Van Patrick

Episode 144: From the Ol’ Farm — to Scoring a Super Bowl TD!

Tom Nowatzke on trading card

The only Lion of that era to win a Super Bowl!

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

  • Our guest is the bruising fullback, TOM NOWATZKE, on his 1960’s Lions, Colts teammate Johnny U and MUCH MORE!
  • While pro sports leagues FIGHT during negotiations on when and how to start playing again, Eli and Bob repeat: go away til 2021.
  • No sports? No games to gamble on, no casinos to gamble IN! One way or another the city of Detroit may pay an awful price.
  • No football? Not only does Dolphins owner Stephen Ross say we WILL have an NFL season but he has unusual plans for his stadium.
  • Bob asks why Jim Harbaugh seemed so thrilled to recruit only a good, not great, player this week. Is it THAT bad in Ann Arbor now?
  • VERY different opinions among  the boys over golf and last Sunday’s “The Match.” If you watched it, you were NOT alone.
  • The Michigan House has passed a bill allowing college athletes to make extra money on the side — and Eli’s apoplectic!
  • From Denny: the legendary overseas boxing match he actually went to! And does his ex-catcher Jim Price really HATE him?!
  • The latter question comes from YOUR mailbag segment. We’ll have that and many other top stories right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

George Blaha

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 82: Razor Sharp at 79! Mike Lucci pulls NO punches!

A very savvy, sage, and one of the most amazing Lions of all time.

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

  • REALLY, what the HELL has been wrong with the FL’s?! Ex-Lions star Mike Lucci vents about that, NFL officiating & MUCH more!
  • Now, the same question — as it pertains to Michigan. Its “finest hour?!” Has Harbaugh gone NUTS? Will he be back next year?
  • MSU’s Captain Kirk and his Vikings embarrass the FL’s at Ford Field. Was it “easy” for the Vikes? One player predicted it would be!
  • The Amazing Altuve is off to the World Series as the Astros host Washington Tuesday. Bob tells the story of how he GOT to Houston.
  • Eli reports that MLB is negotiating a proposal to eliminate 40 minor league teams. Mr. McLain is not happy.
  • The NBA’s new season kicks off with what’s NOW a dud! We explain while previewing the league AND the Pistons for you.
  • Meanwhile, the Wings have come crashing down with four straight losses. The less famous Hughes brother hopes it’s FIVE.
  • And did you hear yet? Bob Page is a “RACIST!”
  • Those stories, our weekly comments from YOU on our mailbag segment and more right here

Episode 81: ’84 Tigers Hero to — Stand-Up? DON’T Miss this Interview with Ruppert Jones!

Ruppert Jones baseball card

“I don’t want to get out of my lane.”

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

  • A hero of the ’84 World Series champs, Ruppert joins us to discuss that magical year, why he didn’t come back, his personal struggles and more.
  • Oh, so you say the FL’s were “robbed” by the officials at Green Bay? Eli’s pissed too, Denny disagrees and, as usual, “The Bob Page Lions’ Lament” sez … 
  • It’s the NEW “biggest game of Jim Harbaugh’s coaching career” Saturday night at Penn State. Is it really make-or-break time for him? 
  • We only know one thing about the MLB Playoffs: the Nats are going to the World Series. And who called that one? He’s NOT too modest to say!
  • “Fired up?” Denny ‘s APOPLECTIC! He’s almost frothing at the mouth about juiced (or DE-juiced) baseballs — as Eli sadistically presses his buttons.
  • Basketball’s Jim Calhoun has done something so reprehensible Bob’s shocked that he’s not in jail already!
  • Are you getting your money’s worth at an NBA game? A new study implies NOT and Eli confirms — while Denny just DOESN’T get it.
    LeBron’s controversy is the latest story to remind us that politics and sports, like it or not, are inextricably bound.
  • Those stories, Eli walked out of the arena and missed WHAT? Reggie Jackson ALMOST redeems himself with Denny plus much more!
  • And don’t forget: Mike Lucci, named to the All-Time Lions team, will join us on Monday’s show.
 

Episode 80: Ty Cobb to Denny and HIS generation: You Guys Suck!

