Tag: OSU | No Filter Sports

Episode 154: GREAT boxer. Greater GENTLEMAN!

Detroit’s first champion since Joe Louis.

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

Ex-world champ HILMER KENTY joins us to discuss his career, Emanuel Steward, the Kronk, the current state of boxing and more!
A big 50th anniversary this week for Denny AND for Bob who reminisce about the night he came back from his MLB suspension.
And just to set the record straight, Mr. Giacalone, what did you DO to poor Denny to help end his career? Oh? REALLY?!
The Tigers have done WHAT? PARTNERED with a gambling sports book?! Denny: “I was SUSPENDED for doing the same thing!”
Baseball, uh, “spring training” has resumed, but Eli says we STILL don’t know what the season sked looks like.
P.C. Madness: we now learn from The Lunatics that “Honest Abe” apparently WASN’T so “honest.” HIS statue must go too!
Tag! YER it — or maybe yer NOT! Conflicting COVID tests all over now allow one PGA tour player into this week’s Detroit stop.
Ya say it doesn’t matter? Ya say prep superstar Emoni Bates won’t ever actually PLAY for MSU? Bob explains why it DOES matter.
Our Detroit radio affiliate WDFN is gone, suddenly changed to another format. Denny and Bob: sorry to hear it. Eli: SCREW radio!
Mr. Z also has This Day in Sports and a SHOCKING statement about YOUR weekly mailbag segment. It’s all right here!

Episode 150: The TWO Comebacks of Ratso!

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

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 140: The Greatest Legend in MLB HISTORY?!

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 139: The “Spaceman” — on EVERYTHING!

One of the great characters in sports.

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

You wanted to WHAT? BULLDOZE the Rocky Mountains?! It’s the one and only “SPACEMAN,” BILL LEE, on with us today!
What’s going on in sports? Almost NOTHING! But Eli, Denny and Bob still make the proverbial chicken SOUP outta chicken BLEEP.
Sports leagues planning to start again? Rumors abound every day. But HOW — and WHEN?
Human cockfighting had a big weekend anyway, though Eli calls it (and maybe YOU do too) “Ultimate Fighting Championship.”
At 53 (and apparently in need of money), Mike Tyson says he’s thinking about a comeback! How would HE do in UFC?
Whenever baseball announces it’s ready, is it possible ANOTHER issue could keep its doors closed?
MLB has now cut its draft rounds back due to COVID-19, but will that only help the rich (THE YANKEES!) get richer?
Baseball has changed SO much — and maybe not for the better. Denny rants on NOW versus THEN.
Cheating in college basketball? Biz as usual. Coach K even cheating?! Bob: “NEVER!” Eli: “Shut up, you Dukie!”
Those stories, we check in on Denny’s busy, uh, “social life,” YOUR Mailbag and much more right here!

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

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!

May 4, 2020 01:33:03

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 132: YOU asked for him! You GOT Dan Petry!

The perfect gentlemen.

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

Great guy! Great guest! Ex-Tiger Dan Petry joins us to talk about HIS career, son Jeff’s NHL career and more!
What day is it? Who knows? Temper-temper! The boys get nasty again over their opposite thoughts on COVID-19.
Bob asks, “Is this woman a NUT?!” over Michigan Governor Whitmer’s shut-down of almost the entire state!
Why no GOLF?! In FLORIDA, pro wrestling has now been deemed an “essential business!”
Think it has to do with a Dem running Michigan and a Republican running Florida? Denny says NO. Bob says YES.
The NFL has it’s first Covid-19 diagnosis as MSU alum Brian Allen tests positive. He’s just fine, thank you.
What’s that, Mr. NFL player? You DON’T wanna play for the FL’S? Golly, why NOT?
The moment we’ve all been waiting for: BASEBALL is underway again! Uh, in Taiwan AND with fake fans!
Long-time pilot Denny gives us his take on the disturbing new report re Roy Halladay’s plane-crash death.
Can U-M athletic director Warde Manuel survive his gaffe in the Wolverines’ own sex scandal? MSU redux?!
Eli tells us there’s trouble for Michigan basketball too. Juwan suddenly loses his top two recruits!
Those stories, a rising NASCAR driver turns into a pariah, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 127: SO GREAT! SO What Happened?!

Sports can very, very cruel.

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

And a happy (albeit belatedly) 76th birthday to Denny!
Hard to believe that maybe the BEST all-round athlete in Michigan HISTORY is now 40!
We’ll ask DREW HENSON about his two-sport career and WHY the former U-M QB never made it in the pros.
Eli and Bob, old pals, actually start YELLING at each other over – what else these days? COVID-19.
It’s OPENING DAY in Detroit! But instead of REAL baseball we have – huh? – a simulated game?
Sports still going on: soccer in a couple foreign nations. How many 1-nil matches so far? We’re STILL counting!
Thank goodness the NFL Draft WILL happen. It’s giving fans and media pundits something to TALK about.
“The rich get richer.” In THIS case the old saw means Ohio State versus Michigan in football.
Jim Wynn and Curly Neal have died. Bob & Eli recall playing AGAINST Neal WITH the late Mark “Doc”Andrews.
Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more coming up here.

Episode 121: Waiting for Godot? Waiting for Ronnie!

He’s SO unreliable!

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

He PROMISED he was going to come on with us, but Ron LeFlore wouldn’t pick up his phone — even for three old pals!
That doesn’t stop the boys from telling some good Ronnie tales anyway, such as the time Jim Campbell …
Each week the sex scandal at Michigan seems to grow. But what can be done now with the principals all dead?
Now the Wolverines and Spartans ready for the annual bogus, made-only-for-TV/publicity Big 13+Rutgers tournament.
The NFL votes on its new contract Thursday. Eli wages a passionate argument on behalf of its young players.
Tony Romo last week, Al Michaels and Peyton Manning getting MILLIONS this week?! CRAZY — or NOT?
•Bob gives us a Tigers spring training update from just around the corner in West Palm Beach.
(Gulp!) Will the Coronavirus shut down all of sports?! How about some FACTS to quell the mindless panic going on.
A REAL shocker here, gang: Denny McLain wants to talk about the Wings and HOCKEY?! Bob does too. As usual, Eli does NOT.
But wait! He doesn’t want to talk about his beloved Pistons either. Or Tom Izzo either. What’s up with THIS?!
Uh, he’s in Florida this week and had a tee time to get to! Those stories, YOUR mailbag and more right here.