Dave DeBusschere

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 158: SUPER-Sub Johnny Grubb!

Johnny Grubb batting

Everybody understood what our roles were.

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

  • 1984 Tigers hero JOHNNY GRUBB joins the boys on his long MLB career, playing for Sparky AND Duke Snider — and more!
  • What’s NEXT in this wacko P.C. world? One of the great powers in college basketball forced to change ITS nickname too?!
  • Chase Elliott has won the NASCAR All-Star Race before 20,000 REAL fans! Bob asks why the major sports can’t have fans too?
  • Would it help your enjoyment if ALL sports teams used fake crowd noise and fan cut-out figures in the seats? You GOT it!  
  • Is playing on the PGA Tour without fans EASIER? Denny says NO. Everybody in golf seems to say YES!
  • Excited about phenom Casey Mize pitching for Detroit this year? Denny sees a BIG potential problem for him already!
  • The NBA’s “Bubble” apparently has a big hole in it now — but only if you’re a hot 20-something young woman.
  • Eli has This Day in Sports which includes one of the worst collisions ever seen in baseball.
  • Those stories, You-Know-Who on the Hammond Organ in YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 140: The Greatest Legend in MLB HISTORY?!

Jim Abbott

The No-Hitter in Yankee Stadium was really special.

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

  • How did JIM ABBOTT do it?! Born without a right hand - yet became a star pitcher at U-M AND in MLB?! Jim joins the boys!
  • Sports are slowly coming back — but maybe not MLB. WAAYYY too many money issues, as we’ve reported previously.
  • So that begs the question: do people NEED sports or do MORE people HATE sports? Eli has some passionate thoughts on that.
  • But there’s plenty to do and watch without sports — as Denny found out during an impromptu stroll down Memory Lane!  
  • What about the NFL? Bob details a LOT of issues that may keep IT from opening too. No more TAILGATING?!
  • Not guilty! A judge has dismissed the charges from the Nassar Nightmare against former MSU President Lou Anna Simon.
  • Meanwhile, there’s surprising news about former Spartan star linebacker, the late Mike Labinjo.
  • Ohio State and Michigan SCARED of a football rival? MSU, Penn St and Wisconsin too? Not YET, at least, but maybe soon?
  • Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland (mercifully?) blown out of the Monday Night Football broadcast booth. NOW what?
  • Our producer Brand McAfee makes a SHOCKING confession about his childhood — and STILL can’t let go of it! 
  • YOUR Mailbag may now have a theme song! You, uh, might NOT want to hear it as warbled by DENNY McLAIN, though. 
  • Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

George Blaha

An incredible career that started very modestly.
It’s the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain, and Bob Page!

He’s known all over Michigan and the NBA. For 44 years the voice of the Pistons. GEORGE BLAHA joins us today!

  • Will there BE an NBA season? The NFL says IT’S starting on time but, oh, the problems they’ll have!
  • Bob asks how owners will pay the MILLIONS they owe on guaranteed contracts with few fans and lower ticket prices.
  • ESPN’s latest episodes of “The Last Dance” expose more anger between MJ and Isiah.
  • Vegas has pitched a plan to finish the seasons for the major sports leagues. The response? Deafening silence!
  • But the odds ARE out for the FLs’ 2020 season. About as encouraging as news of their LATEST blown top draft pick.
  • MSU and U-M’s odds on winning a national championship this year? Understandable in East Lansing, HUMILIATING in Ann Arbor!
  • Meanwhile, what did Bo and Canham know — and when did they know it? Eli’s U-M sources have a LOT to say on the subject!
  • “So, Miss, I don’t know how to put this, but, uh, there’s something I’d like to ask you about your, um, physical endowments. May I?”
  • Those stories, a BIG thanks to all of you who are donating to the show, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!


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 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 72: STILL Watching the NFL? A LOT of People Aren’t!

Meme of NFL referee throwing yellow flag

It’s Gotten To The Point Where There’s So Much Wrong With This League

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

  • Top NFL stars droppin’ like proverbial flies with no end in sight! Are YOU losing interest?
  • And how about ALL those penalties, horrible no-calls and other blown officials’ decisions? Had enough yet?
  • The FL’s DON’T choke — Michigan State DOES and makes it even worse with so much whining!
  • Eli says he now is hearing rumblings that Mark Dantonio may hang it up at the end of the season. 
  • Michigan was off Saturday but EASTERN Michigan was ON! What a win for coach Chris Creighton at Illinois! Can EMU keep him?
  • Chris Ilitch is HAPPY with the “progress” of the Toothless Tigers — despite 100+ losses and being the laughing stock of MLB?! 
  • Shades of Al Avila: looks like Gardy will be back next year — but why a contract extension NOW?
  • What? Dylan Larkin is NOT going to be the Wings’ captain? Eli thinks he understands the reason.
  • Those stories, more Denny Tales plus Eli under attack in our Mailbag (!) and much more — right here.