Sports

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

Gus Johnson

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.

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

Dan Petry pitching

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 131: SELL! No, BUY! Whither YOUR Dough?

A person's finger touching a button on a screen

I don’t think we’ll ever have an opportunity like this again.

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

  • Stand by for our big Masters recap! NOT. It WOULD have concluded Sunday but the sports world remains on hold.
  • Are the NBA and NHL playoffs about to be played soon anyway? Is the start to the MLB season?
  • Sports-starved Eli and Denny say THEY’LL watch! Bob says he WON’T; not in empty arenas and stadiums.
  • So what are SOME watching NOW? TV shows for Eli and Denny.  H-O-R-S-E with famous basketball players on national TV?!
  • Seems like Tom Brady and his agents are looking to trademark half of Tampa! Distasteful? Greedy?
  • Drew Brees has just been recruited again — but not by Purdue. Are TV sports execs crazy? WAIT. Don’t answer that.
  • RIP Doug Sanders, Glenn Beckert, Colby Cave, Tarvaris Jackson, Tom Webster, Pat Stapleton and Stirling Moss.
  • MONEY talk — YOUR money! Sponsor Luke Nowacki offers some suggestions on what you might want to do now.
  • Meanwhile, many of you have graciously offered to donate to our show in the past. We have an announcement to make.
  • In YOUR mailbag this week: ANGER at “leftist” Eli, other media people POACHING us(?!), an Al Kaline controversy
  • And it’s all coming up for you right here!

Episode 130: AL KALINE 1934-2020

Young Al Kaline in uniform

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

‘They’ve got their blankies, their pacifiers and they’re quivering under their beds in fear! NO! Not from COVID-19!

  • Fox Sports Detroit and owner Sinclair Broadcasting are afraid of the BOYS and what they MIGHT ask Dan Petry!
  • No Peaches? No prob. Who better to talk about the death of Al Kaline than great buddy and teammate Denny McLain?
  • Been watching those MLB rebroadcasts of the ’68 Series? WE have too. Denny relives some of it with us.
  • Oh, and the Tigers’ legendary pitching opponent in that long-ago Fall Classic has some good news.
  • So the MLB is secretly planning a May start-up? REALLY? Bob wants to know WHICH “May” that is: 2022?
  • The battle rages on about Noah Syndergaard’s Tommy John. NECESSARY surgery or not? Denny SEEMS to change his tune.
  • So Melo thinks he would have won MULTIPLE NBA titles if the Pistons had drafted him?! Eli’s got some thoughts on THAT. 
  • A big makeover continues for Michigan basketball. Wuzzup with all THIS, Juwan?
  • The newest sports P.C. contro won’t go away. African-Americans ‘n Mississippuh? ALWAYS combustible.
  • No Mailbag last week? OUTRAGEOUS! It was NOT the fault of Eli, on his best behavior for a LONG one today
  • Those stories and much more right here.

Episode 129: Had Enough of the FL’s? Marc Spindler Has!

Marc Spindler in Detroit Lions uniform

They lack a lot of things.

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

  • What a comedian! What an entertainer! And ya say this guy MARC SPINDLER played a lotta FOOTBALL too?
  • Eli and Bob vow to stop discussing their differing positions on COVID-19. ELI quickly breaks it! Bob won’t.
  • When will sports start again? Bob THINKS he has an idea based upon a feature in the Detroit News.
  • He claims you’ll likely never see Tom Brady play for Tampa — or anybody else — ever again!
  • Tom Dempsey has died of COVID. What older Lions fan will EVER forget where he/she was for “The Field Goal?!” 
  • E-sports continue to thrive in the sports-less world and tempers are hot! NASCAR drivers “rage-quitting” over video games?
  • Seen the new HBO doc on cheating in college basketball? ELI’s all over it. Bob: BFD.
  • Here comes the P.C. Posse ridin’ in over them yonder hills! Mike Leach now in trouble for sharing an UN-P.C. meme.
  • Earth to Denny! Come in! Earth to Denny! We somehow LOSE MLB’s last 30-game winner in the middle of the show!
  • What could be worse than THAT? Well, how about a show where YOUR mailbag is unceremoniously DUMPED?!
  • We’ll explain what happened (no tears from Eli!) and have MUCH more for you 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 127: SO GREAT! SO What Happened?!

Drew Henson in U of M uniform holding a footback

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 126: Will the REAL Scotty Please Stand Up?!

Ken Dryden and Scotty Bowman

We have so many questions.

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

  • One of the GREAT goalies ever, Ken Dryden, joins us to discuss his new book on Scotty Bowman and more!
  • It’s Opening Day in MLB — NOT! No baseball, no toilet paper and Bob says no cereal either!
  • IF we have baseball again, could it go into late DECEMBER? Would they REALLY play 7-inning doubleheaders?
  • As usual, it’s Bob vs Eli & Denny on Coronavirus as millions of Americans now face economic DISASTER!
  • Mets star pitcher Noah Syndergaard needs Tommy John surgery. But NOW? Is this “essential” surgery?
  • Quick, what do Dick Egan and Rod Allen have in common? Denny: Dick WHO?
  • Thank goodness for all the Brady/Belichick news to keep us entertained! Tom joins an ex-FLs star.
  • And now another legendary Patriot is ALSO out, proving again that Bill Belichick doesn’t care WHO you are!
  • A listener is claiming WHAT about Eli? That story’s among those in YOUR weekly mailbag.
  • And it’s all coming up right here!