Willie Mays

Episode 172: Shep: LIVIN’ THE DREAM!

Matt Shepard

It’s a blast…every single day.

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

  • So how do you get to be an MLB play-by-play announcer? Guest MATT SHEPARD had a VERY unusual path to the Tigers!
  • The sports world mourns the death of one of the greatest pitchers ever. The boys reminisce on Tom Terrific.
  • The Tigers’ win streak ended at six. With five games against the Twins now on tap, is this the season’s telling point?
  • Looks like Eli’s suddenly started to watch the NBA playoffs. He did NOT like what he saw from one game in particular.
  • Bob on the NHL Playoffs: Is the great Zdeno Chara finally finished at 43 — or just finished in Boston?
  • Get ready, gamblers! Denny has his pick on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby for you — NOT! 
  • Legal sports gambling rages on. Denny updates us on what the Cubs are doing — and WHAT’S that about MJ?!
  • Big Ten(14!) football after all? President Trump will want to take credit IF that occurs — but would he deserve to?
  • MSU’s Kirk Cousins raked over the coals by the media for his ideas about COVID-19! Denny and Eli to the rescue.
  • How much would YOU pay for a presence at FL’s games? “ZERO?” Producer Brandon McAfee sez $100 but he does have limits.
  • Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 164: The Amazing Baseball Odyssey of Jim Essian

Jim Essian wearing A's hat

Crisscrossing America for 17 years!

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

  • Just say “no” — to BO?! To ARA? To DUFFY?! How one of Detroit’s greatest all-around athletes, JIM ESSIAN, did it! 
  • The PGA Championship is underway! With NO fans —  AND with Eli asking a good question about two top stars.
  • While MLB is a mess, the NHL and NBA “bubbles” seem to be working. But hockey and basketball in AUGUST?  
  • And Bob sez, “C’mon, how much does ‘Black Lives Matter’ REALLY mean in the NHL?”
  • Imagine! College football players to coaches: “Here’s a list of demands or we’re not playin’!” THIS is happening NOW.
  • Why this CRAZY Big Ten schedule!? M v OSU in OCTOBER? Producers Brandon McAfee and Marc Fellhauer think THEY know. 
  • Kelly Stafford is furious at the NFL for Matt’s false-positive COVID test. Have OTHER testing mistakes been made?
  • Is our P.C. society SO nuts that a coach can’t even QUOTE someone dropping an “N-Bomb?” Black players USE it!
  • We MUST support local journalism in our free country. But Bob wonders how much we’re willing to PAY to do so.
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports,” a tribute to Denny in YOUR Mailbag — and much more right here!

Episode 162: Former Pistons Star Makes REAL Good!

John Mengelt in Pistons uniform

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 145: The Remarkable Life of Trixie!

Dick Tracewski in a Tigers uniform

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!

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 124: LOVE Him? HATE Him? It’s ALL in the Game!

Bob Parker wiping forehead with his hand

Rob! Don’t Do that!

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

  • He ain’t shy! He IS opinionated, controversial, outspoken AND funny! He’s media star ROB PARKER, our guest today.
  • For once, Bob just listens! After all, with SO many FL’s moves we need to hear from guys who (strangely) still follow the team.
  • Denny’s upset. He can’t BELIEVE what’s gone on with Brady and WHERE Tom’s headed now.
  • Denny’s happy. His beloved Bears are moving on from Mitch Trubisky, just part an an amazing QB shuffle in the NFL.
  • Eli’s upset — with a few of Rick Pitino’s comments after signing on to coach Iona (whatever THAT is).
  • Hey, we gotta fill the show up SOMEHOW with no sports! Eli and Denny hope you won’t mind if they repeat a couple (great) stories.
  • RIP ex-Michigan boxing star Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle, at just 58. 18 YEARS as a pro fighter?! You can guess the rest.
  • What if the 1968 Hong Kong Flu had shut down sports as the Coronavirus has? NO 31 for Denny, NO Tigers World Series!
  • Eli has checked some of our show reviews online and the results are quite flattering (to ELI) and humorous.  
  • But poor Bob! Boo-hoo, some fans are picking on him! One in particular in YOUR mailbag too. BOB “picks” right back!
  • Those stories 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 120: A CANDID Tim McCormick Opens Up!

