”
Those stories, a listener wants to ask Denny’s questions FOR him on YOUR mailbag segment and much more — right here!

Episode 139: The “Spaceman” — on EVERYTHING!

May 11, 2020 01:32:30

One of the great characters in sports.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

You wanted to WHAT? BULLDOZE the Rocky Mountains?! It’s the one and only “SPACEMAN,” BILL LEE, on with us today!
What’s going on in sports? Almost NOTHING! But Eli, Denny and Bob still make the proverbial chicken SOUP outta chicken BLEEP.
Sports leagues planning to start again? Rumors abound every day. But HOW — and WHEN?
Human cockfighting had a big weekend anyway, though Eli calls it (and maybe YOU do too) “Ultimate Fighting Championship.”
At 53 (and apparently in need of money), Mike Tyson says he’s thinking about a comeback! How would HE do in UFC?
Whenever baseball announces it’s ready, is it possible ANOTHER issue could keep its doors closed?
MLB has now cut its draft rounds back due to COVID-19, but will that only help the rich (THE YANKEES!) get richer?
Baseball has changed SO much — and maybe not for the better. Denny rants on NOW versus THEN.
Cheating in college basketball? Biz as usual. Coach K even cheating?! Bob: “NEVER!” Eli: “Shut up, you Dukie!”
Those stories, we check in on Denny’s busy, uh, “social life,” YOUR Mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 138: NOLAN and FRANK — Oh, MY!!!

May 7, 2020 01:25:26

The best 1-2 punch since Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

From booze and broads in L.A. to “rebirth” in his hometown, Detroit’s own FRANK TANANA is our guest!
As they used to say: VCR ALERT!!! A THREE-HOUR TV special JUST on the new NFL sked! (Yippee)
There ARE certain pro sports underway in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Desperate enough yet to watch them?
Michigan and Michigan State football: Who needs EITHER? — as one famous coach seems to be implying.
Eli has more on the sex abuse scandal at U-M. A listener asks, “How is a ‘retired’ sports reporter scooping the CURRENT media?!”
Pete Rose selfish and reckless for still signing at sport shows? Bob says “B.S.!” Pete corked his bats? DENNY says “BFD!”
Eli has a confession: he actually listens to local sports radio “guy-talk!” But he still makes fun of it.
NBA issues: WHEN it returns there may be a big drop-off in play AND is K.D. still paid $$$$ if his Nets are not ALLOWED to play?
Will ESPN’s “Last Dance” NEVER end?! NOW we go from EVERYONE hating on Isiah to Sir Charles and M.J. hating on each other.
Bob details how and why Giants quarterback Phil Simms said an emphatic “NO!” to playing golf with Michael.
Eli said “YES!” to HIS golf game with comedian Tim Allen. THOSE stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

May 4, 2020 01:33:03

An incredible career that started very modestly.
It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

He’s known all over Michigan and the NBA. For 44 years the voice of the Pistons. GEORGE BLAHA joins us today!

Will there BE an NBA season? The NFL says IT’S starting on time but, oh, the problems they’ll have!
Bob asks how owners will pay the MILLIONS they owe on guaranteed contracts with few fans and lower ticket prices.
ESPN’s latest episodes of “The Last Dance” expose more anger between MJ and Isiah.
Vegas has pitched a plan to finish the seasons for the major sports leagues. The response? Deafening silence!
But the odds ARE out for the FLs’ 2020 season. About as encouraging as news of their LATEST blown top draft pick.
MSU and U-M’s odds on winning a national championship this year? Understandable in East Lansing, HUMILIATING in Ann Arbor!
Meanwhile, what did Bo and Canham know — and when did they know it? Eli’s U-M sources have a LOT to say on the subject!
“So, Miss, I don’t know how to put this, but, uh, there’s something I’d like to ask you about your, um, physical endowments. May I?”
Those stories, a BIG thanks to all of you who are donating to the show, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 135: “Local Boy Makes GOOD?” Makes BIG STAR!

April 27, 2020 01:34:24

On his way up he did all kinds of things!

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

Did you know that national play-by-play star Gus Johnson is from Detroit AND was a great athlete in his own right? Gus Guests!
Meanwhile, Denny suddenly reveals a STUNNER about one of the most beloved play-by-play men in HISTORY!
Larry Adderley has died. Bob’s ex-colleague at WXYZ-TV a victim of Alzheimer’s — as is ANOTHER top Detroit sportscaster.
Can’t ANYONE stop these bull-bleep NFL post-draft analyses? NOBODY KNOWS who had a good or bad draft! We’ll talk in FIVE YEARS!
The ESPN coverage itself is a BIG part of the problem. But we all watched, didn’t we? Did you like what YOU saw?
What does your high school kid need to gain entrance to prestigious Tulane? A damn good jump shot! We explain.
“The Last Dance” episodes 3 and 4 aired over the weekend featuring the Bulls vs Pistons 88′ - 91′. Had enough Rodman YET?
Denny tells of once facing the hardest-throwing pitcher who ever LIVED! RIP Steve Dalkowski.
Good news! He also says there may be hope for a legendary Tigers World Series opponent whom we’d THOUGHT to be dying.
Those stories, Eli — WHAT?! — uptight about YOUR Mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 91: The Life of an NFL kicker? Jason Hanson Tells All!

November 21, 2019 01:24:17

It starts with the snap.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page.

Kickers are ALWAYS the best — interviews! You’ll hear that for yourself as ex-Lions’ star Jason Hanson joins the boys.
The FL’s play the Crummy Game of the Week vs. the PUTRID Redskins featuring TWO bungling owners, a man and WOMAN each.
LA and Baltimore have a key MNF matchup but a former Raven ain’t gonna help his new team! Eli and Denny are surprised.
College football: Bob repeats his prediction for the Michigan-Michigan State game: Michigan will ALSO “kill” Indiana!
And are you ready for The Big One? It’s MSU at mighty Rutgers! As usual, Mark Dantonio himself overshadows all.
DEATH threats to college players! Do a few nut-jobs take these games, played by mere kids, too seriously? DUH.
The winningest coach in Wings’ history, Mike Babcock, FIRED in Toronto! A case of history repeating itself?
The Pistons’ Don Casey embattled as well! Is HE to blame for the team’s pathetic lack of effort?
Kalamazoo’s own Derek Jeter and 18 others debut on the Hall of Fame ballot. Is it finally Sweet Lou’s time?
On YOUR Mailbag segment: “Dammit, take a chill pill, Eli!” Those stories and much more right here