Tag: Ralph Houk | No Filter Sports

Episode 183: What a Magical Time it Was!

October 12, 2020 01:30:36

You never wanted to miss a game!

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

The Bird chirping for the Tigers and BRUCE KIMM behind the plate. Mark Fidrych’s personal catcher joins us!
Kaline, Brock, Seaver, Gibson — and now two MORE baseball immortals are gone: Whitey Ford and Joe Morgan.
LeBron says a championship is a championship — is still a championship. The boys say, “Not so fast!”
Bob cites abysmal TV ratings for the NBA Finals and wonders if the league will ever be the same.
Are you ready for some football — on TUESDAY nights too? Get used to it as COVID-19 postpones more games.
Ya say if the Lions lose to a miserable Jaguars team Sunday you wanna fire Matt Patricia? Who’s taking his place?
Stevie Y with another flurry of signings and the future looks bright! So Wings fans CLAIM, but will the honeymoon last?
And Eli’s apoplectic over the LATEST cavalry charge by the mindless P.C. Posse.
“I traded a WHITE CAPTAIN for you!” highlights “This Day in Sports,” plus YOUR mailbag and much more — right here.
Eli has ‘”This Day in Sports,” Bob has YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 180: What’s WRONG with U-M Football? BUTCH Has an Idea!

October 1, 2020 01:32:37

They need to go with a more athletic quarterback.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Bob Page — and Lary Sorensen sitting in for Denny!

Ya better be TOUGH to play for Bo AND Parcells! BUTCH WOOLFOLK was — and DID! The ex-Michigan star running back is our guest.
The MLB Playoffs had more games Wednesday than the entire post-season of many past years! And WHAT time did that Yankees game end?
Modern technology is changing baseball even further. Lary tells us about pitchLogic and Bob has more on the umpires versus the computers.
Is the pandemic slowly starting to wane? MLB announces that there WILL be fans at some upcoming games.
“I can not BELIEVE that jerk dropped the ball!!!” Yep, it sure is easy watching games from the couch. Lary calls us all OUT on that.
Was Denny RIGHT on our last show? Could The NBA Finals indeed be a four-game sweep for the Lakers over Miami.
Eli has some strong words for the possible upcoming McGregor/Pacquiao fight.
And so the stage is set for still another Detroit Lions collapse — just when some fans (who don’t know any better!) are getting excited.
Mr. Z also has “This Day in Sports,” Bob has YOUR mailbag segment and we’ve got much MORE right here!

Episode 177: “Matt Patricia Looks Done Already”

September 21, 2020 01:14:46

Fans don’t even know what to say anymore.

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

Bob Page had some technical difficulties this morning, so he’s taking the day off.
The Detroit Lions have dropped their 11th straight game.
Eli rolls through every Lions coach since the 1970’s. How many more losses until Matt Patricia is FINALLY fired? Peter King says is look DONE.
The NFL ratings are way down and despite the reasons we laid out last week, Eli believes that the games have lost legitimacy.
Some MAJOR injuries in Week 2 include Saquon Barkley, Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Drew Lock and others.
Fred Heumann joins us mid-show to rip the Lions a little bit more.
The guys show some
Ron Gardenhire has stepped down as manager of the Tigers. Who will be the next coach? The boys argue that the team won’t go anywhere until Miguel Cabrera is gone.
Justin Verlander may be finished as he is to undergo Tommy John surgery. Denny sees some light at the end of the tunnel.
ANOTHER sports guy is in trouble for criticizing ESPN’s Maria Taylor. This time, because she left Anthony Davis off the 1st, 2nd and 3rd All-NBA Teams.
Bryson DeChambeau destroyed the competition at the U.S. Open. We debate his unconventional play.
Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” the mailbag gets praise… on the mailbag, and much more right here!

Episode 166: DICKIE V is BACK, Baybee: a TRUE “PTP-ah!”

August 13, 2020 01:23:48

Big fella, give us some hope!

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

DICK VITALE joins the boys again for A LOTTA laughs and memories. The REASON he’s back couldn’t be more serious.
As expected, The Big Ten (14!) has canceled its upcoming football season. Perhaps UNexpected? HUGE pushback!
U-M football star, NFL Pro Bowler, Hollywood actor! Now the amazing life of Dwight Hicks takes a different turn.
The Tigers are in playoff contention, or at least WERE before a spate of injuries. Is it time NOW to call up the kids?
Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer has a strange match-up in the White Sox’ lineup. Think Denny versus Bill Freehan!
Astros hitting coach Alex Cintrón suspended twenty games(!) for his role in a big brawl. What did he say that was so BAD?
A SIX-HOUR NHL playoff game with a goalie making HOW MANY saves?! Tampa eventually beat Columbus.
But the NY Rangers had a much bigger win: the Alexis Lafrenière sweepstakes. OUTRAGE in hockey circles follows!
Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag — and we’ve got much more right here!

Episode 165: Tigers Fan Fave Steve Kemp: What MIGHT Have Been.

August 10, 2020 01:32:02

I was confident, but I wasn’t arrogant.

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

Just ONE hit away from Cooperstown? Maybe. One ACCIDENTAL “hit” in the EYE! STEVE KEMP joins the boys.
The Tigers were rolling after a sweep of the Pirates — despite the struggling Matt Boyd. Denny breaks down his problems.
Did MLB even consider this: can a team still go the playoffs if COVID-19 cancels a BIG part of its short season?
By the time you hear this show, college football may be canceled — at least until next spring
And programs will be so cash-strapped they’re now begging season ticket holders to donate anyway.
Another week, another big-time recruit escapes from right under Jim Harbaugh’s nose.
NOW Jimmy’s also upset his top rival who vows ugly REVENGE whenever Michigan and Ohio State do play!
Collin Morikawa wins the PGA Championship at 23 and the golf world has its LATEST “New Tiger!” But Bob has a reminder.
Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR Mailbag and — dig THIS: Denny invites ALL OF YOU over to his house!
Those stories and much more coming up right here!