Black and white image of Tim McCormick in U of M basketball uniform

My real passion is broadcasting

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

  • Fed up with his LATEST sideline temper tantrum, MSU grad Bob rips Izzo a new one! Eli and Denny rip Bob right back.
  • Does every big college basketball team cheat? Eli and Denny actually believe that. Bob calls “B— s—!”
  • U-M’s OWN sex abuse scandal is growing larger — but c’mon, man! Can you actually compare it to MSU’s?
  • One of MLB’s top pitchers MIGHT be done at 30. Denny can relate — and says Chris Sale has nobody but himself to blame.
  • Are big league baseballs still messed up? Will Jacoby Jones EVER gain the stardom many predicted for him?
  • The Pistons coulda had Caris LeVert! Eli takes us through MANY bad decisions from the Pathetic Pistons’ recent past. 
  • Legal sports gambling IS coming to Michigan — but as early as NEXT WEEK? One reporter claims it’s true.
  • Knicks Nut Spike Lee is feuding with Madison Square Garden boss, James Dolan. Bob knows something about THIS!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here!

 

Episode 117: Have WE Got a Thrill for YOU Baseball Fans!

Rocky Colavito

One of the great 20th century Rockys

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

  • He was one of the most feared — and famous — sluggers of his era, so “Don’t Knock the Rock!” Rocky Colavito joins us!
  • Is Bob actually catching  (GULP!) Tigers Fever? Not if Denny can help it!
  • Eli has a surprise for Denny when he asks how many homers Miggy (Piggy?) Cabrera has hit the last three years.
  • A 42-year-old Zamboni driver in the nets for an NHL team?! Eli compares it to a legend of his NY boyhood, Joe Schaefer.
  • Patrick Reed may be a cheater but he didn’t cheat to win the PGA Tour’s Mexico stop. Fans let him have it anyway!
  • Did MLB know all about the Astros cheating two YEARS ago yet refuse to do anything? 
  • Eli reaches into his pockets with his legendary alligator arms and MISSES a BIG moment in his beloved boxing!
  • College basketball’s Great Pretenders come up empty: San Diego State and Gonzaga lose to subpar teams.
  • Nice WINS for Michigan and Michigan State of late but MSU has a serious test Tuesday night.
  • Denny is angry at WHOM — for doing WHAT?! And Bob laughs, “America’s Best Pizza?” Is this a JOKE?
  • Those stories, we hear from YOU in the mailbag segment  and much more right here

 

Episode 105: FOOTBALL? Where Do We START Today?!

Lamar Jackson playing football

Let’s not start there…

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

  • Not embarrassed ENOUGH yet, Spartan Nation? Bob unloads on his alma mater after a Detroit News expose on MSU football.
  • He, uh, is none too happy with MSU basketball’s humiliating display at Purdue either.
  • The boys recap a WILD Sunday in the NFL playoffs and get into a near screaming match about Saturday night’s game!
  • ESPN wants to steal Tony Romo, Eli and Russell Wilson, a Dearborn PIONEER, a former “student-athlete” speaks — or TRIES to!
  • SO many football stories and, oh, btw, there ALSO is the matter of a little football game being played Monday night.
  • Sir Charles himself to the rescue of John Beilein, though nobody could quite rescue John’s ex-team on Sunday.
  • The P.C. Posse riding herd over sports too. When do nicknames, logos and mascots NEED to be changed? And when NOT?
  • What was it like to actually go to a game at the legendary shrines of The Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field? ELI knows firsthand!
  • And what was it like to know a man who broke into MLB in 1909 — with the Brooklyn SUPERBAS?! DENNY has that answer!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.