Central Michigan Chippewas

Episode 194: Scared of Butkus? Not a Young GREG LANDRY!

Greg Landry holding a football

But you always wanted to know where he was…

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Bob Page, Fred Heumann AND Lary Sorensen!

  • Okay, so maybe they weren’t “glory days,” but the Detroit Lions of our guest, GREG LANDRY, were at least FUN!
  • NOW, Eli says the COVID crisis has taken the “fun” element OUT of sports. Bob, Fred and Lary disagree.
  • Still, what a world we’re in! MSU’s football game a COVID cancelation. MSU basketball expecting cancellations. 
  • Sports TV ratings are way down and surveys indicate most of you will not go to live events til there’s a COVID vaccine.
  • All those kids! What WERE the Pistons thinking about in the NBA draft, which was at least high on MUSICAL talent.
  • With another embarrassing loss for U-M a possibility Saturday, would the Jets try to hire Jim Harbaugh anyway?
  • Easy come, easy go. One airhead MLB player loses a guaranteed $24 million for taking steroids!
  • “This Day in Sports” finds one of our fans bravely staying at his battle station during “Malice at the Palace!”
  • Those stories, Lary ripped by Howard Cosell on national TV, YOUR Mailbag and much more — right here!

Episode 190: Jim Miller and All Things FOOTBALL!

Jim Miller in Michigan State football uniform

We want to hear all about it.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Bob Page, Denny McLain and Fred Huemann filling in for Eli Zaret!

  • What a football journey JIM MILLER has been on! The ex-MSU and NFL quarterback cum star radio commentator joins us.
  • Fred’s Central Michigan alma mater leads the MAC pack BACK on national TV. Season ON! Finally.
  • Game OFF. Wisconsin-Purdue a COVID cancelation. Will the Badgers be healthy enough in time for Michigan?
  • Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence ALSO a “COVID cancelation” — and at the worst possible time for fans.
  • Bob wonders if Saturday’s tilt at Indiana is a must-win for Jim Harbaugh and his future in Ann Arbor.
  • Rocky Lombardi goes home to Iowa for a tough game against the Hawkeyes as Michigan State mysteries continue.
  • Hard to choose just ONE “Crummy Game of the Week” in the NFL but the Lions at Minnesota is in the mix!
  • Whatever happened to the glory days of Detroit’s hard-hitting sports media? LONG gone now, to be sure.
  • “Never complain, never explain” was the mantra of Henry Ford II and NOW of a famous ex-college football coach too.
  • Those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more all coming up right here!

 

Episode 168: Tom Izzo: Coach of the PISTONS?!

Frank Izzo

I think he regrets not taking that job.

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

  • Eli’s on vacation so veteran sportscaster FRED HEUMANN joins us with some big opinions and stories!
  • Casey Mize makes his LONG-awaited MLB debut! MOST of us thought he did well. NOT Denny!
  • Al Avila says on a Friday that Mize and the other kids are NOT ready. By MONDAY they ARE?! Bob thinks he knows why.
  • Thom Brennaman commits the ultimate TV/radio sin: not so much WHAT he said, it’s the cardinal rule he FORGOT!
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a grand slam on a 3-0 count with his team up by SEVEN in the 8th inning — and the feces hits the fan!
  • The NFL is now considering a postseason “bubble” which has worked for the NBA and NHL.
  • Most of COLLEGE football is not going to play at all. Players, parents and one prominent medical expert are VERY unhappy.
  • A potentially GREAT Michigan O-lineman has already seen enough. HE’S heading to the pros!
  • One of the legal world’s greatest truisms: how much “justice” can you afford? In Robert Kraft’s case, a LOT!
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports” — just for Denny McLain, YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 142: BROOKIE’S Got a LOT to Say!

Tom Brookens

One of the great guys in baseball.

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

  • Small-town boy goes to Chicago — and steps right into Disco Demolition Night! Welcome to MLB, guest TOM BROOKENS! 
  • Eli jumps all over ESPN for televising Korean baseball and — huh? A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT?!
  • “Now tell me to what room I go to get my reputation back!” The lawsuit against MSU’s Mark Dantonio & others DISMISSED!
  • There’s news out this week on college football recruiting. Michigan fans won’t like it either.  
  • Mike Trout’s rookie card just sold for $900,000! Denny says baseball cards are BACK — they MUST be!   
  • Eli and Denny tell stories of Mantle and Pepitone and why it’s JOE’S pic hanging in The Denny Den, NOT Mickey’s.
  • IF the NFL plays this season, one equipment manufacturer thinks it has a great idea for player safety.
  • Meanwhile, an NFL player is suing over sexual assault. What could a WOMAN have DONE to the macho man?
  • Sad news for we of the Baby Boom Generation? Eli: YES! Bob: NO! EDDIE HASKELL was a two-faced jerk!
  • •Those stories, Eli and Denny KILL the weekend Tiger/Phil foursome, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 99: Ray Scott: I Could NEVER Coach in Today’s NBA!

