Jim Northrup

Episode 172: Shep: LIVIN’ THE DREAM!

Matt Shepard

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 165: Tigers Fan Fave Steve Kemp: What MIGHT Have Been.

Steve Kemp at bat

I was confident, but I wasn’t arrogant.

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

  • Just ONE hit away from Cooperstown? Maybe. One ACCIDENTAL “hit” in the EYE! STEVE KEMP joins the boys.
  • The Tigers were rolling after a sweep of the Pirates — despite the struggling Matt Boyd. Denny breaks down his problems.
  • Did MLB even consider this: can a team still go the playoffs if COVID-19 cancels a BIG part of its short season?
  • By the time you hear this show, college football may be canceled — at least until next spring
  • And programs will be so cash-strapped they’re now begging season ticket holders to donate anyway.
  • Another week, another big-time recruit escapes from right under Jim Harbaugh’s nose.
  • NOW Jimmy’s also upset his top rival who vows ugly REVENGE whenever Michigan and Ohio State do play!
  • Collin Morikawa wins the PGA Championship at 23 and the golf world has its LATEST “New Tiger!” But Bob has a reminder.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR Mailbag and — dig THIS: Denny invites ALL OF YOU over to his house!
  • Those stories and much more coming up right here!

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 144: From the Ol’ Farm — to Scoring a Super Bowl TD!

Tom Nowatzke on trading card

The only Lion of that era to win a Super Bowl!

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

  • Our guest is the bruising fullback, TOM NOWATZKE, on his 1960’s Lions, Colts teammate Johnny U and MUCH MORE!
  • While pro sports leagues FIGHT during negotiations on when and how to start playing again, Eli and Bob repeat: go away til 2021.
  • No sports? No games to gamble on, no casinos to gamble IN! One way or another the city of Detroit may pay an awful price.
  • No football? Not only does Dolphins owner Stephen Ross say we WILL have an NFL season but he has unusual plans for his stadium.
  • Bob asks why Jim Harbaugh seemed so thrilled to recruit only a good, not great, player this week. Is it THAT bad in Ann Arbor now?
  • VERY different opinions among  the boys over golf and last Sunday’s “The Match.” If you watched it, you were NOT alone.
  • The Michigan House has passed a bill allowing college athletes to make extra money on the side — and Eli’s apoplectic!
  • From Denny: the legendary overseas boxing match he actually went to! And does his ex-catcher Jim Price really HATE him?!
  • The latter question comes from YOUR mailbag segment. We’ll have that and many other top stories 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 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 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 114: Jason “Rooftop” Thompson: My Life in Baseball

Jason Thompson batting

The old guys call me Rooftop, the younger kids have no idea who I am!

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

  • JASON THOMPSON joins the boys who ask why Sparky got rid of him, what it was like to be part of “Birdmania” and much more!
  • Mel Tucker is the new MSU football coach. You say Michigan media people were SOFT on this story? WE will NOT be!
  • Ah, those “student-athletes.” Two football players banished from Ohio State over rape allegations!
  • Is MLB going to update its playoff format to 14 teams — and pick your OWN opponent?! Denny has an alternative.
  • The Astros’ sign-stealing is still making folks angry — and Denny’s even angrier about Pete Rose asking back in. 
  • Are the FL’s really going to trade Matthew Stafford? How much could they get for him at this point?
  • Eli says the Pistons are worth a BILLION dollars more than Tom Gores paid for them! Bob explains why he REALLY wanted the team.
  • “Screaming” Tom Izzo MAY have righted his sinking ship with a big win at Illinois.
  • But don’t blame Northwestern for losing to Michigan’s basketball team. The Mildcats do things the right way.
  • Those stories, Denny McLain, golf hustler as part of YOUR mailbag segment plus MORE right here.

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

Alan Trammell at bat

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

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.