Brooks Koepka

Episode 192: SO Close at Augusta — Yet SO FAR!

Dan Pohl golfing

Not to be!

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

  • It’s Masters week — in NOVEMBER! Ah, 2020. But we’ve got a GREAT guest to talk about it: Michigan’s own DAN POHL.
  • Was Danny the best golfer the state ever produced? With The Mitten’s weather, the list sure ain’t long but we’ll take a look.
  • Ohio State’s Urban Meyer as head coach of (gulp!) The University of MICHIGAN? Get outta here!
  • The 0-9 laughing stock New York Jets in the playoffs? Get outta here! The LIONS could still make it too.
  • Old pals Lary and Bob have a BIG, uh, “discussion” about MONEY in baseball.
  • J.T. Realmuto, George Springer and DJ LeMahieu have all REJECTED $18.9 million for 2021. Could any land in Detroit?
  • Chris Fetter HAS landed in Detroit as Tigers’ pitching coach. It’s Lary against his boyhood idol, Denny McLain, on THAT one. 
  • Could a student be admitted to the University of Michigan, let alone survive academically, without PERFECT English fluency?
  • That issue is part of a red-hot battle that may soon turn U-M vs MSU basketball into the NEW Duke-Carolina.
  • And a horrible tragedy in the sports world leads us to reexamine one of the wildest college bowl games ever played.
  • We’ve got those stories, YOUR mailbag and much for you — right here!

Episode 191: DOWN from “Mt. Rushmore” and ONTO Our Show!

Mike (Doc) Emrick

Congratulations on a career well lived.

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

  • The greatest hockey announcer EVER? Many say that about the personable MIKE “DOC” EMERICK, our guest today!
  • But who’s interviewin’ whom? Michigan resident Doc has plenty of questions for Denny about the ’68 Tigers.
  • Eli’s U-M sources report that it’s all over for Jim Harbaugh. The proverbial “mutual decision” to come at year’s end.
  • After the humiliation at Iowa, Bob asks why, among hundreds of coaches, MSU was so bent on hiring Mel Tucker.
  • State won’t get any help this week against Indiana — at least not from Eli, who’s jumpin’ on the Hoosier bandwagon!
  • How much will new manager A.J. Hinch mean to the Tigers — and what about his coaching hires of the weekend?
  • The Lions go belly-up again. Let the LATEST five-year rebuilding program begin! But with (gulp!) Sheila Hamp Ford guiding it?
  • The Masters in NOVEMBER? It starts this week! Eli and Denny guarantee the biggest current name in golf will NOT win.
  • And a Red Wings favorite says a classy good-bye with a thank-you note to Detroit and his home state.
  • Those stories, Eli has his “This Day in Sports History,” Bob has YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

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 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 165: Tigers Fan Fave Steve Kemp: What MIGHT Have Been.

Steve Kemp at bat

I was confident, but I wasn’t arrogant.

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

  • Just ONE hit away from Cooperstown? Maybe. One ACCIDENTAL “hit” in the EYE! STEVE KEMP joins the boys.
  • The Tigers were rolling after a sweep of the Pirates — despite the struggling Matt Boyd. Denny breaks down his problems.
  • Did MLB even consider this: can a team still go the playoffs if COVID-19 cancels a BIG part of its short season?
  • By the time you hear this show, college football may be canceled — at least until next spring
  • And programs will be so cash-strapped they’re now begging season ticket holders to donate anyway.
  • Another week, another big-time recruit escapes from right under Jim Harbaugh’s nose.
  • NOW Jimmy’s also upset his top rival who vows ugly REVENGE whenever Michigan and Ohio State do play!
  • Collin Morikawa wins the PGA Championship at 23 and the golf world has its LATEST “New Tiger!” But Bob has a reminder.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR Mailbag and — dig THIS: Denny invites ALL OF YOU over to his house!
  • Those stories and much more coming up right here!

Episode 164: The Amazing Baseball Odyssey of Jim Essian

Jim Essian wearing A's hat

Crisscrossing America for 17 years!

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

  • Just say “no” — to BO?! To ARA? To DUFFY?! How one of Detroit’s greatest all-around athletes, JIM ESSIAN, did it! 
  • The PGA Championship is underway! With NO fans —  AND with Eli asking a good question about two top stars.
  • While MLB is a mess, the NHL and NBA “bubbles” seem to be working. But hockey and basketball in AUGUST?  
  • And Bob sez, “C’mon, how much does ‘Black Lives Matter’ REALLY mean in the NHL?”
  • Imagine! College football players to coaches: “Here’s a list of demands or we’re not playin’!” THIS is happening NOW.
  • Why this CRAZY Big Ten schedule!? M v OSU in OCTOBER? Producers Brandon McAfee and Marc Fellhauer think THEY know. 
  • Kelly Stafford is furious at the NFL for Matt’s false-positive COVID test. Have OTHER testing mistakes been made?
  • Is our P.C. society SO nuts that a coach can’t even QUOTE someone dropping an “N-Bomb?” Black players USE it!
  • We MUST support local journalism in our free country. But Bob wonders how much we’re willing to PAY to do so.
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports,” a tribute to Denny in YOUR Mailbag — and much more right here!

