OJ Simpson

Episode 180: What’s WRONG with U-M Football? BUTCH Has an Idea!

Butch Woolfolk

They need to go with a more athletic quarterback.

It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Bob Page — and Lary Sorensen sitting in for Denny!

  • Ya better be TOUGH to play for Bo AND Parcells! BUTCH WOOLFOLK was — and DID! The ex-Michigan star running back is our guest.
  • The MLB Playoffs had more games Wednesday than the entire post-season of many past years! And WHAT time did that Yankees game end?
  • Modern technology is changing baseball even further. Lary tells us about pitchLogic and Bob has more on the umpires versus the computers.
  • Is the pandemic slowly starting to wane? MLB announces that there WILL be fans at some upcoming games.
  • “I can not BELIEVE that jerk dropped the ball!!!” Yep, it sure is easy watching games from the couch. Lary calls us all OUT on that.
  • Was Denny RIGHT on our last show? Could The NBA Finals indeed be a four-game sweep for the Lakers over Miami.
  • Eli has some strong words for the possible upcoming McGregor/Pacquiao fight.  
  • And so the stage is set for still another Detroit Lions collapse — just when some fans (who don’t know any better!) are getting excited.
  • Mr. Z also has “This Day in Sports,” Bob has YOUR mailbag segment and we’ve got much MORE right here!

 

Episode 178: Welcome, Lary! THIS is How We Roll!

Lary Sorensen

Good luck?!

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

  • Ex-MLB and U-M pitcher Lary Sorensen will have a role in many of our future shows. Did HE get an earful today as the boys fuss and FEUD! 
  • First — a fiery exchange over new Lions’ boss Sheila Ford Hamp. As usual, it’s Eli and Denny vs. Bob with “let’s give her a chance!” vs. “what a joke!” 
  • Then later, a REALLY “fiery exchange” between Denny and Bob over baseball!
  • Denny also continues to insist the FL’s will NOT fire Matt Patricia this year. Eli: hold the phone on that one with an 0-4 start looming.
  • The legendary Gale Sayers passed away this week at 77. Was he the first great BLACK halfback ever?
  • Sayers was arguably THE greatest running back PERIOD. So, who was MLB’s greatest starting pitcher? Bob says only that nobody’s ever been BETTER than de Grom.
  • With the Tigers’ season essentially over for some time, what to do about Miggy SUDDENLY looking like MIGGY again? 
  • A listener wonders where on EARTH Denny got his “scoop” that the Tigers would name Lance Parrish to replace Gardy?
  • Get ready for a whopping 16 teams in the MLB playoffs — permanently — or even more! Ya like that idea?
  • Since Denny has ZERO interest in hockey, that must mean none of YOU cares about hockey — right? Bob still pays tribute to two famous Michigan hockey products.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History” then wages another battle with Bob over YOUR Mailbag. WHEW! What a DAY! Those stories and more right here. Be ready!

Episode 169: DEXTER BUSSEY in the Battle of His LIFE!

Dexter Bussey

Typical Dexter Bussey: No complaints

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

  • One of the most popular Lions in memory, DEXTER BUSSEY, joins the boys on his career, unusual POST-career — AND his health! 
  • You’ll hear the voice of legendary sportscaster Bob Reynolds on Dex. WHAT? Never heard of BOB REYNOLDS?! It’s NOT all pretty. 
  • Not only did the Tigers actually win a GAME against Cleveland, they won the weekend series!  
  • Now what? Does Al Avila go for broke or does he start trading guys for more “prospects” - SUSPECTS - at the deadline? 
  • The PC Posse continues its takeover of sports, UNLESS, as Bob points out, you’re a black NBA player making a racist comment. 
  • And to think of Mike Milbury being “canceled” for a totally innocuous statement — whether YOU like him as a commentator or not. 
  • Resident golf mavens Eli and Denny go NUTS over what Dustin Johnson did last weekend! Does Koepka eat humble pie? 
  • Did they just hold one of the greatest events of the sports world in veritable secrecy?! Almost seems that way! 
  • Denny may not like it, but one NFL team now says there WILL be fans at ITS home games this year. 
  • Those stories, Eli with “This Day in Sports,” Bob with YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 159: Dombro’s NEWEST MLB Challenge

Dave Dombroski

Nashville!

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

  • What REALLY happened to DAVE DOMBROWSKI with the Tigers AND the Sawx? The long-time top MLB exec joins us!
  • Canada just says “NO” — to the U.S.! But if the Blue Jays can’t play at home does it matter — with no fans at games anyway?
  • What are MLB games like now without spectators? Bob reports on his Yankees-Mets experience of the weekend.
  • And the PGA Tour experience with no gallery? Eli says he loves golf so much it’s STILL good. Denny and Bob disagree.
  • Now, boys, BEHAVE!!! ANOTHER COVID-19 melee breaks out — but don’t worry, folks. We kept it short.
  • Ditto the latest from the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Eli suggests what they SHOULD have named it.
  • No young black man’s gonna “snitch” on other young black men murdering black men, yet the NBA now has a “snitch line!” 
  • Is the NFL REALLY going to play its violent, contact sport in the new NO-contact world of today?
  • What about college football? Even MORE, what about all the workers who make their livings from football games?
  • “HETEROsexual discrimination?” One of hockey’s biggest names is claiming just that in a new lawsuit!
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports” PLUS “This Day in NO FILTER SPORTS(?)” in YOUR mailbag — and much more!

Episode 149: The GREAT Rod Carew

Rod Carew at bat

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 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 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 109: Chris Spielman: A Football Life

Chris Spielman playing in Lions uniform

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.

 

Episode 97: Will Jeff Bezos Buy the Lions?!

Jeff Bezos

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

  • Will Jeff Bezos buy the Lions?! https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/rumor-jeff-bezos-has-visited-detroit-twice-to-talk-about-buying-lions/Bob tells why that might NOT happen.
  • He’s the proud owner of a USFL championship ring AND played in TWO Super Bowls: Ray Bentley is with us today!
  • Ray’s Michigan Panthers lead into old USFL stories and the VERY famous owner not ALLOWED to buy an NFL team.
  • Other NFL stories? Is the “R word” now a firing offense? And what’s wrong with “white women?!”
  • One NFL NON-story? The FL’s lose their seventh straight. But why count — other than the days til Matt’s gone?
  • Oregon conquers Ann Arbor and Bob didn’t like what he saw in Saturday’s game, particularly from Juwan. 
  • Is ONE reason MSU has been so disappointing the personal tragedy of its star player?
  • The Army-Navy game under fire for a televised “white supremacy” sign from two cadets. Or WAS it that?
  • LSU QB Joe Burrow has won the Heisman, a trophy Eli disdains. He’ll tell you why.
  • He also RAVAGES what USED to be Sports Illustrated. Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

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

Baseball covered in dollar bills with red stitching

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!