Dylan Larkin

Episode 211: Denny and The Hammer

Welcome to No Filter Sports Podcast with Bob Page and Denny McLain!

  • Super Bowl LV is set: Tom Brady VERSUS — “the greatest quarterback ever?” At least according to Denny! 
  • Matthew Stafford is OUT as Lions quarterback. Good for MATT! But what now? Is SHEILA really gonna make the call?!
  • Who better to comment on the death of the great HANK AARON than a former Braves teammate named DENNY McLAIN?
  • But Denny reveals a shocker from that era when asked if he and Hank ever had a few pops together out on the town.
  • Are the Wings dead — already?! They sure played dead in Chicago over the weekend.
  • Sunday’s loss saw the debut of ex-coach Mike Babcock in-studio on NBC Sports. Bob rips NBC’s Empty Suits a new one!
  • Sure was great to see the storied Wings-Black Hawks rivalry renew. Wait’ll ya hear THIS story about Stu vs. Probie!
  • U-M basketball WAS rolling but now has to sit down for TWO WEEKS — a victim of its OWN administration.
  • C.Y.A. (“Cover Your Ass”) may be a military term, but it sure looks like Jim Harbaugh is buying into it.
  • The Tigers’ Al Avila keeps buying into his own, as Bob puts it, “Bum of the Month Club.” 
  • Mercy, mercy, ME — still another black eye for a once-proud athletic department which USED to be just “The U-D!”
  • In YOUR mailbag segment, a listener turns the tables on Denny: “So, did YOU ‘ever think about coaching?'” 
  • Those stories, Brandon on The Big Fight, Mr. McLain back on the appearance circuit — and much more right here!

Episode 208: POLARIZING Sports Figures? WE got ‘EM!!

Welcome to the latest No Filter Sports Podcast with Bob Page and Denny McLain!

  • “How to be Miserable on $39 Million a Year.” If that’s not the title of JAMES HARDEN’s book someday, it SHOULD be!
  • The NBA’s chief malcontent engineers his own trade. Now he gets to play with K.D. AND the NBA’s chief knucklehead.
  • So many games canceled, so many Draconian new rules leave one NBA player asking, “Why even bother?” 
  • COVID comes to Michigan sports as the Pistons miss out on another loss and MSU misses out on a likely butt-kicking!
  • “Butt-kicking?” Is there a term that goes beyond that? If so, you’d use it to describe the U of M’s ROUT of Wisconsin.
  • College football: The boys offer some thoughts on Monday night’s national title game in our first show since then.
  • Get ready to clean up because Denny’s gonna make his NFL playoff predictions. YOU’LL bet the other way, of course!
  • URBAN MEYER leaving his cushy broadcast gig and moving to the NFL? Bob has only one question: WHY?!
  • The Wings finally have a formal team leader, yet ESPN says the more things change, the more they …
  • A BIG change for former Red Wings coach MIKE BABCOCK, but can this career shift possibly end well for him?
  • And on a show that NEVER pulls any punches, why should WE change now on GIBBY or on FRANK BECKMANN?
  • Those stories, Bob with perhaps the strangest story in Detroit Tigers history, YOUR mailbag and more right here!

Episode 176: D Mac: Amazing Story, GREAT Interview!

Daren McCarty

I bleed red and white. 

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

  • “The game’s too fast. I don’t think I could’ve played now.” One of the most popular players in Wings’ history, guest DARREN McCARTY, has a LOT to say with us!
  • Guest HOST Fred Heumann has covered The Big Ten(14) for many years so HE has a lot to say about conference football suddenly — huh? — being back ON now?
  • Michigan QB Dylan McCaffrey is just the latest college player to opt out of the season. But the boys agree: this AIN’T about COVID-19.
  • With a near-certain loss at Green Bay Sunday, Bob takes a peek at the FLs’ schedule and MAY yet get Denny to flip-flop on a coaching change.
  • Yep, Mr. Heumann should fit right in with THIS show. Wait’ll you hear him utterly DESTROY Matt Patricia!
  • So, are we watching football games on TV — or oh-so-hot young women hosting a fashion show?! Shame on gals like Maria Taylor? No. Shame on The Empty Suits.
  • Eek! Oh, NO! It’s (gulp) those big bullies, the Cleveland Indians, licking their chops over the Tigers series this weekend — but all is NOT lost for the future.
  • Ever researched why those famous figures are on the front of “Sgt Peppers?” How about also researching why DIFFERENT famous figures are now “seated” at Comerica?
  • Bob gets us up to speed on the NBA and NHL playoffs. Denny responds to him, “Who cares?! NOBODY’S gonna watch!”
  • The U.S. Open is underway — right after the U.S. Open just ENDED Sunday! This time it’s GOLF. Denny, ahem, claims to have nearly tamed fabled Winged Foot.
  • With Eli off, we’ll save his “This Day in Sports” for Monday’s show, but Bob’s got YOUR mailbag and WE’VE got much more — right here.

