Mel Tucker

Episode 176: D Mac: Amazing Story, GREAT Interview!

Daren McCarty

I bleed red and white. 

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

  • “The game’s too fast. I don’t think I could’ve played now.” One of the most popular players in Wings’ history, guest DARREN McCARTY, has a LOT to say with us!
  • Guest HOST Fred Heumann has covered The Big Ten(14) for many years so HE has a lot to say about conference football suddenly — huh? — being back ON now?
  • Michigan QB Dylan McCaffrey is just the latest college player to opt out of the season. But the boys agree: this AIN’T about COVID-19.
  • With a near-certain loss at Green Bay Sunday, Bob takes a peek at the FLs’ schedule and MAY yet get Denny to flip-flop on a coaching change.
  • Yep, Mr. Heumann should fit right in with THIS show. Wait’ll you hear him utterly DESTROY Matt Patricia!
  • So, are we watching football games on TV — or oh-so-hot young women hosting a fashion show?! Shame on gals like Maria Taylor? No. Shame on The Empty Suits.
  • Eek! Oh, NO! It’s (gulp) those big bullies, the Cleveland Indians, licking their chops over the Tigers series this weekend — but all is NOT lost for the future.
  • Ever researched why those famous figures are on the front of “Sgt Peppers?” How about also researching why DIFFERENT famous figures are now “seated” at Comerica?
  • Bob gets us up to speed on the NBA and NHL playoffs. Denny responds to him, “Who cares?! NOBODY’S gonna watch!”
  • The U.S. Open is underway — right after the U.S. Open just ENDED Sunday! This time it’s GOLF. Denny, ahem, claims to have nearly tamed fabled Winged Foot.
  • With Eli off, we’ll save his “This Day in Sports” for Monday’s show, but Bob’s got YOUR mailbag and WE’VE got much more — right here.

Episode 171: “I BLEED Green and White!”

Lorenzo White in Spartans uniform

Lorenzo White…the former Spartan great.

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

  • Bo Jackson stole HIS Heisman! And so did Tim Brown! Ex-MSU superstar running back LORENZO WHITE is our guest!
  • Eli starts the show by admitting he’s depressed these days with the world SO messed up. Bob: Join the club.
  • The Tigers have found life again! They’re challenging for the playoffs. Denny is NOT impressed. Ditto with Casey Mize.
  • Is there life still left in the old man? Miggy smacks his 2,000th career hit as a Tiger and is having FUN again!
  • COVID-19 on the wane? The NBA now says it’s going to open its bubble to friends and family of the players.
  • Dustin Johnson really impresses Denny and Eli despite falling in a playoff Sunday to a miraculous putt.
  • One of the legends of college basketball has died. Bob’s not the only guy who had issues with John Thompson.
  • Excuse me, WHAT was that amazing pitching line on Denny McLain again?! Even HE can’t believe it.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and much more right here!

Episode 168: Tom Izzo: Coach of the PISTONS?!

Frank Izzo

I think he regrets not taking that job.

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

  • Eli’s on vacation so veteran sportscaster FRED HEUMANN joins us with some big opinions and stories!
  • Casey Mize makes his LONG-awaited MLB debut! MOST of us thought he did well. NOT Denny!
  • Al Avila says on a Friday that Mize and the other kids are NOT ready. By MONDAY they ARE?! Bob thinks he knows why.
  • Thom Brennaman commits the ultimate TV/radio sin: not so much WHAT he said, it’s the cardinal rule he FORGOT!
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a grand slam on a 3-0 count with his team up by SEVEN in the 8th inning — and the feces hits the fan!
  • The NFL is now considering a postseason “bubble” which has worked for the NBA and NHL.
  • Most of COLLEGE football is not going to play at all. Players, parents and one prominent medical expert are VERY unhappy.
  • A potentially GREAT Michigan O-lineman has already seen enough. HE’S heading to the pros!
  • One of the legal world’s greatest truisms: how much “justice” can you afford? In Robert Kraft’s case, a LOT!
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports” — just for Denny McLain, YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

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

Collage of Frank Tanana baseball cards

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 122: “Panic at the DISCO?” Panic EVERYWHERE!!!

Group of medical face masks

It’s not panic. It’s called precaution.

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

  • The most famous AND controversial ump in MLB, COWBOY JOE WEST, joins us today with LOTSA great stories!
  • Stand by, ladies and gents, cuz ELI ZARET has a special announcement to make! Whether you’ll believe him is …
  • Help! Help! We’re ALL gonna DIE of Coronavirus! At least Eli and Denny seem to think so. BOB calls “bulls—!”
  • Sports betting is now legal and open for business in Michigan! Only problem is, there may not be any sports to bet on.  
  • First tennis, then college basketball tournaments, then the NBA and MORE! OMG, what will we DO without SPORTS?!
  • Um, spend more time with our loved ones and friends? (Gasp!) read BOOKS? Get off the couch and go work out?
  • The TPC is still on — as of THIS writing. Can slumping Brooks Koepka win? HE sez he’s gotten some VERY special help.
  • Tom Brady is launching a production company. Make Eli LAUGH! HE knows what a daunting thing that is to do.
  • Ex-MSU football assistant Curtis Blackwell is back with ANOTHER lawsuit, now alleging Mark Dantonio is a RACIST! Yeah, right.
  • Gronk to become WHAT? A pro wrestler for the WWE? Our resident expert, producer Brandon McAfee, is all over it! 
  • Those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here.

Episode 116: Leave It To — BEEZER!

John Vanbiesbrouck's Florida Panther jersey

That’s the way he rolls.

