Derek Jeter

Episode 195: T Mills: A Life in Basketball

Terry Mills playing for Detroit Pistons

What a business!

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

  • “A MICHIGAN MAN will coach a Michigan team!” Yet ONE Michigan team was NOT happy to hear that as we learn from our guest, former U-M star TERRY MILLS.
  • Neither Denny nor Lary’s been with us since MLB got its first woman general manager. Denny claims there was another woman “G.M.” before her!
  • A “snoozer” for the Lions in their latest humiliation? Bob took that term literally and now has sage advice for SOME FL’s fans who still could use it.
  • Lions-Texans? Cowboys-Washington? Thanksgiving has TWO turkeys before a great match-up Thursday night. Will the Steelers run the table this year?
  • An exciting, dramatic game! A triple-overtime WIN on the road! So, is it fair that so many Michigan football fans STILL seem so unhappy?
  • U-M grad Lary says all those injuries were no excuse for nearly losing to bleeping RUTGERS. Bob: Rutgers’ doormat days are DONE.
  • COVID cancellations still wreaking havoc across college football but is that what really caused Clemson’s game to be called off at the last moment?
  • For most people, the disastrous year 2020 should have been called off.  Yet even with these new vaccines, will 2021 be much different?
  • And what a wild week it was in the NBA with a plethora of trades. Are the Pistons really any better after their huge roster makeover?
  • We’ve got those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more — right here!

Episode 187: WOW! What a World Series!

Photo from 2020 World Serie

All five games have been great!

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Bob Page, Denny McLain — and Lary Sorensen sitting in for Eli!

  • If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it …? No matter the ratings, MLB is on FIRE!
  • Has there EVER, in HISTORY, been a better, more entertaining baseball game than Saturday night’s?!
  • Yet Denny and Lary, BOTH ex-big leaguers, decry pitching’s new maxims — and its lack of fundamentals.
  • Is MLB’s rules committee planning to take action against one of the game’s other big changes?
  • “Ya know, the Lions coulda won that game at Atlanta, and they SHOULDA won that …” OMG! WAIT! They DID win!
  • Michigan State did NOT win Saturday, a fact not lost on MSU alumnus Bob who unleashes an EPIC RANT!
  • Bob’s even a little concerned about Michigan after its victory at Minnesota, though NO worries for M THIS week.
  • Don’t athletes have the same right to privacy we ALL should? Lary comments on a brouhaha with the New York Giants.
  • Tigers fans didn’t know his name, but sure knew his face. Bill Fundaro — AND an MSU great in our necrology.
  • Those stories, the sad tale of Peter Norman in YOUR Mailbag and much more right here.

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

Lary Sorensen

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 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 155: Dead Milkmen? Tinfoil WHAT? Ask Scott Lusader!

Scott Lusader at bat

He was a different cat, that’s for sure.

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

  • What a pair Jim Walewander and SCOTT LUSADER made as young Detroit Tigers! Scott joins us with HIS Baseball Journey.
  • Bryson DeChambeau bullied the Detroit Golf Club AND his fellow pros over the weekend. Will he change golf itself?
  • The Indians and Redskins are considering changing their names with the P.C. mob all over them. The boys take it on.
  • Now Florida’s “Gator Bait” cheer has been banned as “racist!” Seriously.
  • Yes, Black Lives DO Matter! But to whom? And now Bob’s predictions about white racists pushing back is coming true.
  • Are sports REALLY going to resume with so many MLB, NBA and NHL players dropping out over COVID fears?
  • “YAY! I’m the biggest, most disgusting SLOB in the entire world!” Did ya catch my act on ESPN?
  • Eli caught something else on the all-sports network: a concert by the Eagles! THIS is what sports programming’s come to?!
  • Mr. Z has This Day in Sports, Bob reports what YOU have to say in the mailbag segment and much more!
  • Oh, and be SURE to tune in next show too - tell all yer pals! - when MSU basketball coach TOM IZZO will be with us.

Episode 154: GREAT boxer. Greater GENTLEMAN!

Boxer Hilmer Kenty

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!

Todd Jones

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 136: Dave Bing, THIS is YOUR Life!

