Tag: Lou Whitaker | No Filter Sports

Episode 212: Our Guest? One of Detroit’s Greatest Sportswriters!

January 28, 2021 01:31:03

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

The Baseball Hall of Fame has elected NOBODY this year. SHOULD they have?
TOM GAGE, in the writers wing of the Hall himself, is a long-time voter and, boy, does he have a LOT to say to us!
Bob wonders if you were thinking what he was last Sunday: did Belichick actually WANT Brady to win?
How much “justice” can you afford? Brady’s former boss can afford a LOT, as it’s turned out!
Producer Brandon McAfee has an interesting suggestion for the Lions in their quest to deal Matt Stafford.
Remember that guy, Tom Izzo? Seems like AGES since he and his MSU basketball team have played.
Yet the NBA is having even more COVID issues than Michigan State did AND that Michigan basketball now has.
Don’t be a smart-aleck! The Pathetic Pistons are NOT gonna halt their season. Who would ASK to play for THEM?
Denny: “If there’s a lotta fish on the table somebody’s gonna start eating ’em.” HUH?! He, um, DOES explain.
What’s this — Al Avila with a smart free-agent signing? The boys all agree on something — for once.
Those stories, answers to questions you may now have about this show in YOUR mailbag and more — right here!

Episode 210: Never Fear — Our GAMES are Still Here!

January 21, 2021 01:17:51

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

We all agree: the world SUCKS right now, but at least we still have sports — AND its knuckleheads — to entertain us.
What team gets a home game in the Super Bowl? None EVER! Tom Brady hopes to change that in the NFC title game.
And another ex-Michigan star quarterback could also make headlines in Sunday’s AFC title tilt.
Are you betting the games? You can now do that LEGALLY in Michigan starting Friday.
The Lions unveil their LATEST five-year rebuilding program, so optimistic they gave their LATEST coach a SIX-year deal!
Why do younger Lions fans also seem so optimistic about their sad-sack team? Brandon McAfee RANTS on that!
SWEATING and SLOBBERING all over each other? The NBA’s okay with that — but handshakes? No WAY.
Bob’s sweating out Friday, hoping COVID doesn’t cancel Michigan at Purdue. Like all of us, he needs something to do!
Why are the Pistons so pathetic? ONE game tells part of the story: a guy they have and two guys they should have had.
Is Tigers G.M. Al Avila signing all these bums just to irritate Denny? If so, he’s doing a great job of it!
Is the Baseball Hall of Fame ready to put Clemens and/or Bonds in next week? Should they? Hear our spirited debate.
All those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more coming up right here!

Episode 167: SO Many Good Questions for RICH STRENGER!

August 17, 2020 01:21:15

You’re not going to get me to say anything negative about Bo.

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

U-M star, NFL vet AND an attorney? What better person to ask about EVERYTHING going on than RICH STRENGER!
How TERRIBLE are the Tigers? NOT so terrible that they can’t easily make the playoffs, especially WITH Casey Mize.
Covid-19 in MLB? The Cardinals are FINALLY playing again — WITH a convoy of 41 rental cars on the roads!
The NBA Playoffs start(ed) Monday night. NO COVID issues there so far. Eli gives kudos to Adam Silver for that.
College football already slammed by COVID. The Big (14) won’t play — unless players and parents have THEIR way.
Tuukka Rask of the Bruins has called it quits DURING the 2020 NHL playoffs! Bob says he quit on his TEAMMATES.
Kelly Stafford walks back her criticism of Colin Kaepernick. Eli and Denny laud her. Bob: Who cares what SHE thinks?
A BIG 80% of Packers ticket holders say they will NOT go to Lambeau this year! Eli and Denny: Would YOU go to a game?
Another week, ANOTHER Denny McLain scheme. Wait til you hear what he’s going to do now — AND with WHOM!
Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob has YOUR mailbag — and MUCH more right here!

Episode 158: SUPER-Sub Johnny Grubb!

