Tag: Bill Freehan | No Filter Sports

Episode 173: Detroit’s own Ernie Whitt: CANADIAN Sports God!

September 7, 2020 01:32:16

I tricked them for a lot of years!

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

“I might be the best manager who was never hired.” Yet ERNIE WHITT had one helluva playing career with the Blue Jays. The Detroit native joins us!
One of the toughest opponents Denny’s Detroit Tigers ever faced has left us. Our thoughts on the passing of Lou Brock.
The Tigers lost their critical series at Minnesota, but the boys are still impressed by what they’ve seen from many of the youngsters.
College football is BACK! Well, ya know, KIND OF “back.” Is it getting too late for the Big Ten(14!) to try to play?
The NFL WILL play starting Thursday night! Bob wonders how much of a BLM demonstration there might be, on and off the field.
The Lions signed one of the most famous names in football: running back Adrian Peterson. But will it really help this sad-sack franchise?
Eli LOVES his playing but is underwhelmed by his apparent I.Q.! Dustin Johnson vying for (gulp!) $15 million at the PGA Tour Championship.
Part of a wild Labor Day sports weekend: Novak Djokovic DQs himself from the US Open? Kirk Herbstreit weeping on TV?
Those stories, Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment 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!

Jim Brandstatter broadcasting for U of M

Episode 163: MISTER MICHIGAN: Brandy himself!

August 3, 2020 01:40:52

A very timely guest!

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

What did Bo know and when did he know it? Just one of MANY topics for us with U-M football voice JIM BRANDSTATTER!
So why would Bo allegedly allow sexual abuse by his own team doctor to go on? Eli’s sources have an explosive theory!
How could Michigan lose a five-star tackle from right under their noses? The kid’s own father wants to know that too.
Seven-inning games?! Eli’s so upset with MLB’s silliness he cries, “START THE DAMN GAME IN THE THIRD INNING THEN!”
And now MLB is one-sixth through its season. Not weird enough? As of Monday the Tigers would be in the playoffs!
Long-time sportscaster Jamie Samuelsen has died at just 48, joining a host of Detroit media members already gone too soon.
Denny’s got figures on the NFL players who’ve opted out of the season. Bob asks again, “didn’t anybody PLAN for this?”
The NBA is back! NHL too! Both leagues started off with showy Black Lives Matter displays. Has BLM gone too far now?
Bob with a bold prediction for Michigan State basketball, which just went through a VERY eventful week.
Those stories, “This Day in Sports,” YOUR mailbag segment and much more coming up right here!

Episode 157: Kenny Holland Looks Back and AHEAD!

July 13, 2020 01:35:47

I live in the business.

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

How the HELL does a guy who oversaw THREE Cup champs become so controversial? We’ll ask guest KEN HOLLAND!
We don’t know what they WILL be yet, but the Washington “Redskins” are no more. Overreaction or about time?
Now if only they had a league to play in! One NFL player rep warns, “We do NOT have a deal.”
The Big 13 + Rutgers won’t play ANY non-conference football games this season. Bob explains why he doesn’t like it.
College basketball? The intra-Michigan WAR is ON between Tom Izzo and Juwan Howard — and it’s fun to see!
WHAT did you say, Eli? S.I. has a transgender swimsuit model?! Three old men try to wrap their heads around THAT!
WHAT did you say, Eli? The degenerates actually bet on — HUH?! And WHERE?!
Former No Filter guest John Smoltz talks big, then bets on HIMSELF. How did it work out for him?
Bob eulogizes one of his boyhood Tigers heroes while Denny tells tales of another great Tiger from Alabama.
Those stories, this day in NO FILTER SPORTS PODCAST history(?!) in YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 154: GREAT boxer. Greater GENTLEMAN!

July 2, 2020 01:42:48

Detroit’s first champion since Joe Louis.

