Gordie Howe

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 157: Kenny Holland Looks Back and AHEAD!

Ken Holland

I live in the business.

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

  • How the HELL does a guy who oversaw THREE Cup champs become so controversial? We’ll ask guest KEN HOLLAND!
  • We don’t know what they WILL be yet, but the Washington “Redskins” are no more. Overreaction or about time?
  • Now if only they had a league to play in! One NFL player rep warns, “We do NOT have a deal.”
  • The Big 13 + Rutgers won’t play ANY non-conference football games this season. Bob explains why he doesn’t like it.
  • College basketball? The intra-Michigan WAR is ON between Tom Izzo and Juwan Howard — and it’s fun to see!
  • WHAT did you say, Eli? S.I. has a transgender swimsuit model?! Three old men try to wrap their heads around THAT!
  • WHAT did you say, Eli? The degenerates actually bet on — HUH?! And WHERE?!
  • Former No Filter guest John Smoltz talks big, then bets on HIMSELF. How did it work out for him?
  • Bob eulogizes one of his boyhood Tigers heroes while Denny tells tales of another great Tiger from Alabama.
  • Those stories, this day in NO FILTER SPORTS PODCAST history(?!) in YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 148: How on EARTH Did Polo Do It?!

Dennis Polonich playing hockey for Detroit Red Wings

He had a huge heart.

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

  • Was he, pound for pound, the best fighter in NHL history? Ex-Red Wings fan fave DENNIS POLONICH joins the boys!
  • Eli fesses up: as a New Yawk guy, he LIKES hockey but just didn’t grow up with it. He likes most hockey players even more. 
  • The Tigers take slugger Spencer Torkelson #1 overall in the MLB draft. Bob cautions about getting TOO geeked.
  • Commissioner Rob Manfred: baseball WILL be back in 2020. Where he got THAT info, who knows? But Denny agrees.
  • NBA players are beginning to balk about resuming their season in Orlando with no family, no friends allowed to visit.
  • NASCAR has made the decision to ban Confederate flags at race events. But how will they enforce it?!
  • Allen Iverson just turned 45 this week and you can always count on Eli for some GREAT stories about A.I.
  • The PGA Tour is BACK! No fans, of course — and already some of golf’s biggest names are complaining about that.
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly Mailbag and much more 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 109: Chris Spielman: A Football Life

Chris Spielman playing in Lions uniform

In A Violent Game, Spielman Stood Out as One of the Fiercest

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

  • With The Super Bowl almost here, ex-Ohio State and Lions star Chris Spielman is our guest on the show!
  • BOB, at least, remains in shock following the death of Kobe Bryant. Eli and Denny? Slightly different story.
  • A longtime private pilot, Denny takes us through what may have happened with the doomed helicopter.
  • Did you know Kobe was almost a Piston? We explain — while Eli says the current Pistons need to start tanking NOW!
  • MSU basketball stock? UP, despite a tough loss at Indiana. Michigan’s? DOWN. Eli’s pessimistic. Bob is  NOT.
  • Castellanos signs a big free-agent deal with Cincy. And YOU thought the Tigers smart enough to bring Nick back?!
  • Yes, the SB is indeed finally upon us. Excited? Or have you had WAY too much football at this point?
  • HUH? ANOTHER SB was played this past weekend? We explain why it was kinda like the blind leading the blind!
  • Zion Williamson getting unusual medical treatment from the Pelicans. Eli has those details.
  • Simona WHO? Is she one of those “big girls” who DO cry? Meanwhile, Tiger is back. What does it mean for golf?
  • And 2019 MIGHT not have been the worst year for Detroit sports after all. THAT’S in YOUR mailbag plus more right here.

