Tag: Illinois Fighting Illini

Episode 172: Shep: LIVIN’ THE DREAM!

September 3, 2020 01:37:40

It’s a blast…every single day.

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

So how do you get to be an MLB play-by-play announcer? Guest MATT SHEPARD had a VERY unusual path to the Tigers!
The sports world mourns the death of one of the greatest pitchers ever. The boys reminisce on Tom Terrific.
The Tigers’ win streak ended at six. With five games against the Twins now on tap, is this the season’s telling point?
Looks like Eli’s suddenly started to watch the NBA playoffs. He did NOT like what he saw from one game in particular.
Bob on the NHL Playoffs: Is the great Zdeno Chara finally finished at 43 — or just finished in Boston?
Get ready, gamblers! Denny has his pick on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby for you — NOT!
Legal sports gambling rages on. Denny updates us on what the Cubs are doing — and WHAT’S that about MJ?!
Big Ten(14!) football after all? President Trump will want to take credit IF that occurs — but would he deserve to?
MSU’s Kirk Cousins raked over the coals by the media for his ideas about COVID-19! Denny and Eli to the rescue.
How much would YOU pay for a presence at FL’s games? “ZERO?” Producer Brandon McAfee sez $100 but he does have limits.
Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 113: Is There No END to Embarrassment at MSU?!

February 10, 2020 01:33:29

It’s just too messy a situation.

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

Pro Football HOFer HARRY CARSON joins the boys to discuss his career, Parcells, Belichick, his advocacy for player safety and more!
ANOTHER unmitigated DISASTER for Michigan State: “The Perfect Coach” for them sez, “thanks — but NO thanks.”
And that’s just part of a HOST of humiliating problems at Bob’s alma mater. Boy, does HE take it personally!
But wait, there’s more! On-court nightmares continue for MSU basketball with a loss at Michigan.
Is it the greatest rivalry in all of sports? Duke and North Carolina stage a show for the ages.
Andre Drummond out of the proverbial frying pan and INTO the fire of the Cadaverliers. What are the Pistons DOING?
The scandal that won’t go away: Denny with HIS thoughts on Hank Aaron’s thoughts on the Astros’ sign-stealing.
If we didn’t know better, we’d say that Eli actually sounds EXCITED about the XFL!
Are we BEGINNING to see some excitement about the Wings’ future? And how about that Bernier?!
If you can STAND it, Eli has another installment of “My Trip to the Bob Page Shrine.”
Denny was mentioned where last week? On WHAT show? Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 109: Chris Spielman: A Football Life

January 27, 2020 01:32:48

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.

Baseball covered in dollar bills with red stitching

Episode 96: Now, Now, Boys! Stop Fighting! Behave Yourselves!

December 12, 2019 01:27:19

Are you guys coming over to my side in this debate?!

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

Strasburg, Cole and Rendon sign deals worth $824,000,000!!! Eli and Denny: SO? Bob: What about the FANS?!
Great news! The Toothless Tigers are FINALLY ready to rebuild! So claims Al Avila. Do you trust him? Denny doesn’t.
Al also sez the Tigers’ venerable UNIFORMS will look different in 2020? HUH?! HOW?
What was that “award” Keith Olbermann used to give? The Worst Person in the World? Do Eli and Denny have a nominee for YOU!
Two of MSU’s biggest names clash! Resident BOWLING expert Denny says HE knows which side HE’S on.
Whatever happened to ex-Michigan coach Brady Hoke? Bob explains why they WON’T be holding any benefits for him.
Michigan basketball? Don’t say Bob didn’t warn you about that Illinois game on the ROAD, while he RIPS the U-D!
Meanwhile, John Beilein’s got major problems in Cleveland. Why on EARTH did he leave the U-M?
Megan Rapinoe awarded SI’s SportsPERSON of the year, then really pops off at the ceremony! Was she right?
Those stories, our weekly mailbag featuring YOUR thoughts and much more right here!

Keith Nichol in Michigan State Football Uniform

EPISODE 90: “Stand by Your Man?” MSU’s Keith Nichol DOES!

November 18, 2019 01:22:00

He’s done more for Michigan State football than anyone.

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

He produced arguably the greatest play in MSU history! That’s one reason why guest Keith Nichol is SO unhappy about The Game.
What a drubbing Michigan laid on Michigan State! Bob questions MSU’s second-half effort as the fallout rages on.
The FL’s choke another one away. Does Eli give too much credit to a local writer who FINALLY gets tough with them?
To make things even worse, Denny questions whether the oft-injured Matt Stafford will ever play again.
The “Colin Kaepernick Show” continued with a workout cum CIRCUS this weekend. The FL’S are down a QB … hmmm.
Former Tiger John Wockenfuss is battling dementia. He had a big role in the ’84 World Series — but wasn’t even on the team!
Ever hear of the 1983 movie “Tiger Town?” It’s back in the news and we’ll tell you why.
In YOUR mailbag segment: outrageous prices for sports events, FL’s fans vs Bob — and much more right here!

Episode 88: Jay Vincent’s “Long Strange Trip!”