July 16, 2020 01:22:24

Everybody understood what our roles were.

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

1984 Tigers hero JOHNNY GRUBB joins the boys on his long MLB career, playing for Sparky AND Duke Snider — and more!
What’s NEXT in this wacko P.C. world? One of the great powers in college basketball forced to change ITS nickname too?!
Chase Elliott has won the NASCAR All-Star Race before 20,000 REAL fans! Bob asks why the major sports can’t have fans too?
Would it help your enjoyment if ALL sports teams used fake crowd noise and fan cut-out figures in the seats? You GOT it!
Is playing on the PGA Tour without fans EASIER? Denny says NO. Everybody in golf seems to say YES!
Excited about phenom Casey Mize pitching for Detroit this year? Denny sees a BIG potential problem for him already!
The NBA’s “Bubble” apparently has a big hole in it now — but only if you’re a hot 20-something young woman.
Eli has This Day in Sports which includes one of the worst collisions ever seen in baseball.
Those stories, You-Know-Who on the Hammond Organ in YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 149: The GREAT Rod Carew

June 15, 2020 01:35:43

No easy out.

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

Baseball Hall of Famer ROD CAREW joins the boys to talk about his amazing career, amazing new HEART & more!
So Jim Nantz began Saturday’s PGA telecast with a tribute to George Floyd? Bob asks where the Tour’s BEEN all these years!
Is Rob Manfred going to save MLB’s season by FORCING the players and owners to (finally) get started?
The NBA has a plan to come back, but Kyrie Irving says it SHOULDN’T until “Black Lives Matter” is accomplished!
No word from the NHL on its restart as one star coach asks how an NFL comeback’s possible with “social distancing.”
What if Gibby’s World Series homers had been played in EMPTY STADIUMS?! Eli on board with Bob: there MUST be fans!
ESPN’s doc on the steroid-laden 1998 home-run race premieres. Why are McGuire & Bonds welcome in MLB but not Sosa?
Mr. Z always has terrific stories about Allen Iverson who just turned 45. You won’t believe what happens when he turns 55!
What happened 55 YEARS ago? Denny: ROD CAREW broke in? Uh, NO, Denny! He finally got the answer.
Those stories, YOUR Mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 145: The Remarkable Life of Trixie!

June 1, 2020 01:39:54

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!

May 21, 2020 01:30:38

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 140: The Greatest Legend in MLB HISTORY?!

May 14, 2020 01:37:36

The No-Hitter in Yankee Stadium was really special.

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

How did JIM ABBOTT do it?! Born without a right hand – yet became a star pitcher at U-M AND in MLB?! Jim joins the boys!
Sports are slowly coming back — but maybe not MLB. WAAYYY too many money issues, as we’ve reported previously.
So that begs the question: do people NEED sports or do MORE people HATE sports? Eli has some passionate thoughts on that.
But there’s plenty to do and watch without sports — as Denny found out during an impromptu stroll down Memory Lane!
What about the NFL? Bob details a LOT of issues that may keep IT from opening too. No more TAILGATING?!
Not guilty! A judge has dismissed the charges from the Nassar Nightmare against former MSU President Lou Anna Simon.
Meanwhile, there’s surprising news about former Spartan star linebacker, the late Mike Labinjo.
Ohio State and Michigan SCARED of a football rival? MSU, Penn St and Wisconsin too? Not YET, at least, but maybe soon?
Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland (mercifully?) blown out of the Monday Night Football broadcast booth. NOW what?
Our producer Brand McAfee makes a SHOCKING confession about his childhood — and STILL can’t let go of it!
YOUR Mailbag may now have a theme song! You, uh, might NOT want to hear it as warbled by DENNY McLAIN, though.
Those stories and much more right here!

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

May 7, 2020 01:25:26

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 135: “Local Boy Makes GOOD?” Makes BIG STAR!

April 27, 2020 01:34:24

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.