 

Episode 108: The Great MARK Howe: His OWN man

Mark Howe in uniform

He Was One Of The Great Defensemen

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

  • Overshadowed by his famous dad? Not much! MARK Howe, an NHL Hall of Famer in his own right, is our guest!
  • Derek Jeter’s now in the BASEBALL Hall. How could ONE guy NOT vote for him?! Bob says he has an idea.
  • We speak of two Detroiters who had a big hand in Jeter’s career and we look ahead to the class of 2021.
  • Who’s gonna go in then? Denny sez to expect the unthinkable!
  • Computerized umpiring in MLB? It’s going to be here a LOT faster than Denny thinks, whether HE likes it or not.
  • And while Al Avila is signing has-beens and never-wases, bookies are making dire predictions about his pathetic team.
  • The “student-athletes” have a busy night in Lawrence, Kansas — no doubt on their way to study hall.
  • So why don’t universities just put a stop to corrupt big-time sports? Ask ELI, who’s excited about HIS alma mater’s team! 
  • The “other” Eli retires from football. A Hall of Famer? For SURE! Whether he BELONGS is a different matter.
  • And it looks like it’s official: the Dead Wings are now mailing it in. 
  • Those stories, Denny talks of late Tigers owner John Fetzer in YOUR mailbag segment 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 86: Bobby Hull: It Was the Biggest Disappointment of My Life

Bobby Hull in Blackhawks uniform

Something happened that those of us who saw it will never, ever forget.

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

  • The Golden Jet himself, Bobby Hull, joins the boys to discuss his amazing life in hockey, rivalries with Howe and other all-time greats and much MORE!
  • If it’s Monday it must be time for “Bob Page’s Lions Lament!” Bob sez, “Ya know, the FL’s coulda won that game at Oakland and they SHOULDA … and they WOULDA …!”
  • Now that woeful Maryland’s been disposed of, the FUN starts for Michigan: Michigan State and Ohio State are in clear view up the road.
  • NO fun for MSU these days, though. What ELSE can go wrong, you ask? Spartan fans already KNOW the answer.
  • So, from now on it’s all about Michigan State BASKETBALL as the top-ranked team in America readies for #2 Kentucky!
  • Does Tom Izzo’s 5-8 son Steven (1.5 points per game in high school) really deserve a spot on the Spartans’ roster? Eli and Denny say “NO!”.
  • Stephen Strasburg decides to opt out of his contract with a World Championship team — to make even HUGER bucks.
  • “What does a guy have to do to get fired around here?!” Will Red Wings’ coach Jeff Blashill soon learn the painful answer?
  • The Pistons are holding their own — thanks to the great play of Andre Drummond. But what happens when he LEAVES after this season?
  • Those stories, RIP Al Bianchi, we feature YOU on our weekly mailbag and look ahead at our next show with Tiger great Alan Trammell — right here!

Episode 83: Wow, 608 Career NHL Goals? Our Guest is Dino Ciccarelli!

Dino Ciccarelli's Jersey

“You want to score in the NHL” 

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

  • And now for our main event: Dino Ciccarelli vs Scotty Bowman! But that’s just ONE issue we’ll discuss with the ex-Wings star and HOFer.
  • The Nats are off to a 2-0 World Series lead and going home with — Anibal Sanchez on the mound?! All of Michigan thought he was DONE!
  • Is Jim Harbaugh heading back to the NFL? That COULD be based on what happens Saturday night against Notre Dame.
  • Meanwhile, MSU hosts Penn State with, as usual, bigger news made OFF the field: Malik McDowell pleads guilty to multiple charges.
  • It’s Denny’s FLs vs Bob’s New York Giants Sunday! Who ya got? Does it even matter at this point? Bob says YES! 
  • Andre Drummond and the Pistons looked sharp in their season opener. Will he leave in this, his walk year? Uh, wouldn’t YOU?
  • Eli says the NBA/China debacle will carry on a long time. But who was right and who was wrong in the brouhaha?  
  • The Wings started hot but have fallen FAST! Can Jeff Blashill bring them back — or is the team doomed as long as he’s the coach? 
  • Who knew Detroit sportscaster Al Ackerman best? The boys argue as they dish stories of Al AND of Howard Cosell.
  • In YOUR Mailbag Segment, Denny responds to one of you by saying in essence, “That’s a LIE!” Those stories and much more right here!