Fox Sports Detroit

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 133: As Ernie Said: TWO for the Price of ONE!

Horizontal split screen with Arnie Kander on top, NHL player Craig Wolanin on bottom

All the leagues are trying to figure out how to get going again.

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

  • The Boys bring you TWO guests starting with longtime Pistons medical man Arnie Kander on COVID-19 and the NBA.
  • Then it’s Detroit’s own Craig Wolanin on coronavirus in the NHL AND his long career playing with/against some of the best ever!
  • Eli and Denny remain in self-quarantine. Others have had enough! Out and about now, demanding, “Why can’t we play GOLF?!” 
  • College sports may be changing forever. Bob explains and tells of a bizarre suggestion by one of basketball’s top coaches.
  • Catch Episode 1 of ESPN’s “The Last Dance?” One thing the boys DO agree on: TEN episodes on the life of Michael Jordan?!
  • Everybody - but US - is filling space on TV/radio and the net with “best of” lists (yawn). We make this exception, though:
  • •DENNY is on CBS Sports’ list of the four greatest Tigers pitchers who ever lived! What if they’d had WHIP when HE pitched?
  • The Astros took their beating in the sign stealing scandal. Now the Sawx are front and center facing the same charges.
  • The state of the Red Wings? Awful - but maybe NOT as awful as you’d think based upon a big survey of Wings fans.
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag 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 130: AL KALINE 1934-2020

Young Al Kaline in uniform

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

‘They’ve got their blankies, their pacifiers and they’re quivering under their beds in fear! NO! Not from COVID-19!

  • Fox Sports Detroit and owner Sinclair Broadcasting are afraid of the BOYS and what they MIGHT ask Dan Petry!
  • No Peaches? No prob. Who better to talk about the death of Al Kaline than great buddy and teammate Denny McLain?
  • Been watching those MLB rebroadcasts of the ’68 Series? WE have too. Denny relives some of it with us.
  • Oh, and the Tigers’ legendary pitching opponent in that long-ago Fall Classic has some good news.
  • So the MLB is secretly planning a May start-up? REALLY? Bob wants to know WHICH “May” that is: 2022?
  • The battle rages on about Noah Syndergaard’s Tommy John. NECESSARY surgery or not? Denny SEEMS to change his tune.
  • So Melo thinks he would have won MULTIPLE NBA titles if the Pistons had drafted him?! Eli’s got some thoughts on THAT. 
  • A big makeover continues for Michigan basketball. Wuzzup with all THIS, Juwan?
  • The newest sports P.C. contro won’t go away. African-Americans ‘n Mississippuh? ALWAYS combustible.
  • No Mailbag last week? OUTRAGEOUS! It was NOT the fault of Eli, on his best behavior for a LONG one today
  • Those stories and much more right here.

Episode 126: Will the REAL Scotty Please Stand Up?!

Ken Dryden and Scotty Bowman

We have so many questions.

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

  • One of the GREAT goalies ever, Ken Dryden, joins us to discuss his new book on Scotty Bowman and more!
  • It’s Opening Day in MLB — NOT! No baseball, no toilet paper and Bob says no cereal either!
  • IF we have baseball again, could it go into late DECEMBER? Would they REALLY play 7-inning doubleheaders?
  • As usual, it’s Bob vs Eli & Denny on Coronavirus as millions of Americans now face economic DISASTER!
  • Mets star pitcher Noah Syndergaard needs Tommy John surgery. But NOW? Is this “essential” surgery?
  • Quick, what do Dick Egan and Rod Allen have in common? Denny: Dick WHO?
  • Thank goodness for all the Brady/Belichick news to keep us entertained! Tom joins an ex-FLs star.
  • And now another legendary Patriot is ALSO out, proving again that Bill Belichick doesn’t care WHO you are!
  • A listener is claiming WHAT about Eli? That story’s among those in YOUR weekly mailbag.
  • And it’s all coming up 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 123: Our Ron LeFlore Interview? All You THOUGHT It’d Be!

Black and white stylized photo of Ron LeFlore

I’ll believe it when I hear it…

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

  • Whaddya know? He DID finally make it on the show! And YOU won’t wanna miss the boys’ chat with RON LeFLORE!.
  • Life without sports is BORING! Or is it? Eli, Denny and Bob haven’t missed it much — so far.
  • As the Coronavirus pandemic (PANIC!) reaches new lows we highlight news from the sports world:
  • The NFL’s CBA has been approved  — but do we really need even MORE football?!
  • Another day, another Tom Brady story. The latest claims Bill Belichick MAY be cutting off his nose to spite his face.
  • Rick Pitino is the new head coach WHERE?! IONA?! Bob explains what that is and WHY Pitino probably did this. 
  • Ex-Tiger Ruppert Jones and many others want to know what we’ll be talking about with no sports going on.
  • Well, Rupe, when the going gets tough, the tough …! Eli and Denny have the, uh, latest from women’s soccer and gymnastics.
  • As always, we hear from our listeners in YOUR mailbag segment. 
  • Oh, and what else was it that we wanted to mention? Hmmm … oh, yeah! Happy 70th birthday to Eli Zaret!
  • 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 59: If Ya Never Saw Him Play FOOTBALL, Ya Missed Something Special!

Black and white photo of Kirk Gibson in MSU uniform

He Would Have Been A Superstar In The NFL.

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

  • Nick and Shane stage a get-outta-jail break at the eleventh hour! 
  • MLB’s biggest trade was the Astros’ acquisition of ace Zack Greinke. Does this mean the WS is already over?
  • The “snaps” of Trevor Bauer AND ex-Tiger Rick Porcello: what was the biggest one Denny ever experienced?
  • The great “Killer Bee,” Nick Buoniconti, has died at 78. GUESS the main cause!
  • As MSU football struggles, the Walmart Wolverines and Spurious Spartans are back at it again.
  • Who was the greatest wide receiver NEVER to play in the NFL? Eli and Bob tell us about him.
  • A quality 7-1 pitcher?! Denny relates his sad story.
  • And a recent Esports tourney paid out $3 million to the winner! The boys (read: old men) ask what the hell “Esports” means.
  • Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 58: When a Team Quits, Who’s Responsible?

If they’re quitting, it’s the managers’ fault.

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

  • An NFL Strike?! TV Networks blacking out games now?! What a potential relief for fans of the FL’s – and the Terrible Tigers!
  • With training camps now open, the boys riff on Zeke vs. Jerry, a longer season and new Lion Mike Daniels’ amazing statement!
  • After somehow losing four straight to the Miserable Mariners, have the Tigers officially quit? Has Miggy? And is much of it Gardy’s fault?
  • Part of it is surely Al Avila’s – but is he a RACIST too? That’s the allegation in a pathetic lawsuit just filed.
  • Denny talks pitching – and talks about Trevor Bauer’s shameless “snap.”
  • Eli talks about golf – uh, his OWN game. Bob on one pro sports owner who REALLY gets it.
  • Those stories and much more right here!