George Kell

Episode 160: 50 YEARS in Detroit Sportscasting!

Ron Cameron

The one! The only! The magic one!

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

  • LOOK! Up in the sky! It’s a BIRD! It’s a PLANE! NO, it’s SUPERFAN Ron Cameron! A TRUE Detroit original.
  • Eli’s not with us, off on a well-deserved family vacation, so it’s just Denny and Bob stirring up all the —- today!
  • MLB is back. Kinda. And the guys are NOT happy about the Tigers’ apparently throwing in the towel already!
  • Are YOU looking forward to watching a bastardized short season in empty stadiums or arenas?
  • Bob’s solution to allowing fans in at games remains logical. He’s CRESTFALLEN sports execs aren’t listening to him.
  • If fans WERE allowed to attend live games, would many stay away anyway over political and social protests?
  • The team without a town! Should the Toronto Blue Jays come knocking at YOUR door, would you let ’em in?
  • Denny says WHAT? “They’re gonna be pretty good this year!” And he’s talking about — WHOM?!
  • College football remains a mess due to COVID (what doesn’t?) but MSU may have just set a bad precedent.
  • Fans of The Mailbag finally have their ardent demand met: a much LONGER segment with no Eli around!
  • And is an NBA ROOKIE trying to run his new team’s front office?! These stories and much more right here.

Episode 147: He’s Multitalented and Multifaceted! He’s John Smoltz!

John Smoltz

Maybe I would have been the next Lawrence Welk. Who knows?

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

  • Ah, what might have been for JOHN SMOLTZ and the Tigers! The MLB Hall of Famer from Lansing is our guest!
  • Smoltzie just wants to be doing TV baseball again, but politics and demonstrations have taken over the sports world instead.
  • Will the NFL now let its players stage protests during the national anthem?! Bob wonders where THAT might lead.
  • For all you Caucasians, are YOU now “embarrassed to be a white person?” Don’t laugh! An NBA coaching star says HE is!
  • During a demonstration, what would happen if you caught a punk destroying your car? Well, YOU might be arrested!
  • Producer Brandon McAfee and the boys take a vote: would they watch a big game with no fans to cheer?
  • Ultimate Fighting Champ Conor McGregor retires — again. Eli and Denny yawn: “he’ll be back.”
  • Golf IS back and now you can even use a special cart with a partner (GASP!) — if you’re really THAT worried about COVID-19.
  • Wimbledon? Canceled! The U.S. Open? Probably not, but would it be worth watching without “The Big Three?”
  • Those stories, a listener wants to ask Denny’s questions FOR him on YOUR mailbag segment and much more — right here!

Episode 145: The Remarkable Life of Trixie!

Dick Tracewski in a Tigers uniform

He wore the Tigers uniform fo 28 years…more than anyone in team history.

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

  • The man who wore a Tigers uni longer than any? DICK TRACEWSKI — also Koufax’s roommate in L.A. — is our guest!
  • What NOW for MLB? Well, the post-season’s probably gonna be FRIGID! IF they DO play.
  • Minor League Baseball in a HEAP of trouble but one Florida club has a unique way of making money now anyway!
  • The NBA and NHL resuming? Eli asks how many even care about sports anymore, especially with all the trouble in the U.S.  
  • COVID-19 talk is everywhere and one of the NHL’s top young star’s career may be in jeopardy due to the pandemic.
  • No caddies allowed on the LPGA? MLS at war over when and if it can start playing soccer again? Yet the coast MAY be nearly clear.
  • For instance, Korean MLB could serve as a model for baseball to return. It’s had no outbreaks since resuming play.
  • LOOK! Denny is now ready for 1967 to begin — JUST in time for 2020 as he asks Eli for advice about (GASP!) marijuana!  
  • Detroiter Brad Keselowski has won his second straight NASCAR race. Denny recalls interviewing him when Brad was THREE!
  • How do you go through $44 million and wind up broke? Ask baseball’s Esteban Loaiza AND Mike Tyson among others!
  • Watching the Lance Armstrong doc on ESPN these days? Bob: He’s a lying SOB. NO! Eli to Bob: Aren’t you being a hypocrite?
  • A silly fan’s suggestion in YOUR Mailbag to (GULP!) get rid of BOB and hire — SERIOUSLY?!  Those stories and 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 135: “Local Boy Makes GOOD?” Makes BIG STAR!