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

  • One of the greatest hockey names in Michigan history, long-time NHL goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, is our guest!
  • There’s WHAT Saturday night? Eli laments that a World Heavyweight Boxing Championship is just not a big deal anymore. 
  • U-M basketball comes up with an impressive and important win at Rutgers — without Isaiah Livers.
  • It’s official. Ex-Michigan coach John Beilein is out as head coach of the Cadaverliers. Eli’s seen THIS movie before.
  • Denny comes up with a GREAT suggestion on how MLB should punish the Astros!
  • Could Giancarlo Stanton really have hit 80 homers in 2017 if HE had cheated too? Denny says NO WAY! Bob says WAY! .
  • Aubrey Huff’s idiotic Tweets have cost him an invite to the reunion of the Giants’ 2010 World Series champions. But is it right?
  • And the hits just keep on comin’! STILL more trouble for MSU football and its former head coach Mark Dantonio.
  • Meanwhile, Michigan football now has its OWN scandal going on and Eli knew the creep who was responsible for it all.
  • NASCAR’s Ryan Newman almost DIES at Daytona, Alan Trammell COULD have in a snowmobile crash! Bob doesn’t get the “need for speed.”
  • What Piston just hit the NBA Lottery? That story, “Piggy” comes to YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 115: Denny Deals — to KALINE and FREEHAN!

Denny McLain

I had a lot a fun pitching against those guys.

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

  • More on MSU’s Mel Mess! DENVER POST COLUMNIST SEAN KEELER joins the boys to discuss some hard feelings out west.
  • Two other top stories rage on as well: the Astros’ sign-stealing and Kobe’s tragic death.
  • MSU basketball’s problems continue and now Eli wonders how a certain Spartan star makes money for his young family.
  • He’s RICH, one HELLUVA college basketball coach and a really good guy. So why are many feeling sorry for John Beilein?
  • Michigan roundball’s going well again — but how ’bout them Wolverines on the DIAMOND!
  • Baseball’s Tony Fernandez is dead at 57. What a career he had, as older Tigers fans certainly remember.
  • Denny’s memory is indeed clear! Bob confirms his tales of trouble with Boog Powell. Whom did Denny OWN?
  • Minor League baseball players got a raise. Eli and Denny debate whether the bump is enough.
  • Bob calls out Jeff Blashill and the Wings — AGAIN. Simply put: no guts, no glory.
  • In YOUR Mailbag, producer Brandon McAfee is a HERO. He MUST be for putting up with US! Those stories and more right here

 

Episode 114: Jason “Rooftop” Thompson: My Life in Baseball

Jason Thompson batting

The old guys call me Rooftop, the younger kids have no idea who I am!

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

  • JASON THOMPSON joins the boys who ask why Sparky got rid of him, what it was like to be part of “Birdmania” and much more!
  • Mel Tucker is the new MSU football coach. You say Michigan media people were SOFT on this story? WE will NOT be!
  • Ah, those “student-athletes.” Two football players banished from Ohio State over rape allegations!
  • Is MLB going to update its playoff format to 14 teams — and pick your OWN opponent?! Denny has an alternative.
  • The Astros’ sign-stealing is still making folks angry — and Denny’s even angrier about Pete Rose asking back in. 
  • Are the FL’s really going to trade Matthew Stafford? How much could they get for him at this point?
  • Eli says the Pistons are worth a BILLION dollars more than Tom Gores paid for them! Bob explains why he REALLY wanted the team.
  • “Screaming” Tom Izzo MAY have righted his sinking ship with a big win at Illinois.
  • But don’t blame Northwestern for losing to Michigan’s basketball team. The Mildcats do things the right way.
  • Those stories, Denny McLain, golf hustler as part of YOUR mailbag segment plus MORE right here.

Episode 113: Is There No END to Embarrassment at MSU?!

Luke Fickell wearing headset

It’s just too messy a situation.

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

  • Pro Football HOFer HARRY CARSON joins the boys to discuss his career, Parcells, Belichick, his advocacy for player safety and more!
  • ANOTHER unmitigated DISASTER for Michigan State: “The Perfect Coach” for them sez, “thanks — but NO thanks.”
  • And that’s just part of a HOST of humiliating problems at Bob’s alma mater. Boy, does HE take it personally!
  • But wait, there’s more! On-court nightmares continue for MSU basketball with a loss at Michigan.
  • Is it the greatest rivalry in all of sports? Duke and North Carolina stage a show for the ages.
  • Andre Drummond out of the proverbial frying pan and INTO the fire of the Cadaverliers. What are the Pistons DOING?
  • The scandal that won’t go away: Denny with HIS thoughts on Hank Aaron’s thoughts on the Astros’ sign-stealing.
  • If we didn’t know better, we’d say that Eli actually sounds EXCITED about the XFL!
  • Are we BEGINNING to see some excitement about the Wings’ future? And how about that Bernier?!
  • If you can STAND it, Eli has another installment of “My Trip to the Bob Page Shrine.”
  • Denny was mentioned where last week? On WHAT show? Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 29: The Boys’ Career Highs and Lows

You’re not supposed to say who we are, you’re supposed to say who we used to be!

Welcome to No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain and Bob Page!

  • The NBA Playoffs — or the draft lottery? Eli and Denny go at it over which is better for the Pathetic Pistons.
  • Miguel Cabrera is off to a terrible start. He’s 36 as of today. Has he lost it for good — or only until summertime?
  • And are Miggy’s off-field shenanigans hurting his game?
  • YOU, the listeners, have questions: The mystery of the 1968 Tigers’ jerseys? The high and low points of the boys’ careers? Why the lack of swearing on the podcast?
  • The new Lions schedule is out! Whoopty-damn-do. Bob goes off on his favorite whipping boys.
  • And Eli and Denny — restaurateurs?! Bob was in New York back then, thus avoiding ptomaine.
  • These stories and much more right here!