Dave Bing

Let’s refresh some people’s memories.

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

  • DAVE BING could have been INFAMOUS in Detroit sports instead of one of its most BELOVED figures. The Mayor joins us today!
  • So ya wanted Denny’s big MLB “scoop” he promised recently but never delivered? We’ve got it NOW — from another source!
  • MORE lawsuits involving alleged sex abuse at Michigan State, this time a big one against the NCAA itself.
  • It’s official: college sports’ “student-athletes” are now finally allowed to make money on outside endeavors!
  • Looks like Shea Patterson WON’T be making any money in the NFL. Details of his stunning fall from grace.
  • Quick now, Denny: if’n NASCAR come back, which good ol’ boy gonna win the CO-Cola 600? Denny: UH, who’s IN it?
  • Further ugliness from the Bulls-Pistons rivalry being displayed on ESPN. WHAT is Isaiah NOW claiming?!
  • A listener takes exception to Eli’s comments about Ernie Harwell. Eli defends himself — and Bob riffs on “the meaning of Ernie.”
  • Stevie Y signs two top young Swedish goalies. If STEVIE likes ’em, WE like ’em too. After all, can we FULLY trust Bernier?
  • Listen up, all you single gals out there! Guess who’s being BOMBARDED on a dating service now? Hint: NOT Eli. NOT Bob.
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly Mailbag segment  - soon to be SPONSORED by YOU? - and much more right here!

Episode 131: SELL! No, BUY! Whither YOUR Dough?

A person's finger touching a button on a screen

I don’t think we’ll ever have an opportunity like this again.

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

  • Stand by for our big Masters recap! NOT. It WOULD have concluded Sunday but the sports world remains on hold.
  • Are the NBA and NHL playoffs about to be played soon anyway? Is the start to the MLB season?
  • Sports-starved Eli and Denny say THEY’LL watch! Bob says he WON’T; not in empty arenas and stadiums.
  • So what are SOME watching NOW? TV shows for Eli and Denny.  H-O-R-S-E with famous basketball players on national TV?!
  • Seems like Tom Brady and his agents are looking to trademark half of Tampa! Distasteful? Greedy?
  • Drew Brees has just been recruited again — but not by Purdue. Are TV sports execs crazy? WAIT. Don’t answer that.
  • RIP Doug Sanders, Glenn Beckert, Colby Cave, Tarvaris Jackson, Tom Webster, Pat Stapleton and Stirling Moss.
  • MONEY talk — YOUR money! Sponsor Luke Nowacki offers some suggestions on what you might want to do now.
  • Meanwhile, many of you have graciously offered to donate to our show in the past. We have an announcement to make.
  • In YOUR mailbag this week: ANGER at “leftist” Eli, other media people POACHING us(?!), an Al Kaline controversy
  • And it’s all coming up for you right here!

Episode 129: Had Enough of the FL’s? Marc Spindler Has!

Marc Spindler in Detroit Lions uniform

They lack a lot of things.

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

  • What a comedian! What an entertainer! And ya say this guy MARC SPINDLER played a lotta FOOTBALL too?
  • Eli and Bob vow to stop discussing their differing positions on COVID-19. ELI quickly breaks it! Bob won’t.
  • When will sports start again? Bob THINKS he has an idea based upon a feature in the Detroit News.
  • He claims you’ll likely never see Tom Brady play for Tampa — or anybody else — ever again!
  • Tom Dempsey has died of COVID. What older Lions fan will EVER forget where he/she was for “The Field Goal?!” 
  • E-sports continue to thrive in the sports-less world and tempers are hot! NASCAR drivers “rage-quitting” over video games?
  • Seen the new HBO doc on cheating in college basketball? ELI’s all over it. Bob: BFD.
  • Here comes the P.C. Posse ridin’ in over them yonder hills! Mike Leach now in trouble for sharing an UN-P.C. meme.
  • Earth to Denny! Come in! Earth to Denny! We somehow LOSE MLB’s last 30-game winner in the middle of the show!
  • What could be worse than THAT? Well, how about a show where YOUR mailbag is unceremoniously DUMPED?!
  • We’ll explain what happened (no tears from Eli!) and have MUCH more for you right here.