Gus Johnson

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.

Episode 134: The Controversial Life of an NBA SUPERSTAR!

Vintage photo of Rick Barry

The first star player to defy the reserve clause and jump to the ABA.

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

  • “The baddest white boy EVER on a basketball court?!” That might just be RICK BARRY, our guest on the show today!
  • The NFL draft starts/started Thursday. WE have to wait til Monday to comment. The NFL has to wait til ??? to actually PLAY.
  • Do brains matter in sports? Some of the top college prospects score, uh, “stupidly” low on their Wonderlic tests.
  • Gronk is back, joining Brady with the Bucs! Hopefully HE won’t be booted from any Tampa-area parks — as Tom was.
  • U-M’s president says it’s headed for BIG financial trouble over COVID-19? Just wait til the sex-abuse suits are decided!
  • It’s Eli vs Denny for high school football star Rocco Spindler. Will he pick Eli’s alma mater or Denny’s beloved Fighting Irish?
  • The latest on the NHL resuming: Bob says “Pipsqueak Bettman” is now just throwing stuff on the wall to see if anything sticks.
  • (GASP!) Did Denny just physically threaten Bob in YOUR mailbag segment?! 
  • Wearing a Coronavirus mask these days? If so, we’ll tell you how to look sharp in it!
  • Those stories, news of other big-name guests coming up on the show 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 118: Haters Hate Mike Eruzione Now? WHY?

You can’t believe the calls I’ve had.

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

  • Team captain MIKE ERUZIONE joins us on the 40th anniversary of “The Miracle on Ice,” on the new MAGA controversy and more! 
  • Trevor Bauer tells HBO “Real Sports” WHAT? MLB pitchers are using PINE TAR on balls? Make Denny and Bob LAUGH!
  • Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson has a bad case of the “Tim Tebow Blues.” The boys scoff at THAT too.
  • The Astros are feeling the heat for their sign-stealing scandal — literally. Pitchers ARE hitting them now, but on purpose?
  • And what Tigers legend was responsible for a different sign-stealing scandal 60 years ago?
  • Eli tells us the comical story of Deontay Wilder and the REAL reason he just lost that big fight (yeah, RIGHT!).
  • The Spartans stage an impressive second-half comeback to beat Iowa as Izzo is chastened by one of his players.
  • A nice gesture by Juwan in hiring one U-M staffer who may be the best Michigan HS player you’ve likely never heard of.
  • Mercy, mercy me! Detroit-Mercy losing ON the court AND off now. But does anybody really care about the Titans anymore?
  • Stevie Y FINALLY lets us all in on The Plan. To celebrate, Denny heads to a HOCKEY GAME(?) with sponsor Luke Nowacki.
  • Eli salutes a great champion in retiring Maria Sharapova, PED scandal and all.
  • Free agency in big-time college sports is coming soon. Bob explains what a wild story THIS is gonna be!
  • And in the Mailbag segment, you DON’T “Knock the Rock. It’s all right here.

Episode 95: DIRECT from Hamtramck AND MLB — It’s “WIMPY!”

Tom Paciorek (Hawk and Wimpy)

You never lose a nickname! 

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

  • FUNNY guy, GREAT personality! Tom Paciorek shoulda been a media star after his MLB career! Wait. He WAS! And he’s our GUEST!
  • A special thanks from Denny to YOU and to so many others for the condolences pouring in over Sharon’s passing.
  • Sweet Lou failed again with HOF Vets Committee voters. An injustice? Did his personality cost him? 
  • Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller DID get in but Bob attacks Miller for MLB’s money INSANITY. Eli and Denny attack Bob BACK!
  • And those two big bullies ALSO air it out with poor Bob on Ken Harrelson, who MAY be about to go in!
  • The boys are NOT getting along! Eli gets BIG pushback from Bob: won’t he PLEASE stop talking so much about the FL’s?!
  • And Mr. Z recaps, uh, some kind of heavyweight title fight this weekend. Quick now! Name ANY current champ you can!
  • It’s U-M (gulp!) vs Alabama in ONE bowl game and MSU (gulp!) vs Wake Forest and its hi-powered offense in another.
  • Eli takes us on a (comical) tour of some of the VERY BIG bowl games on the slate for lucky US.
  • PLUS, a WOMAN head coach in the NBA(?!), M and MSU basketball, YOUR comments in the mailbag and more right here!