Al Avila

Episode 177: “Matt Patricia Looks Done Already”

Matt Patricia

Fans don’t even know what to say anymore.

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

  • Bob Page had some technical difficulties this morning, so he’s taking the day off.
  • The Detroit Lions have dropped their 11th straight game.
  • Eli rolls through every Lions coach since the 1970’s. How many more losses until Matt Patricia is FINALLY fired? Peter King says is look DONE.
  • The NFL ratings are way down and despite the reasons we laid out last week, Eli believes that the games have lost legitimacy.
  • Some MAJOR injuries in Week 2 include Saquon Barkley, Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Drew Lock and others.
  • Fred Heumann joins us mid-show to rip the Lions a little bit more.
  • The guys show some
  • Ron Gardenhire has stepped down as manager of the Tigers. Who will be the next coach? The boys argue that the team won’t go anywhere until Miguel Cabrera is gone.
  • Justin Verlander may be finished as he is to undergo Tommy John surgery. Denny sees some light at the end of the tunnel.
  • ANOTHER sports guy is in trouble for criticizing ESPN’s Maria Taylor. This time, because she left Anthony Davis off the 1st, 2nd and 3rd All-NBA Teams.
  • Bryson DeChambeau destroyed the competition at the U.S. Open. We debate his unconventional play.
  • Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” the mailbag gets praise… on the mailbag, and much more right here!

Episode 172: Shep: LIVIN’ THE DREAM!

Matt Shepard

It’s a blast…every single day.

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

  • So how do you get to be an MLB play-by-play announcer? Guest MATT SHEPARD had a VERY unusual path to the Tigers!
  • The sports world mourns the death of one of the greatest pitchers ever. The boys reminisce on Tom Terrific.
  • The Tigers’ win streak ended at six. With five games against the Twins now on tap, is this the season’s telling point?
  • Looks like Eli’s suddenly started to watch the NBA playoffs. He did NOT like what he saw from one game in particular.
  • Bob on the NHL Playoffs: Is the great Zdeno Chara finally finished at 43 — or just finished in Boston?
  • Get ready, gamblers! Denny has his pick on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby for you — NOT! 
  • Legal sports gambling rages on. Denny updates us on what the Cubs are doing — and WHAT’S that about MJ?!
  • Big Ten(14!) football after all? President Trump will want to take credit IF that occurs — but would he deserve to?
  • MSU’s Kirk Cousins raked over the coals by the media for his ideas about COVID-19! Denny and Eli to the rescue.
  • How much would YOU pay for a presence at FL’s games? “ZERO?” Producer Brandon McAfee sez $100 but he does have limits.
  • Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 171: “I BLEED Green and White!”

Lorenzo White in Spartans uniform

Lorenzo White…the former Spartan great.

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

  • Bo Jackson stole HIS Heisman! And so did Tim Brown! Ex-MSU superstar running back LORENZO WHITE is our guest!
  • Eli starts the show by admitting he’s depressed these days with the world SO messed up. Bob: Join the club.
  • The Tigers have found life again! They’re challenging for the playoffs. Denny is NOT impressed. Ditto with Casey Mize.
  • Is there life still left in the old man? Miggy smacks his 2,000th career hit as a Tiger and is having FUN again!
  • COVID-19 on the wane? The NBA now says it’s going to open its bubble to friends and family of the players.
  • Dustin Johnson really impresses Denny and Eli despite falling in a playoff Sunday to a miraculous putt.
  • One of the legends of college basketball has died. Bob’s not the only guy who had issues with John Thompson.
  • Excuse me, WHAT was that amazing pitching line on Denny McLain again?! Even HE can’t believe it.
  • 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?!

Frank Izzo

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 167: SO Many Good Questions for RICH STRENGER!

Rich Strenger

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 166: DICKIE V is BACK, Baybee: a TRUE “PTP-ah!”

Dick Vitale

Big fella, give us some hope!

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

  • DICK VITALE joins the boys again for A LOTTA laughs and memories. The REASON he’s back couldn’t be more serious.
  • As expected, The Big Ten (14!) has canceled its upcoming football season. Perhaps UNexpected? HUGE pushback!
  • U-M football star, NFL Pro Bowler, Hollywood actor! Now the amazing life of Dwight Hicks takes a different turn.
  • The Tigers are in playoff contention, or at least WERE before a spate of injuries. Is it time NOW to call up the kids?
  • Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer has a strange match-up in the White Sox’ lineup. Think Denny versus Bill Freehan!
  • Astros hitting coach Alex Cintrón suspended twenty games(!) for his role in a big brawl. What did he say that was so BAD?
  • A SIX-HOUR NHL playoff game with a goalie making HOW MANY saves?! Tampa eventually beat Columbus.
  • But the NY Rangers had a much bigger win: the Alexis Lafrenière sweepstakes. OUTRAGE in hockey circles follows!
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag — and we’ve got much more right here!

Episode 162: Former Pistons Star Makes REAL Good!

John Mengelt in Pistons uniform

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 161: Best Guest We’ve EVER Had? YOU decide.

Stanley Edwards

Some guests, you don’t know what to expect!

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

  • “No Filter?” Wait til you hear STAN EDWARDS on his career at U-M, on BO, son Braylon, the M sex scandal and MORE!!!
  • MLB’s Miami Marlins call off their opener with too many guys testing poz for COVID-19! Is this just the beginning?
  • Good weekend for the Tigers in Cincy. But it WAS just ONE weekend, despite the overreaction of announcers and reporters!
  • What did YOU think of the MLB games? Obviously BIZARRE — but did you enjoy watching them — IF you watched? 
  • FIRST thing ya learn at umpire school? LAST guy to really know the rules of baseball is a PLAYER! Bob and Denny go at it.
  • JV is OUT for a period of time. In such a short season has this already doomed the Astros now with no Gerrit Cole either?
  • On vaca, Eli was NOT happy about our last show OR our guest. He challenges Denny and Bob on damn near everything!
  • Another embarrassment for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football. How could they let THIS recruit get away?!
  • “The Washington Football Team?” “The Seattle KRAKEN?” What, indeed, is in a name?
  • This Day in Sports History, YOUR Mailbag, plus lots more right here!

Episode 160: 50 YEARS in Detroit Sportscasting!

Ron Cameron

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 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!