Tag: Luke Nowacki | No Filter Sports

Episode 174: Doug English: a True LION on the Field

September 10, 2020 01:45:02

One of the league’s true warriors.

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

He didn’t win a Super Bowl. No Detroit Lion ever has (or will?), but guest DOUG ENGLISH remains one of the most popular players in team history.
It’s opening week in the NFL. Coaches upset over no fans at their home games, the threat of BLM and National Anthem protests. What a kerfuffle already!
Oh, and Bob wonders what the league will do if/WHEN a player tests positive for COVID-19. Would they panic and cancel a game on a Sunday morning?!
Few teams have the long tradition of the Detroit Tigers. So when they set a new low for futility at Milwaukee THAT was really saying something!
Now what to do with struggling Matthew Boyd? Denny: TRADE HIM. But why wouldn’t the Tigers call Denny — or Lolich or Tanana — to at least pick their brains?
Eli says the quality of the NBA Playoffs has been stellar, but Bob is among the pissed-off millions who haven’t watched a single game yet.
As if the NBA needed MORE controversy, the Stephen A. Smiths of the world cry (surprise!) “WHITE PRIVILEGE” over Steve Nash’s hiring.
The NHL Playoffs have been excellent too — for those few outside Dallas and Las Vegas who find the Stars vs the Knights in summertime compelling.
Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and much more right here!

Episode 168: Tom Izzo: Coach of the PISTONS?!

August 20, 2020 01:37:54

I think he regrets not taking that job.

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

Eli’s on vacation so veteran sportscaster FRED HEUMANN joins us with some big opinions and stories!
Casey Mize makes his LONG-awaited MLB debut! MOST of us thought he did well. NOT Denny!
Al Avila says on a Friday that Mize and the other kids are NOT ready. By MONDAY they ARE?! Bob thinks he knows why.
Thom Brennaman commits the ultimate TV/radio sin: not so much WHAT he said, it’s the cardinal rule he FORGOT!
Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a grand slam on a 3-0 count with his team up by SEVEN in the 8th inning — and the feces hits the fan!
The NFL is now considering a postseason “bubble” which has worked for the NBA and NHL.
Most of COLLEGE football is not going to play at all. Players, parents and one prominent medical expert are VERY unhappy.
A potentially GREAT Michigan O-lineman has already seen enough. HE’S heading to the pros!
One of the legal world’s greatest truisms: how much “justice” can you afford? In Robert Kraft’s case, a LOT!
Those stories, “This Day in Sports” — just for Denny McLain, YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 162: Former Pistons Star Makes REAL Good!

July 30, 2020 01:32:08

I don’t want anybody to know what I’m doing!

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

“How to Succeed in Business WITH Really Trying?” What a life ex-Pistons star JOHN MENGELT has had! “Crash” joins the boys.
Eli comes up with an interesting stat: as of Thursday we were already 1/10th through the MLB season!
Fantastic start for the Tigers’ Jacoby Jones. Will he someday become a big star? Eli: Maybe Denny: NO! Bob: YES!
Miguel Cabrera is slow. Uh, HOW slow IS he? Pathetically slow – and perhaps washed up too!
Joe Kelly of the Dodgers was slapped with an eight-game suspension after headhunting the Astros. Fair?
Oh. You haven’t been watching MLB games? Had enough of COVID issues, eh? Don’t worry. It’s all FAKE — says one NBA player.
Racism, real or not, is cutting a swath through the U.S. Will one of the Big Ten’s best-known coaches be a victim?
MANY alleged victims file a lawsuit charging that Bo Schembechler WAS guilty in the U-M sex abuse scandal.
Those stories, Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob has YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 160: 50 YEARS in Detroit Sportscasting!

July 23, 2020 01:35:30

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 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!

Eric Hipple in Lions uniform holding a football

Episode 153: NFL MUST Go On — but with Eric Hipple’s Solution?

