Larry Bird

Episode 171: “I BLEED Green and White!”

Lorenzo White in Spartans uniform

Lorenzo White…the former Spartan great.

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

  • Bo Jackson stole HIS Heisman! And so did Tim Brown! Ex-MSU superstar running back LORENZO WHITE is our guest!
  • Eli starts the show by admitting he’s depressed these days with the world SO messed up. Bob: Join the club.
  • The Tigers have found life again! They’re challenging for the playoffs. Denny is NOT impressed. Ditto with Casey Mize.
  • Is there life still left in the old man? Miggy smacks his 2,000th career hit as a Tiger and is having FUN again!
  • COVID-19 on the wane? The NBA now says it’s going to open its bubble to friends and family of the players.
  • Dustin Johnson really impresses Denny and Eli despite falling in a playoff Sunday to a miraculous putt.
  • One of the legends of college basketball has died. Bob’s not the only guy who had issues with John Thompson.
  • Excuse me, WHAT was that amazing pitching line on Denny McLain again?! Even HE can’t believe it.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and much more right here!

Episode 146: Campy Russell: An American Success Story

Campy Russell

What a career!

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

  • The boys welcome ex-Michigan and NBA star CAMPY RUSSELL to the show, who says the NBA’S “show” MUST go on!
  • As if COVID-19 weren’t enough of an issue, society’s racial unrest is suddenly tearing apart the sports world.
  • The controversy’s also caused a long-time NBA announcer to lose his job while one NFL coach is trying to hang on to HIS.
  • And will a Florida State football star lose his spot on the team after publicly calling his head coach a — WHAT?!
  • The MLB season is in serious jeopardy over the usual millionaires vs billionaires squabble. DENNY sets a deadline!
  • The NBA and the NHL WILL return — but at this point, how many people even care anymore?
  • And how many brave souls would turn out in the brutal South Florida summer to watch Major League SOCCER?
  • Eli talks with former guest, attorney DAN WALLACH, then says Duke’s Zion scandal will NOT be a big problem. Bob’s not sure!
  • Denny asks why it seems like SO many sports figures are now dying.  Wes Unseld, Pat Dye and Johnny Majors just this week.
  • Lenny Dykstra has lost a defamation lawsuit against an ex-Mets teammate. Why? TRY to stifle your laughter.
  • And YOUR mailbag segment NOW has nearly sent Eli into apoplexy. Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 138: NOLAN and FRANK — Oh, MY!!!

Collage of Frank Tanana baseball cards

The best 1-2 punch since Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.

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

  • From booze and broads in L.A. to “rebirth” in his hometown, Detroit’s own FRANK TANANA is our guest!
  • As they used to say: VCR ALERT!!! A THREE-HOUR TV special JUST on the new NFL sked! (Yippee)
  • There ARE certain pro sports underway in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Desperate enough yet to watch them?
  • Michigan and Michigan State football: Who needs EITHER? — as one famous coach seems to be implying.
  • Eli has more on the sex abuse scandal at U-M. A listener asks, “How is a ‘retired’ sports reporter scooping the CURRENT media?!”
  • Pete Rose selfish and reckless for still signing at sport shows? Bob says “B.S.!” Pete corked his bats? DENNY says “BFD!”
  • Eli has a confession: he actually listens to local sports radio “guy-talk!” But he still makes fun of it.
  • NBA issues: WHEN it returns there may be a big drop-off in play AND is K.D. still paid $$$$ if his Nets are not ALLOWED to play?
  • Will ESPN’s “Last Dance” NEVER end?! NOW we go from EVERYONE hating on Isiah to Sir Charles and M.J. hating on each other.
  • Bob details how and why Giants quarterback Phil Simms said an emphatic “NO!” to playing golf with Michael.
  • Eli said “YES!” to HIS golf game with comedian Tim Allen. THOSE stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

George Blaha

An incredible career that started very modestly.
It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

He’s known all over Michigan and the NBA. For 44 years the voice of the Pistons. GEORGE BLAHA joins us today!

