Chicago Cubs

Episode 173: Detroit’s own Ernie Whitt: CANADIAN Sports God!

Ernie Whitt

I tricked them for a lot of years!

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

  • “I might be the best manager who was never hired.” Yet ERNIE WHITT had one helluva playing career with the Blue Jays. The Detroit native joins us!
  • One of the toughest opponents Denny’s Detroit Tigers ever faced has left us. Our thoughts on the passing of Lou Brock.
  • The Tigers lost their critical series at Minnesota, but the boys are still impressed by what they’ve seen from many of the youngsters.
  • College football is BACK! Well, ya know, KIND OF “back.” Is it getting too late for the Big Ten(14!) to try to play?
  • The NFL WILL play starting Thursday night! Bob wonders how much of a BLM demonstration there might be, on and off the field.
  • The Lions signed one of the most famous names in football: running back Adrian Peterson. But will it really help this sad-sack franchise?
  • Eli LOVES his playing but is underwhelmed by his apparent I.Q.! Dustin Johnson vying for (gulp!) $15 million at the PGA Tour Championship. 
  • Part of a wild Labor Day sports weekend: Novak Djokovic DQs himself from the US Open? Kirk Herbstreit weeping on TV?
  • Those stories, Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment 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 170: Oh, NO! The Grim Reaper COMETH!

Stu Grimson

Who was that man gone mad?!

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

  • A “reluctant warrior?” You’d never have known it from watching STU GRIMSON fight! “The Grim Reaper” is our guest!
  • Rioting across the country, violence, looting and SO many sports events canceled over a police shooting of a black man.
  • Famous black sportswriter Jason Whitlock has had enough, though. He calls LeBron a “bigot;” claims he’s promoting racism!
  • How to protest racial injustice, make a strong point —  but do it in a much better way? Bob says check out the NHL.
  • Casey Mize — so FAR? Meh. Denny has some advice for the Tigers’ rookie: you’ve got a fastball, kid. USE IT!
  • In this bastardized MLB season the ALL-STAR BREAK is now upon us! Well, at least its the mid-way point of the schedule.
  • Ex-MLB pitcher Lary Sorensen out of the University of Michigan tells Bob he too was “examined” by Dr. Robert Anderson.
  • So ya thought a TEN-PART series on Jordan was waaayy too long? Denny’s got a role in a new 20-part series on Mantle!
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment 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 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 163: MISTER MICHIGAN: Brandy himself!

Jim Brandstatter broadcasting for U of M

A very timely guest!

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

  • What did Bo know and when did he know it? Just one of MANY topics for us with U-M football voice JIM BRANDSTATTER!
  • So why would Bo allegedly allow sexual abuse by his own team doctor to go on? Eli’s sources have an explosive theory!
  • How could Michigan lose a five-star tackle from right under their noses? The kid’s own father wants to know that too.
  • Seven-inning games?! Eli’s so upset with MLB’s silliness he cries, “START THE DAMN GAME IN THE THIRD INNING THEN!”
  • And now MLB is one-sixth through its season. Not weird enough? As of Monday the Tigers would be in the playoffs!
  • Long-time sportscaster Jamie Samuelsen has died at just 48, joining a host of Detroit media members already gone too soon.
  • Denny’s got figures on the NFL players who’ve opted out of the season. Bob asks again, “didn’t anybody PLAN for this?”
  • The NBA is back! NHL too! Both leagues started off with showy Black Lives Matter displays. Has BLM gone too far now?
  • Bob with a bold prediction for Michigan State basketball, which just went through a VERY eventful week.
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports,” YOUR mailbag segment and much more coming up right here!

Episode 155: Dead Milkmen? Tinfoil WHAT? Ask Scott Lusader!

Scott Lusader at bat

He was a different cat, that’s for sure.

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

  • What a pair Jim Walewander and SCOTT LUSADER made as young Detroit Tigers! Scott joins us with HIS Baseball Journey.
  • Bryson DeChambeau bullied the Detroit Golf Club AND his fellow pros over the weekend. Will he change golf itself?
  • The Indians and Redskins are considering changing their names with the P.C. mob all over them. The boys take it on.
  • Now Florida’s “Gator Bait” cheer has been banned as “racist!” Seriously.
  • Yes, Black Lives DO Matter! But to whom? And now Bob’s predictions about white racists pushing back is coming true.
  • Are sports REALLY going to resume with so many MLB, NBA and NHL players dropping out over COVID fears?
  • “YAY! I’m the biggest, most disgusting SLOB in the entire world!” Did ya catch my act on ESPN?
  • Eli caught something else on the all-sports network: a concert by the Eagles! THIS is what sports programming’s come to?!
  • Mr. Z has This Day in Sports, Bob reports what YOU have to say in the mailbag segment and much more!
  • Oh, and be SURE to tune in next show too - tell all yer pals! - when MSU basketball coach TOM IZZO will be with us.

Episode 136: Dave Bing, THIS is YOUR Life!

Dave Bing

Let’s refresh some people’s memories.

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

  • DAVE BING could have been INFAMOUS in Detroit sports instead of one of its most BELOVED figures. The Mayor joins us today!
  • So ya wanted Denny’s big MLB “scoop” he promised recently but never delivered? We’ve got it NOW — from another source!
  • MORE lawsuits involving alleged sex abuse at Michigan State, this time a big one against the NCAA itself.
  • It’s official: college sports’ “student-athletes” are now finally allowed to make money on outside endeavors!
  • Looks like Shea Patterson WON’T be making any money in the NFL. Details of his stunning fall from grace.
  • Quick now, Denny: if’n NASCAR come back, which good ol’ boy gonna win the CO-Cola 600? Denny: UH, who’s IN it?
  • Further ugliness from the Bulls-Pistons rivalry being displayed on ESPN. WHAT is Isaiah NOW claiming?!
  • A listener takes exception to Eli’s comments about Ernie Harwell. Eli defends himself — and Bob riffs on “the meaning of Ernie.”
  • Stevie Y signs two top young Swedish goalies. If STEVIE likes ’em, WE like ’em too. After all, can we FULLY trust Bernier?
  • Listen up, all you single gals out there! Guess who’s being BOMBARDED on a dating service now? Hint: NOT Eli. NOT Bob.
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly Mailbag segment  - soon to be SPONSORED by YOU? - and much more 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 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.