June 29, 2020 01:35:50

I’m going to be controversial. Quarantine and isolate. You don’t have to see your family during the season.

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

QB ERIC HIPPLE had it bad enough just PLAYING for the Lions, but what he suffered after was MUCH worse. Eric guests!
Eli and Denny spent their weekends watching – what else? – GOLF. They seem okay with its current state. Bob’s NOT.
The NBA playing in empty arenas and now with P.C. social messages on the backs of unis?! Had enough of pro basketball yet?
The FANS, the FANS! Bob says there are no sports and no sports media without YOU — so why play ANY games this year?
Even as Bill Belichick pays up for cheating — AGAIN — he brilliantly delivers what COULD be a big blow to other teams.
What does M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E spell? “THE NHL!” The league’s idiotic draft set-up screws the Red Wings.
Johnny Manziel has put football behind him: “I just want to be happy for the rest of my life.” WE have a suggestion!
More CRAZINESS everywhere. Kansas State’s football team boycotts; says THEY will control who’s enrolled at the university.
Statues being illegally torn down or replaced. How far will it go? Two American ICONS may be next — for very different reasons.
Eli provides “This Day in Sports History,” Bob rolls out YOUR Mailbag and much more — right here!

Episode 151: “SUDDEN Sam McDowell?” SCARY Sam!

June 22, 2020 01:31:05

Something of a terror on the mound.

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

SAM McDOWELL: I worried about killing a batter my entire career. Sam has an amazing life story and he joins the boys!
We have a winner from the Belmont Stakes — DENNY! Others say ANYBODY coulda picked Tiz the Law.
Eli (GULP!) went OUT to a restaurant Saturday night and almost NO ONE was wearing a mask! He’s still with us — so far.
Many athletes have tested positive for COVID-19, not that they’ll have symptoms. Should sports just go away at this point?
Controversy over the Confederate flag NOT going away for a while — but a NOOSE hung in the garage of a black NASCAR driver?!
Muhammad Ali Jr. says his late father – and Eli’s hero – would not have supported BLM. Eli pooh-poohs him.
The Pistons hired – WHO? – Troy Weaver as GM. Bob only wonders why there’s an extra executive ABOVE him.
The DH is FINALLY coming to the National League! When you hear Mr. McDowell talk about HIS HITTING, you’ll know why.
Two statues of well-known former team owners REMOVED. NYC even removes a statue of Teddy Roosevelt!
When the Tigers DO play again, don’t be surprised if THEY remove the statue of TY COBB from Comerica Park.
Those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 150: The TWO Comebacks of Ratso!

June 18, 2020 01:28:36

You’re going to do what’s called upon you.

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

Average pitcher. Heart attack at age 27! Then lights-out reliever — ex-Tigers star JOHN HILLER’s got GREAT stories!
Eli says Colin Kaepernick has gone from kryptonite to Man of the Year! NFL owners only wanna know if he can still PLAY.
With no fans allowed, the PGA Colonial had its best TV ratings in 16 years. But were folks THAT interested — or just BORED?
We run down some of the NBA’s RIDICULOUS COVID-19 rules for resuming its season in a bubble.
And if THAT’s not comedy enough for you, Kyrie Irving wants to start his own competing PLAYER-owned league.
MLB players/owners continue to make a mockery of what Denny claims IS “our national pastime.” He gets big pushback on THAT!
And now the two GREEDY sides may at some point institute soccer-like advertising on uniforms?!
The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown will finally be run Saturday. Denny has a hot tip! Bob: CAVEAT EMPTOR!
Meanwhile, the insanity continues in society. Statues are coming down or vandalized from BOTH political sides.
Long-time MLB hurler Lary Sorensen writes us in YOUR Mailbag about ONE HOFer he used to EAT UP. (Hint: believe it or not, it was our most recent guest!).
Those stories 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!

Dennis Polonich playing hockey for Detroit Red Wings

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

June 11, 2020 01:28:14

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!