  • Will there BE an NBA season? The NFL says IT’S starting on time but, oh, the problems they’ll have!
  • Bob asks how owners will pay the MILLIONS they owe on guaranteed contracts with few fans and lower ticket prices.
  • ESPN’s latest episodes of “The Last Dance” expose more anger between MJ and Isiah.
  • Vegas has pitched a plan to finish the seasons for the major sports leagues. The response? Deafening silence!
  • But the odds ARE out for the FLs’ 2020 season. About as encouraging as news of their LATEST blown top draft pick.
  • MSU and U-M’s odds on winning a national championship this year? Understandable in East Lansing, HUMILIATING in Ann Arbor!
  • Meanwhile, what did Bo and Canham know — and when did they know it? Eli’s U-M sources have a LOT to say on the subject!
  • “So, Miss, I don’t know how to put this, but, uh, there’s something I’d like to ask you about your, um, physical endowments. May I?”
  • Those stories, a BIG thanks to all of you who are donating to the show, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!


Episode 136: Dave Bing, THIS is YOUR Life!

Dave Bing

Let’s refresh some people’s memories.

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

  • DAVE BING could have been INFAMOUS in Detroit sports instead of one of its most BELOVED figures. The Mayor joins us today!
  • So ya wanted Denny’s big MLB “scoop” he promised recently but never delivered? We’ve got it NOW — from another source!
  • MORE lawsuits involving alleged sex abuse at Michigan State, this time a big one against the NCAA itself.
  • It’s official: college sports’ “student-athletes” are now finally allowed to make money on outside endeavors!
  • Looks like Shea Patterson WON’T be making any money in the NFL. Details of his stunning fall from grace.
  • Quick now, Denny: if’n NASCAR come back, which good ol’ boy gonna win the CO-Cola 600? Denny: UH, who’s IN it?
  • Further ugliness from the Bulls-Pistons rivalry being displayed on ESPN. WHAT is Isaiah NOW claiming?!
  • A listener takes exception to Eli’s comments about Ernie Harwell. Eli defends himself — and Bob riffs on “the meaning of Ernie.”
  • Stevie Y signs two top young Swedish goalies. If STEVIE likes ’em, WE like ’em too. After all, can we FULLY trust Bernier?
  • Listen up, all you single gals out there! Guess who’s being BOMBARDED on a dating service now? Hint: NOT Eli. NOT Bob.
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly Mailbag segment  - soon to be SPONSORED by YOU? - 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 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 128: Most loved? Most hated? Most FEARED? Our GUEST!

Former NBA Columnist Peter Vecsey

He took no prisoners. 

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

  • NBC-TV and New York Post star Peter Vecsey sets down his famous Poison Pen to join the boys on - what else?! - the NBA.
  • We gotta do it, folks - first thing EVERY show now. The latest horrors from COVID-19 AND the panic destroying our economy.
  • A “sport” still going on: video game basketball! Two young producers take three geezers by the hand and explain what THAT is!
  • Among MORE sports cancellations? Wimbledon! The British Open may be next.
  • And what if horse racing’s Triple Crown is called off? Four famous Tigers/ex-Tigers are dreading that! We’ll tell you why.
  • MORE trouble for Michigan State! THIS time it involves Tom Izzo himself and it COULD be serious.
  • Still working? Have any money coming in? How would you like to make five grand a DAY - and not HAVE to work for it?
  • That’s what’s happening for many MLB stars while the league ponders six-man starting rotations IF baseball returns soon.
  • What’s the ONE topic ALWAYS off the table among big-time athletes? Bob explains how a guy just violated it!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 107: The SB, MLB Scandal and Earl Cureton on Roundball

Mahomes and Garoppolo

It’s Just About A Pick’em.

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

  • He was a teammate of some of the great players in NBA history! Detroiter Earl Cureton is with us today.
  • EVERYBODY is looking forward to THIS one! The Chiefs versus the Niners in the Super Bowl.
  • Eli tells us Netflix has a new doc out on the tragic life of Aaron Hernandez — and a wild story it is!
  • The Astros’ pitch/sign-stealing scandal rages on. How do YOU and others feel about it? ESPN has an answer.
  • Hand the boys a napkin: They need to wipe the EGG of their faces about Sparky and some of his ex-players.
  • Wither the maybe-NOT-so-pathetic Pistons? Bob says things might be looking up —  and SIGN Drummond. Eli: NO!
  • Why haven’t the WINGS signed Gerard Gallant yet as the disaster rolls on unmitigated?
  • Eli recaps the UFC McGregor/Cowboy bout. DENNY for “Sports Person of the Year”? Someone in the mailbag thinks so!
  • And Detroit pro teams are bad. Uh, HOW bad ARE they? Those stories and much more right here!

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

Jay Vincent in MSU Spartan uniform

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!