Episode 155: Dead Milkmen? Tinfoil WHAT? Ask Scott Lusader!

July 6, 2020 01:25:33

He was a different cat, that’s for sure.

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

What a pair Jim Walewander and SCOTT LUSADER made as young Detroit Tigers! Scott joins us with HIS Baseball Journey.
Bryson DeChambeau bullied the Detroit Golf Club AND his fellow pros over the weekend. Will he change golf itself?
The Indians and Redskins are considering changing their names with the P.C. mob all over them. The boys take it on.
Now Florida’s “Gator Bait” cheer has been banned as “racist!” Seriously.
Yes, Black Lives DO Matter! But to whom? And now Bob’s predictions about white racists pushing back is coming true.
Are sports REALLY going to resume with so many MLB, NBA and NHL players dropping out over COVID fears?
“YAY! I’m the biggest, most disgusting SLOB in the entire world!” Did ya catch my act on ESPN?
Eli caught something else on the all-sports network: a concert by the Eagles! THIS is what sports programming’s come to?!
Mr. Z has This Day in Sports, Bob reports what YOU have to say in the mailbag segment and much more!
Oh, and be SURE to tune in next show too - tell all yer pals! - when MSU basketball coach TOM IZZO will be with us.

Episode 150: The TWO Comebacks of Ratso!

June 18, 2020 01:28:36

You’re going to do what’s called upon you.

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

Average pitcher. Heart attack at age 27! Then lights-out reliever — ex-Tigers star JOHN HILLER’s got GREAT stories!
Eli says Colin Kaepernick has gone from kryptonite to Man of the Year! NFL owners only wanna know if he can still PLAY.
With no fans allowed, the PGA Colonial had its best TV ratings in 16 years. But were folks THAT interested — or just BORED?
We run down some of the NBA’s RIDICULOUS COVID-19 rules for resuming its season in a bubble.
And if THAT’s not comedy enough for you, Kyrie Irving wants to start his own competing PLAYER-owned league.
MLB players/owners continue to make a mockery of what Denny claims IS “our national pastime.” He gets big pushback on THAT!
And now the two GREEDY sides may at some point institute soccer-like advertising on uniforms?!
The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown will finally be run Saturday. Denny has a hot tip! Bob: CAVEAT EMPTOR!
Meanwhile, the insanity continues in society. Statues are coming down or vandalized from BOTH political sides.
Long-time MLB hurler Lary Sorensen writes us in YOUR Mailbag about ONE HOFer he used to EAT UP. (Hint: believe it or not, it was our most recent guest!).
Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 145: The Remarkable Life of Trixie!

June 1, 2020 01:39:54

He wore the Tigers uniform fo 28 years…more than anyone in team history.

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

The man who wore a Tigers uni longer than any? DICK TRACEWSKI — also Koufax’s roommate in L.A. — is our guest!
What NOW for MLB? Well, the post-season’s probably gonna be FRIGID! IF they DO play.
Minor League Baseball in a HEAP of trouble but one Florida club has a unique way of making money now anyway!
The NBA and NHL resuming? Eli asks how many even care about sports anymore, especially with all the trouble in the U.S.
COVID-19 talk is everywhere and one of the NHL’s top young star’s career may be in jeopardy due to the pandemic.
No caddies allowed on the LPGA? MLS at war over when and if it can start playing soccer again? Yet the coast MAY be nearly clear.
For instance, Korean MLB could serve as a model for baseball to return. It’s had no outbreaks since resuming play.
LOOK! Denny is now ready for 1967 to begin — JUST in time for 2020 as he asks Eli for advice about (GASP!) marijuana!
Detroiter Brad Keselowski has won his second straight NASCAR race. Denny recalls interviewing him when Brad was THREE!
How do you go through $44 million and wind up broke? Ask baseball’s Esteban Loaiza AND Mike Tyson among others!
Watching the Lance Armstrong doc on ESPN these days? Bob: He’s a lying SOB. NO! Eli to Bob: Aren’t you being a hypocrite?
A silly fan’s suggestion in YOUR Mailbag to (GULP!) get rid of BOB and hire — SERIOUSLY?! Those stories and more right here!

Black and white stylized photo of Ron LeFlore

Episode 123: Our Ron LeFlore Interview? All You THOUGHT It’d Be!

March 16, 2020 1:29:16

I’ll believe it when I hear it…

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

Whaddya know? He DID finally make it on the show! And YOU won’t wanna miss the boys’ chat with RON LeFLORE!.
Life without sports is BORING! Or is it? Eli, Denny and Bob haven’t missed it much — so far.
As the Coronavirus pandemic (PANIC!) reaches new lows we highlight news from the sports world:
The NFL’s CBA has been approved — but do we really need even MORE football?!
Another day, another Tom Brady story. The latest claims Bill Belichick MAY be cutting off his nose to spite his face.
Rick Pitino is the new head coach WHERE?! IONA?! Bob explains what that is and WHY Pitino probably did this.
Ex-Tiger Ruppert Jones and many others want to know what we’ll be talking about with no sports going on.
Well, Rupe, when the going gets tough, the tough …! Eli and Denny have the, uh, latest from women’s soccer and gymnastics.
As always, we hear from our listeners in YOUR mailbag segment.
Oh, and what else was it that we wanted to mention? Hmmm … oh, yeah! Happy 70th birthday to Eli Zaret!
Those stories and much more right here.

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

February 13, 2020 1:25:29

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.