Cincinnati Reds

Episode 175: “Gee, Bill. How Come YOUR WS Ring Looks Different?”

Bill Scherrer

My finger is still green!

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

  • MLB’s version of Dickie V — WITHOUT the mic? THAT’S the equally “enthusiastic” BILL SCHERRER of the ’84 Tigers, our guest on the show!
  • Scherrer’s Chisox have destroyed any post-season hopes Detroit had. To make it worse, Denny continues to rip virtually everything about the Tigers!
  • By the way, Monday is the anniversary of Denny’s 30th victory of the 1968 season. Mr. McLain remembers — as WE remember too.
  • And that’s the only good news we have about the Detroit Tigers, tho one FAN thinks some COULD be on the way soon!
  • Is it September? Check. NFL season underway. Check. Is it Monday? Check. Then it must be time for the LATEST “Bob Page’s Lions Lament!”  
  • Brady bombs. Belichick blazes on — NOW with Cam Newton — in the same amazing way as ever: with OR without ANY player he’s had.  
  • A bigger story: Are all the BLM demonstrations and comments going to ruin PRO FOOTBALL as SOME feel they’ve ruined the NBA?
  • Bob is not the only one now DEMANDING to know why the wusses at The Big (14) Ten won’t allow football when almost everyone else IS!
  • How can this be? One “U.S. Open” ends. The other “U.S. Open” now BEGINS?! Just part of our Wacky World.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and we’ve got 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 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 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 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 139: The “Spaceman” — on EVERYTHING!

Bill Lee in Astronaut uniform

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 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.

Episode 114: Jason “Rooftop” Thompson: My Life in Baseball

Jason Thompson batting

The old guys call me Rooftop, the younger kids have no idea who I am!

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

  • JASON THOMPSON joins the boys who ask why Sparky got rid of him, what it was like to be part of “Birdmania” and much more!
  • Mel Tucker is the new MSU football coach. You say Michigan media people were SOFT on this story? WE will NOT be!
  • Ah, those “student-athletes.” Two football players banished from Ohio State over rape allegations!
  • Is MLB going to update its playoff format to 14 teams — and pick your OWN opponent?! Denny has an alternative.
  • The Astros’ sign-stealing is still making folks angry — and Denny’s even angrier about Pete Rose asking back in. 
  • Are the FL’s really going to trade Matthew Stafford? How much could they get for him at this point?
  • Eli says the Pistons are worth a BILLION dollars more than Tom Gores paid for them! Bob explains why he REALLY wanted the team.
  • “Screaming” Tom Izzo MAY have righted his sinking ship with a big win at Illinois.
  • But don’t blame Northwestern for losing to Michigan’s basketball team. The Mildcats do things the right way.
  • Those stories, Denny McLain, golf hustler as part of YOUR mailbag segment plus MORE right here.