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

Ex-world champ HILMER KENTY joins us to discuss his career, Emanuel Steward, the Kronk, the current state of boxing and more!
A big 50th anniversary this week for Denny AND for Bob who reminisce about the night he came back from his MLB suspension.
And just to set the record straight, Mr. Giacalone, what did you DO to poor Denny to help end his career? Oh? REALLY?!
The Tigers have done WHAT? PARTNERED with a gambling sports book?! Denny: “I was SUSPENDED for doing the same thing!”
Baseball, uh, “spring training” has resumed, but Eli says we STILL don’t know what the season sked looks like.
P.C. Madness: we now learn from The Lunatics that “Honest Abe” apparently WASN’T so “honest.” HIS statue must go too!
Tag! YER it — or maybe yer NOT! Conflicting COVID tests all over now allow one PGA tour player into this week’s Detroit stop.
Ya say it doesn’t matter? Ya say prep superstar Emoni Bates won’t ever actually PLAY for MSU? Bob explains why it DOES matter.
Our Detroit radio affiliate WDFN is gone, suddenly changed to another format. Denny and Bob: sorry to hear it. Eli: SCREW radio!
Mr. Z also has This Day in Sports and a SHOCKING statement about YOUR weekly mailbag segment. It’s all right here!

Episode 152: Ah, the Life of an MLB Reliever!

June 25, 2020 01:32:26

A closer is a really thankless job.

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

Guest TODD JONES pitched for EIGHT MLB teams, the Tigers TWICE! LOVED Detroit; doesn’t miss the pitching part.
So MLB IS coming back? Eli has a LONG list of all the changes that’ll be made. Fed-up Bob: Include ME out!
Denny says a change the TIGERS should make is to put Casey Mize & the other top kid pitchers in the rotation — right away.
The FL’s have a WHAT? A “new” owner? Roger Daltrey would say: “Meet the new boss — same as the old boss!” So would Bob.
As the boys duke it out over COVID-19 again, a “blame game” has now begun in sports: who gave it to whom?
Should you HAVE to wear a mask for protection now? According to ONE U.S. county — only if you’re WHITE!
Playing career over, he had two job offers: vacuum cleaner salesman or entry position in hockey. Ken Holland chose right!
Read all about it! P.C. Posse Pummels PAW PAW! Local legend Charlie Maxwell, MR. Sunday Home Run, has yet to comment.
Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more — right here!

Episode 149: The GREAT Rod Carew

June 15, 2020 01:35:43

No easy out.

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

Baseball Hall of Famer ROD CAREW joins the boys to talk about his amazing career, amazing new HEART & more!
So Jim Nantz began Saturday’s PGA telecast with a tribute to George Floyd? Bob asks where the Tour’s BEEN all these years!
Is Rob Manfred going to save MLB’s season by FORCING the players and owners to (finally) get started?
The NBA has a plan to come back, but Kyrie Irving says it SHOULDN’T until “Black Lives Matter” is accomplished!
No word from the NHL on its restart as one star coach asks how an NFL comeback’s possible with “social distancing.”
What if Gibby’s World Series homers had been played in EMPTY STADIUMS?! Eli on board with Bob: there MUST be fans!
ESPN’s doc on the steroid-laden 1998 home-run race premieres. Why are McGuire & Bonds welcome in MLB but not Sosa?
Mr. Z always has terrific stories about Allen Iverson who just turned 45. You won’t believe what happens when he turns 55!
What happened 55 YEARS ago? Denny: ROD CAREW broke in? Uh, NO, Denny! He finally got the answer.
Those stories, YOUR Mailbag segment 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 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.

Ron LeFlore with an X symbol over his face

Episode 121: Waiting for Godot? Waiting for Ronnie!

March 9, 2020 1:15:12

He’s SO unreliable!

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

He PROMISED he was going to come on with us, but Ron LeFlore wouldn’t pick up his phone — even for three old pals!
That doesn’t stop the boys from telling some good Ronnie tales anyway, such as the time Jim Campbell …
Each week the sex scandal at Michigan seems to grow. But what can be done now with the principals all dead?
Now the Wolverines and Spartans ready for the annual bogus, made-only-for-TV/publicity Big 13+Rutgers tournament.
The NFL votes on its new contract Thursday. Eli wages a passionate argument on behalf of its young players.
Tony Romo last week, Al Michaels and Peyton Manning getting MILLIONS this week?! CRAZY — or NOT?
•Bob gives us a Tigers spring training update from just around the corner in West Palm Beach.
(Gulp!) Will the Coronavirus shut down all of sports?! How about some FACTS to quell the mindless panic going on.
A REAL shocker here, gang: Denny McLain wants to talk about the Wings and HOCKEY?! Bob does too. As usual, Eli does NOT.
But wait! He doesn’t want to talk about his beloved Pistons either. Or Tom Izzo either. What’s up with THIS?!
Uh, he’s in Florida this week and had a tee time to get to! Those stories, YOUR mailbag and more right here.