Tag: Bill Freehan | No Filter Sports

Episode 212: Our Guest? One of Detroit’s Greatest Sportswriters!

January 28, 2021 01:31:03

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

The Baseball Hall of Fame has elected NOBODY this year. SHOULD they have?
TOM GAGE, in the writers wing of the Hall himself, is a long-time voter and, boy, does he have a LOT to say to us!
Bob wonders if you were thinking what he was last Sunday: did Belichick actually WANT Brady to win?
How much “justice” can you afford? Brady’s former boss can afford a LOT, as it’s turned out!
Producer Brandon McAfee has an interesting suggestion for the Lions in their quest to deal Matt Stafford.
Remember that guy, Tom Izzo? Seems like AGES since he and his MSU basketball team have played.
Yet the NBA is having even more COVID issues than Michigan State did AND that Michigan basketball now has.
Don’t be a smart-aleck! The Pathetic Pistons are NOT gonna halt their season. Who would ASK to play for THEM?
Denny: “If there’s a lotta fish on the table somebody’s gonna start eating ’em.” HUH?! He, um, DOES explain.
What’s this — Al Avila with a smart free-agent signing? The boys all agree on something — for once.
Those stories, answers to questions you may now have about this show in YOUR mailbag and more — right here!

Episode 211: Denny and The Hammer

January 25, 2021 01:21:12

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

Super Bowl LV is set: Tom Brady VERSUS — “the greatest quarterback ever?” At least according to Denny!
Matthew Stafford is OUT as Lions quarterback. Good for MATT! But what now? Is SHEILA really gonna make the call?!
Who better to comment on the death of the great HANK AARON than a former Braves teammate named DENNY McLAIN?
But Denny reveals a shocker from that era when asked if he and Hank ever had a few pops together out on the town.
Are the Wings dead — already?! They sure played dead in Chicago over the weekend.
Sunday’s loss saw the debut of ex-coach Mike Babcock in-studio on NBC Sports. Bob rips NBC’s Empty Suits a new one!
Sure was great to see the storied Wings-Black Hawks rivalry renew. Wait’ll ya hear THIS story about Stu vs. Probie!
U-M basketball WAS rolling but now has to sit down for TWO WEEKS — a victim of its OWN administration.
C.Y.A. (“Cover Your Ass”) may be a military term, but it sure looks like Jim Harbaugh is buying into it.
The Tigers’ Al Avila keeps buying into his own, as Bob puts it, “Bum of the Month Club.”
Mercy, mercy, ME — still another black eye for a once-proud athletic department which USED to be just “The U-D!”
In YOUR mailbag segment, a listener turns the tables on Denny: “So, did YOU ‘ever think about coaching?'”
Those stories, Brandon on The Big Fight, Mr. McLain back on the appearance circuit — and much more right here!

Episode 210: Never Fear — Our GAMES are Still Here!

January 21, 2021 01:17:51

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

We all agree: the world SUCKS right now, but at least we still have sports — AND its knuckleheads — to entertain us.
What team gets a home game in the Super Bowl? None EVER! Tom Brady hopes to change that in the NFC title game.
And another ex-Michigan star quarterback could also make headlines in Sunday’s AFC title tilt.
Are you betting the games? You can now do that LEGALLY in Michigan starting Friday.
The Lions unveil their LATEST five-year rebuilding program, so optimistic they gave their LATEST coach a SIX-year deal!
Why do younger Lions fans also seem so optimistic about their sad-sack team? Brandon McAfee RANTS on that!
SWEATING and SLOBBERING all over each other? The NBA’s okay with that — but handshakes? No WAY.
Bob’s sweating out Friday, hoping COVID doesn’t cancel Michigan at Purdue. Like all of us, he needs something to do!
Why are the Pistons so pathetic? ONE game tells part of the story: a guy they have and two guys they should have had.
Is Tigers G.M. Al Avila signing all these bums just to irritate Denny? If so, he’s doing a great job of it!
Is the Baseball Hall of Fame ready to put Clemens and/or Bonds in next week? Should they? Hear our spirited debate.
All those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more coming up right here!

Episode 209: One TRUE BLUE Ohioan!