November 11, 2019 1:28:23

I wanted everyone to see what I went through.

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

From national champion to the NBA — to PRISON — and back: ex-Michigan State star Jay Vincent joins the boys.
A special thanks to our servicemen and women on Veterans Day. How did Eli, Denny & Bob never serve, btw?
Former MSU and Lions wideout Charles Rogers is dead at 38! Shocked — but not really surprised? Us too.
Ya know, the FL’s coulda won that game at Chicago. In fact, they SHOULDA won it and they WOULDA won it … (yawn)
Ohio State All-American Chase Young suspended by the NCAA — excuse us, for WHAT?!
Grapes’ Wrath (ouch) has him in hot water on Hockey Night in Canada. Is the end approaching now?
Looks like the end of the Wings’ sad season may have been given a reprieve thanks to the latest Stevie Y deal.
Quick now! What major sports event was played Sunday? All three of the boys whiffed on this one!
More controversy in the Terrible Tigers’ front office. Is Al Avila at fault for THIS as well?
And were we too hard in our criticism of Clemson? THAT is in our mailbag segment plus much more right here!

Episode 87: A Stroll Down Memory Lane with Alan Trammell!

November 7, 2019 01:40:06

Father time is undefeated.

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

New HOF member Alan Trammell does a GREAT job with the boys! His life in baseball, the ’84 Tigers, Magnum P.I.: It’s all here, folks.
The latest HOF candidates and state of the HOF? A wild melee suddenly breaks out with Eli and Denny dumping on Bob — who dumps right back!
Computer umpiring in MLB was also part of that. Denny sticks to his guns — just as he surely would have about horseless carriages in 1906.
Is there ANYTHING interesting about the FL’s vs da Bears? YES! For whom will Denny root Sunday? “We” or his own hometown team?
Michigan’s off Saturday but the focus does NOT turn to Michigan State. Even Spartan fans may bail on MSU-Illinois. Alabama v LSU is at the same time!
Bob strolls over to Madison Square Garden two nights in a row and isn’t happy with what he sees: MSU goes down and the Wings ARE down — horribly.
U-M basketball? ANOTHER near nightmare in Ann Arbor against those big meanies from Appalachian State! Juwan’s got a lot to learn.
You’ll hear about Denny’s fascinating old side gig on our mailbag segment AND about an UNUSUAL biz plan he and Jim Northrup once concocted!
Eli answers Bob’s bemused question: “What the HELL does a chicken sandwich have to do with SPORTS?!”
Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 86: Bobby Hull: It Was the Biggest Disappointment of My Life

November 4, 2019 01:26:34

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 82: Razor Sharp at 79! Mike Lucci pulls NO punches!

October 21, 2019 01:25:05

A very savvy, sage, and one of the most amazing Lions of all time.

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

REALLY, what the HELL has been wrong with the FL’s?! Ex-Lions star Mike Lucci vents about that, NFL officiating & MUCH more!
Now, the same question — as it pertains to Michigan. Its “finest hour?!” Has Harbaugh gone NUTS? Will he be back next year?
MSU’s Captain Kirk and his Vikings embarrass the FL’s at Ford Field. Was it “easy” for the Vikes? One player predicted it would be!
The Amazing Altuve is off to the World Series as the Astros host Washington Tuesday. Bob tells the story of how he GOT to Houston.
Eli reports that MLB is negotiating a proposal to eliminate 40 minor league teams. Mr. McLain is not happy.
The NBA’s new season kicks off with what’s NOW a dud! We explain while previewing the league AND the Pistons for you.
Meanwhile, the Wings have come crashing down with four straight losses. The less famous Hughes brother hopes it’s FIVE.
And did you hear yet? Bob Page is a “RACIST!”
Those stories, our weekly comments from YOU on our mailbag segment and more right here

Episode 80: Ty Cobb to Denny and HIS generation: You Guys Suck!

October 14, 2019 01:25:13

These Kids Don’t Know How To Play The Game

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

Oh, the homers, the strikeouts, etc. in the MLB playoffs! Denny: It’s a different game. Bob: And blah, blah, blah.
And the baseballs themselves! “Wouldn’t It be NIce?” if everyone would just stop bitchin’ cuz “It’s Kind of a Drag.”
Denny finally goes to school on a future Hall of Famer — just one of the MANY baseball topics we’ve got for you.
Matt Stafford is on the cusp of breaking MORE records as the FL’s go to play — Bob’s favorite team?
No matter any one result, Eli’s also had enough of the FL’s and harkens back to the glorious 50’s — all we have left!
The new “biggest game of Harbaugh’s Michigan career” looms at Happy Valley this Saturday.
While Michigan State MAY be playing — WHEN they play -the FINAL games of Mark Dantonio’s career.
Bo and his presidency of the Tigers: the boys have plenty of stories on that — none that would make Bo proud!
Eli’s been TRYING to tell us so: a younger Steve Yzerman really WAS a big pain in the, uh — butt!
Those stories — the Wings desperate already?- and much more coming up right here.