Episode 116: Leave It To — BEEZER!

John Vanbiesbrouck's Florida Panther jersey

That’s the way he rolls.

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

  • One of the greatest hockey names in Michigan history, long-time NHL goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, is our guest!
  • There’s WHAT Saturday night? Eli laments that a World Heavyweight Boxing Championship is just not a big deal anymore. 
  • U-M basketball comes up with an impressive and important win at Rutgers — without Isaiah Livers.
  • It’s official. Ex-Michigan coach John Beilein is out as head coach of the Cadaverliers. Eli’s seen THIS movie before.
  • Denny comes up with a GREAT suggestion on how MLB should punish the Astros!
  • Could Giancarlo Stanton really have hit 80 homers in 2017 if HE had cheated too? Denny says NO WAY! Bob says WAY! .
  • Aubrey Huff’s idiotic Tweets have cost him an invite to the reunion of the Giants’ 2010 World Series champions. But is it right?
  • And the hits just keep on comin’! STILL more trouble for MSU football and its former head coach Mark Dantonio.
  • Meanwhile, Michigan football now has its OWN scandal going on and Eli knew the creep who was responsible for it all.
  • NASCAR’s Ryan Newman almost DIES at Daytona, Alan Trammell COULD have in a snowmobile crash! Bob doesn’t get the “need for speed.”
  • What Piston just hit the NBA Lottery? That story, “Piggy” comes to YOUR mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 105: FOOTBALL? Where Do We START Today?!

Lamar Jackson playing football

Let’s not start there…

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

  • Not embarrassed ENOUGH yet, Spartan Nation? Bob unloads on his alma mater after a Detroit News expose on MSU football.
  • He, uh, is none too happy with MSU basketball’s humiliating display at Purdue either.
  • The boys recap a WILD Sunday in the NFL playoffs and get into a near screaming match about Saturday night’s game!
  • ESPN wants to steal Tony Romo, Eli and Russell Wilson, a Dearborn PIONEER, a former “student-athlete” speaks — or TRIES to!
  • SO many football stories and, oh, btw, there ALSO is the matter of a little football game being played Monday night.
  • Sir Charles himself to the rescue of John Beilein, though nobody could quite rescue John’s ex-team on Sunday.
  • The P.C. Posse riding herd over sports too. When do nicknames, logos and mascots NEED to be changed? And when NOT?
  • What was it like to actually go to a game at the legendary shrines of The Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field? ELI knows firsthand!
  • And what was it like to know a man who broke into MLB in 1909 — with the Brooklyn SUPERBAS?! DENNY has that answer!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 103: Cash ‘n Cousins: MSU WOWS on the Weekend!

Cassius Winston and Kirk Cousins

They’re young men, and they get excited.

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

  • Don’t you worry, gang — it’s baaaaack! Though YOUR weekly mailbag never actually went away.
  • NFL Playoffs? SO much to talk about from “Private” Kirk to Brady & Brees failing to — what else? — controversial officiating.
  • Off the field Jerry finally makes a decision to bleep or get off the pot! Could Lions legend Joe Schmidt have coached for him?
  • U-M loses two more KEY players though they’re may not be ready for the NFL. A sign of unhappiness with Harbaugh?
  • Michigan State humiliates Michigan AGAIN. Eli’s already asking, “Is Juwan too nice a guy?” Bob: “Just you WAIT!”
  • The Pathetic Pistons reach a new nadir: TWENTY of their shots blocked in a single game! 
  • The PP’s are still not as awful as the Red Wings, who’ve now lost 20 of their last 23! Bob has a FULL report.
  • Yet Denny argues from experience that the young Wings will NOT be ruined by this horrendous losing.
  • Oh — and he’s really not happy about the cancellation of TigerFest this winter! 
  • Those stories and much more coming up right here!