January 18, 2021 01:34:36

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

U-M star, Olympic gold medalist, first-round NBA draft choice — the long basketball life of guest PHIL HUBBARD!
What a quarterback dual: Brady vs Brees! But as often happens with great pitching match-ups — a DUD.
The boys recap the weekend’s NFL playoffs, look ahead to this Sunday’s title games AND to the Super Bowl.
The WHAT Bowl? A foreign concept, of course, to the Lions — now embarking on their LATEST rebuilding program.
Should they have hired Robert Saleh instead? Or Urban Meyer? Bet that if a mistake can be made, the FL’s will make it.
A great goaltender? At times. A great Detroit Red Wing? Always! And now HOWIE hangs ’em up.
Bob warned it might happen. Denny pooh-poohed him, but Michigan did indeed go down at Minnesota.
Now will COVID allow U-M to play Maryland or MSU to play Illinois? Bob asks, no, BEGS, the Big 14 for just one thing.
Denny rips his former team — again — for stubbornly sitting out free agency without a splash.
And he rips baseball’s Hall of Fame for continuing to snub one of his greatest friends and Tiger teammates.
Those stories, a top Detroit sportscaster skewered in YOUR mailbag segment and more — right here!

Episode 205: Bear Bryant’s Last Captain: Steve Mott

January 3, 2021 01:33:22

Welcome to No Filter Sports Podcast with Bob Page, Denny McLain — and that’s IT!

A new era for the show begins after Eli’s self-imposed “retirement.” WE hope he comes back to us.
Meantime, ex-Lions center STEVE MOTT, one of the great players in Alabama history, joins us on THE Big Game and more.
FREE BEER? This is what Lions fans are left with after ANOTHER disastrous year?! The FL’s are even messing THIS up!
Is Matthew Stafford coming back? Who’s the new GM? The LATEST head coach? So MANY questions.
And who speaks for YOU? A famous voice from Texas, through remarks intended for a different team.
They’re partying in Columbus and the Bama game hasn’t even been played. WHY? Jim Harbaugh’s staying at Michigan!
No Eli? Producer Brandon McFee may be just as opinionated! He and Bob tangle over a big issue in college football.
After destroying the fleabag Duke’s Mayo Bowl, somewhere Mr. Z is smiling. The game came to a fitting — and hysterical — climax!
How good is U-M basketball! How good is U-M freshman Hunter Dickinson?! Bob says enjoy him while you can.
Dave DeBusschere must be rolling over after a WUSSY move by his once-proud alma mater.
Dumped by a phony girlfriend — then rejected by the Pistons too! But guess who’s getting the last laugh?
Those stories, Denny remembers MLB’s seven HOFers we lost in 2020, YOUR mailbag and much more — right here!

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 178: Welcome, Lary! THIS is How We Roll!

September 25, 2020 01:26:20

Good luck?!

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

Ex-MLB and U-M pitcher Lary Sorensen will have a role in many of our future shows. Did HE get an earful today as the boys fuss and FEUD!
First — a fiery exchange over new Lions’ boss Sheila Ford Hamp. As usual, it’s Eli and Denny vs. Bob with “let’s give her a chance!” vs. “what a joke!”
Then later, a REALLY “fiery exchange” between Denny and Bob over baseball!
Denny also continues to insist the FL’s will NOT fire Matt Patricia this year. Eli: hold the phone on that one with an 0-4 start looming.
The legendary Gale Sayers passed away this week at 77. Was he the first great BLACK halfback ever?
Sayers was arguably THE greatest running back PERIOD. So, who was MLB’s greatest starting pitcher? Bob says only that nobody’s ever been BETTER than de Grom.
With the Tigers’ season essentially over for some time, what to do about Miggy SUDDENLY looking like MIGGY again?
A listener wonders where on EARTH Denny got his “scoop” that the Tigers would name Lance Parrish to replace Gardy?
Get ready for a whopping 16 teams in the MLB playoffs — permanently — or even more! Ya like that idea?
Since Denny has ZERO interest in hockey, that must mean none of YOU cares about hockey — right? Bob still pays tribute to two famous Michigan hockey products.
Eli has “This Day in Sports History” then wages another battle with Bob over YOUR Mailbag. WHEW! What a DAY! Those stories and more right here. Be ready!

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!