Ray Scott in Piston's uniform

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

  • The NBA a “BUSH LEAGUE?!” It sure WAS and a man who lived the era, ex-Piston Ray Scott, joins us to talk about it all.
  • Yep, the FL’s lost again, but now FL’s ADDICTS are EXCITED about a high draft pick! Bob sez they’ll just blow it anyway.
  • What is the best football broadcast team YOU’VE ever heard? We’ll tell you about OUR pick.
  • Would Urban Meyer really coach the Cowboys? Simple question/answer? NO, as Eli and Denny gang up on Bob AGAIN! 
  • Denny and Bob even duke it out on baseball’s new computer umpiring. Mr. McLain seems to be singing a new tune.
  • The Tigers have a couple new free-agent signees but the question persists: does Al Avila have a CLUE what he’s doing?
  • Super-agent Scott Boras is now guaranteed a cool $50 million for this past MONTH! His CLIENTS signed for a BILLION!
  • Trouble for Minor League Baseball? There’ll be trouble for ALL if MLB puts more than 40 MiLB teams out of business!
  • If you’re a basketball fan you likely watch the NBA — but millions AREN’T. Would an in-season tourney aid TV ratings?
  • Those stories, the Dead Wings with their “Coach for Life,” YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 97: Will Jeff Bezos Buy the Lions?!

Jeff Bezos

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

  • Will Jeff Bezos buy the Lions?! https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/rumor-jeff-bezos-has-visited-detroit-twice-to-talk-about-buying-lions/Bob tells why that might NOT happen.
  • He’s the proud owner of a USFL championship ring AND played in TWO Super Bowls: Ray Bentley is with us today!
  • Ray’s Michigan Panthers lead into old USFL stories and the VERY famous owner not ALLOWED to buy an NFL team.
  • Other NFL stories? Is the “R word” now a firing offense? And what’s wrong with “white women?!”
  • One NFL NON-story? The FL’s lose their seventh straight. But why count — other than the days til Matt’s gone?
  • Oregon conquers Ann Arbor and Bob didn’t like what he saw in Saturday’s game, particularly from Juwan. 
  • Is ONE reason MSU has been so disappointing the personal tragedy of its star player?
  • The Army-Navy game under fire for a televised “white supremacy” sign from two cadets. Or WAS it that?
  • LSU QB Joe Burrow has won the Heisman, a trophy Eli disdains. He’ll tell you why.
  • He also RAVAGES what USED to be Sports Illustrated. Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 94: The Red Baron Himself Reminisces!

Red Berenson in Red Wings uniform

Life is good!

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

  • A somber note to start this show: Denny is not with us due to the death of his beloved wife Sharon.
  • Eli recounts in moving detail their long-time — and up-and-down — love story.
  • But the great Red Berenson IS with us on so MANY historic hockey moments he was part of, the Wings, U-M and MORE!
  • U-M and MSU basketball BOTH utterly HUMILIATED Tuesday night! But Bob says the two losses were VERY different.
  • Does Michigan football really want to (GULP) play ALABAMA in a bowl game?! Ohio State redux?
  • Could another new twist on MSU’s Larry Nassar disaster leave MSU declaring BANKRUPTCY?! 
  • He said, HE said? Bob’s interaction with powerful MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson has created some waves!
  • NFL coaches are on the hot seat — but not Matt Patricia? Eli has lowlights of the early years of many FL’s coaches.
  • Babs SMEARED for mistreatment of ex-players like Johan Franzen, but wouldn’t the Wings STILL be better off with him NOW?
  • PLUS, whither the Pistons? Rudy T once WOWED Eli but ATTACKED Bob(!), YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 91: The Life of an NFL kicker? Jason Hanson Tells All!

It starts with the snap.

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

  • Kickers are ALWAYS the best — interviews! You’ll hear that for yourself as ex-Lions’ star Jason Hanson joins the boys.
  • The FL’s play the Crummy Game of the Week vs. the PUTRID Redskins featuring TWO bungling owners, a man and WOMAN each.
  • LA and Baltimore have a key MNF matchup but a former Raven ain’t gonna help his new team! Eli and Denny are surprised.
  • College football: Bob repeats his prediction for the Michigan-Michigan State game: Michigan will ALSO “kill” Indiana!
  • And are you ready for The Big One? It’s MSU at mighty Rutgers! As usual, Mark Dantonio himself overshadows all.
  • DEATH threats to college players! Do a few nut-jobs take these games, played by mere kids, too seriously? DUH.
  • The winningest coach in Wings’ history, Mike Babcock, FIRED in Toronto! A case of history repeating itself?
  • The Pistons’ Don Casey embattled as well! Is HE to blame for the team’s pathetic lack of effort?
  • Kalamazoo’s own Derek Jeter and 18 others debut on the Hall of Fame ballot. Is it finally Sweet Lou’s time?
  • On YOUR Mailbag segment: “Dammit, take a chill pill, Eli!” Those stories and much more right here