These Kids Don’t Know How To Play The Game

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

  • Oh, the homers, the strikeouts, etc. in the MLB playoffs! Denny: It’s a different game. Bob: And blah, blah, blah.
  • And the baseballs themselves! “Wouldn’t It be NIce?” if everyone would just stop bitchin’ cuz “It’s Kind of a Drag.”
  • Denny finally goes to school on a future Hall of Famer — just one of the MANY baseball topics we’ve got for you.
  • Matt Stafford is on the cusp of breaking MORE records as the FL’s go to play — Bob’s favorite team? 
  • No matter any one result, Eli’s also had enough of the FL’s and harkens back to the glorious 50’s — all we have left!
  • The new “biggest game of Harbaugh’s Michigan career” looms at Happy Valley this Saturday.
  • While Michigan State MAY be playing — WHEN they play -the FINAL games of Mark Dantonio’s career.
  • Bo and his presidency of the Tigers: the boys have plenty of stories on that — none that would make Bo proud!  
  • Eli’s been TRYING to tell us so: a younger Steve Yzerman really WAS a big pain in the, uh — butt!
  • Those stories — the Wings desperate already?- and much more coming up right here.

Episode 75: Tigers Great Lance Parrish Has a Whole LOT on His Mind!

Lance Parrish in Detroit Tigers uniform

45 years, on and off, he has been with the Tigers.

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

  • Ex-Tigers star Lance Parrish speaks out on his STILL-bitter exit from Detroit, the ’84 Tigers, his relationship with Jack and SO much more!
  • This, on the heels of our Wayne Fontes interview which is already “smashing box office records” thanks to YOU!
  • The FL’s’ game is — WHAT? One of the three biggest games of the week in the NFL?!
  • President Carter had his black-sheep brother Billy. Looks like Shea Patterson’s got one too as Michigan faces off with lowly Rutgers.
  • Is Indiana trying to play mind games with Michigan State’s vaunted defense for homecoming in East Lansing?
  • The Toothless Tigers so richly deserve the #1 overall pick in next year’s draft! Now will they blow it? And should they pick for need or best available?
  • Tom Izzo: “Haters gonna hate.” And Bob hates the fact that some numbskulls are picking on Tom’s son! Eli and Denny? They’re undecided.
  • Those stories, the “bullying of Bryce,” our weekly mailbag and much more coming up right here.

Episode 69: Like GREAT Stories? Eli, Denny and Bob Have Lots of ’em!

There aren’t rules…there are just guidelines!

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

  • Our guest is ex-Lions great Lem Barney who claims football won’t exist any more in 15 years!
  • Meanwhile, the new NFL season is underway. Could the FL’s really go 0-11 out of the gate?! Bob explains.
  • More shenanigans from Airhead Brown as the boys rip him another new one.
  • We tell you about one of the greatest players in NFL history who’s NOT in the HOF.
  • And preview this Saturday’s Michigan and Michigan State games.
  • Eli and Denny have their gambling picks of the weekend — so YOU can bet against them and clean up!
  • JV not a Hall of Famer? Some young “Figure Filberts” lean on sabermetrics to say no!
  • Tales of the great Van Patrick, of Denny’s bad day at the dog races, advice on — mustaches(?) and much more right here. 

Episode 46: “Fools Rush In” to Check Out One of Sports’ Worst Lowlifes!

Those are the idiots who just want to be next to or near anybody famous.

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

  • Gary WHATland?! Over Eli’s screams of protestation, Denny and Bob wonder where the hell Gary’s been all these years?
  • “Little League stuff!” When the Tigers’ own coaches start using that term around their team …!
  • Reliever Joe Jimenez is “tired of messing around?!” Nick turns down Gardy’s offer! What a JOKE this franchise has become.
  • And now Casey Mize has an inflammation of the shoulder? You won’t believe Dr. Denny’s recommended “treatment” for him!
  • The Lakers make a big splash by acquiring Anthony Davis — but is that just because they seem like fools?
  • Double-murderer OJ Simpson is now on Twitter and, speaking of “fools,” 650,000 of them immediately follow him!
  • Michigan in the College World Series, the U.S. women’s soccer team, Tommy Hearns, boxing stories and much more right here! 

Episode 44: A World Gone Mad With Gun Violence!

It’s Out Of Control.

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

  • David Ortiz shot in the D.R.! Shocking? Bob sez it could happen to any of US at any time. 
  • The Stanley Cup Finals go to Game 7. With the Bees at home it’s in the bag, right? Just ask St. Louis fans!
  • Meanwhile, Game 5 of the NBA Finals is Monday night. Toronto’s a shoo-in, right? (See above)
  • Here’s a good question as the Great Disaster of 2019 continues: “How do you fix the Detroit Tigers?”
  • Johnny Football with ANOTHER comeback. The boys wonder, can really blame him for his failures?
  • O.J. Simpson trying to make a comeback in the public eye but just spews more garbage.
  • The U.S. Open starts Thursday with the players, as always, bitching. Denny and Eli bitch about THEM.
  • Plus, the amazing Rafa — and much more right here