Episode 152: Ah, the Life of an MLB Reliever!

Todd Jones

A closer is a really thankless job.

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

  • Guest TODD JONES pitched for EIGHT MLB teams, the Tigers TWICE! LOVED Detroit; doesn’t miss the pitching part.
  • So MLB IS coming back? Eli has a LONG list of all the changes that’ll be made. Fed-up Bob: Include ME out!
  • Denny says a change the TIGERS should make is to put Casey Mize & the other top kid pitchers in the rotation — right away.
  • The FL’s have a WHAT? A “new” owner? Roger Daltrey would say: “Meet the new boss — same as the old boss!” So would Bob.
  • As the boys duke it out over COVID-19 again, a “blame game” has now begun in sports: who gave it to whom?  
  • Should you HAVE to wear a mask for protection now? According to ONE U.S. county — only if you’re WHITE!
  • Playing career over, he had two job offers: vacuum cleaner salesman or entry position in hockey. Ken Holland chose right!
  • Read all about it! P.C. Posse Pummels PAW PAW! Local legend Charlie Maxwell, MR. Sunday Home Run, has yet to comment.
  • Those stories, YOUR mailbag and much more — right here!

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

Dennis Polonich playing hockey for Detroit Red Wings

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!

Episode 143: Drew Stanton’s LONG & WINDING Road

Drew Stanton in MSU uniform preparing a throw.

Things fell into place.

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

A GREAT career as an NFL quarterback wasted as a back-up? Don’t tell that to MSU’s DREW STANTON, our guest!  
  • Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for OUR freedoms as we observe Memorial Day.  
  • It’s a special day for another reason: Eli remembers the Ali/Sonny Liston rematch on its 55th anniversary!
  • Bob reminds SOME people (not naming any names from THIS show!) who Brad Keselowski IS and why he matters.
  • Did you like the Tiger/Phil/Brady/Peyton golf outing? Didn’t even bother to watch? No worries. Eli and Denny DID.
  • Philip Rivers has a new job waiting for him: HIGH SCHOOL head coach in Alabama. He should NOT ask Mike Singletary for advice!
  • Prez Mark Schlissel’s not worried about no fans at U-M games. He won’t ALLOW football if no students are on campus!
  • As the NBA plots restarting in Orlando, we pay tribute to the great Jerry Sloan who died this weekend, as did Eddie Sutton.
  • How bad is it for the Wings? They’re officially among the “Stigmatized Seven,” awful clubs that won’t be part of summer playoffs.
  • Racism in hockey? It’s been an issue for a long time and now another black ex-player has come forward with HIS tales of abuse.
  • Those stories, Eli bitching all through our Mailbag segment while YOU enjoy it — and much more right here!

Episode 122: “Panic at the DISCO?” Panic EVERYWHERE!!!

Group of medical face masks

It’s not panic. It’s called precaution.

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

  • The most famous AND controversial ump in MLB, COWBOY JOE WEST, joins us today with LOTSA great stories!
  • Stand by, ladies and gents, cuz ELI ZARET has a special announcement to make! Whether you’ll believe him is …
  • Help! Help! We’re ALL gonna DIE of Coronavirus! At least Eli and Denny seem to think so. BOB calls “bulls—!”
  • Sports betting is now legal and open for business in Michigan! Only problem is, there may not be any sports to bet on.  
  • First tennis, then college basketball tournaments, then the NBA and MORE! OMG, what will we DO without SPORTS?!
  • Um, spend more time with our loved ones and friends? (Gasp!) read BOOKS? Get off the couch and go work out?
  • The TPC is still on — as of THIS writing. Can slumping Brooks Koepka win? HE sez he’s gotten some VERY special help.
  • Tom Brady is launching a production company. Make Eli LAUGH! HE knows what a daunting thing that is to do.
  • Ex-MSU football assistant Curtis Blackwell is back with ANOTHER lawsuit, now alleging Mark Dantonio is a RACIST! Yeah, right.
  • Gronk to become WHAT? A pro wrestler for the WWE? Our resident expert, producer Brandon McAfee, is all over it! 
  • Those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here.