EPISODE 89: Has John Wangler got Great Stories? You Betcha!!!

I have no regrets…and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Welcome to No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain and Bob Page!

  • Former U-M star QB John Wangler was an MSU FAN?! Bo told him WHAT?! You HAVE to hear this interview!
  • Bob also grills Wangs on Ohio State’s domination AND MSU’s domination of Michigan.
  • Meanwhile, Denny thinks the Spartans have a puncher’s chance Saturday in Ann Arbor. Bob does NOT!
  • With 11 wins (!) de Grom cops his second straight Cy Young. You-know-who has some words to say about THAT too!
  • The Astros caught in another sign-stealing scandal and Eli is furious! But isn’t this just part of baseball? 
  • Colin Kaepernick is working out for NFL teams this weekend. Will the FL’s grab him? Will anyone?
  • Eli had some inside gambler’s info on Tuesday’s Pistons/Heat game and tipped off Denny! How’d it work out?
  • Will Myles Powell play against MSU Thursday or not? Did Seton Hall LIE about his status?
  • The Don Cherry fallout is stronger than ever! What does HNIC do now?
  • Those stories, a big development in Eli’s chicken sandwich report, YOU on our mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 86: Bobby Hull: It Was the Biggest Disappointment of My Life

Bobby Hull in Blackhawks uniform

Something happened that those of us who saw it will never, ever forget.

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

  • The Golden Jet himself, Bobby Hull, joins the boys to discuss his amazing life in hockey, rivalries with Howe and other all-time greats and much MORE!
  • If it’s Monday it must be time for “Bob Page’s Lions Lament!” Bob sez, “Ya know, the FL’s coulda won that game at Oakland and they SHOULDA … and they WOULDA …!”
  • Now that woeful Maryland’s been disposed of, the FUN starts for Michigan: Michigan State and Ohio State are in clear view up the road.
  • NO fun for MSU these days, though. What ELSE can go wrong, you ask? Spartan fans already KNOW the answer.
  • So, from now on it’s all about Michigan State BASKETBALL as the top-ranked team in America readies for #2 Kentucky!
  • Does Tom Izzo’s 5-8 son Steven (1.5 points per game in high school) really deserve a spot on the Spartans’ roster? Eli and Denny say “NO!”.
  • Stephen Strasburg decides to opt out of his contract with a World Championship team — to make even HUGER bucks.
  • “What does a guy have to do to get fired around here?!” Will Red Wings’ coach Jeff Blashill soon learn the painful answer?
  • The Pistons are holding their own — thanks to the great play of Andre Drummond. But what happens when he LEAVES after this season?
  • Those stories, RIP Al Bianchi, we feature YOU on our weekly mailbag and look ahead at our next show with Tiger great Alan Trammell — right here!

Episode 79: Comin’ Up ROSE-y as Charlie Hustle Joins the Boys!

The Hit King Joins No Filter Sports

Welcome to No Filter Sports Podcast with Eli Zaret, Denny McLain and Bob Page!

  • PETE ROSE with us for a frank and wide-ranging interview — but one of his predictions sure was a stinker!
  • Bob’s in Detroit and went to see LCA, the Wings, Pistons AND to learn who’s listening to us — and who’s not YET.
  • Wild stuff in MLB’s Playoffs! WE bust it down and Denny busts it UP by slamming a NUMBER of participants!
  • More P.C. insanity in sports, from the Braves wussing out to SOME NBA-types following suit!
  • With another college football weekend here, MSU’s problems are more OFF the field than ON at Wisconsin.
  • Should Michigan revamp its offense for mere Illinois or WAIT for the Penn State game? We have a DISAGREEMENT here.
  • Meanwhile, a different kind of controversy’s going on in Happy Valley. The coach handles it; Eli and Bob are STILL pissed!
  • It’s the Mystics versus the Sun for all the marbles tonight! Uh, WHO? And for what “marbles?” 
  • And Denny was working WHERE? Doing WHAT?! Those stories and much more coming up 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.