Houston Astros

Episode 185: Role Model for Girls? Role Model for ALL!

Manon Rhéaume

She just happens to be a woman.

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

  • Wow, a WOMAN guest — our first one ever! And what better choice than hockey trailblazer Manon Rhéaume?
  • All the sturm und drang, all the controversy over MLB’s COVID-bastardized season — yet justice is done anyway.
  • After seeing the talent level of the playoff teams, now it’s Eli’s turn to be angry with Al Avila and the Tigers. 
  • Denny takes exception to the hot-dogging from some of the players. Bob doesn’t dig the fraternizing.
  • A win at Jax and now it’s on to the playoffs! Don’t SOME members of the media and Lions fans EVER learn? 
  • “Who the hell was YALE LARY?” The uneducated young generation scoffs. Bob gives ’em a MUCH-needed lesson.
  • And Eli gives the young an important black history lesson in his “This Day in Sports.”  
  • Big Ten(14) football is BACK! Could lowly Rutgers destroy Mel Tucker’s MSU debut? What if Harbaugh loses at Minnesota?
  • Take a bow mid-Michigan! Two of your native sons brought us Sunday night’s thrilling Game 7.
  • And from Michigan’s Thumb comes news of the retirement of one of broadcasting’s all-time greats. 
  • Those stories, Bob has YOUR mailbag segment and WE’VE got much more right here!

Episode 184: A Boyhood Baseball Card Come to LIFE!

He led the league in triples his rookie year!

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

  • A trash-talking softball player — in his 80’S?! THAT is ex-Tiger JAKE WOOD who still thanks baseball every day for his life
  • YOU’VE got nothing to do — right? So you’re obviously watching EIGHT HOURS of baseball every day — right?!
  • All those impressive young pitchers in the MLB Playoffs? Fred’s upset! He says the Tigers’ kids are NOT in the same league.
  • Meanwhile, still another new name’s in the hat to become Detroit’s latest manager. But how attractive really is the job?
  • Bob finally gets some company on the show: Fred joins him in walking sports’ COVID-19 tightrope!
  • Nick Saban is the latest big-name to fall victim — but HE’S ready to coach Bama versus Georgia Saturday night.
  • Ex-MSU All-American Le’Veon Bell already banished by the Jets. Fred knows him well. What IS this guy’s problem? 
  • The Big (14) hasn’t even started its delayed football season, yet here come Tom Izzo, Juwan Howard and basketball! 
  • It’s The Clash of the Titans Sunday in Jacksonville and Denny has some surprising news about the FL’s.
  • Yet it won’t be nearly as surprising as when he tells you the identity of his TRUE baseball idol.
  • Those stories, YOUR mailbag segment and much more right here!

Episode 183: What a Magical Time it Was!

Bruce Kimm at bat for Detroit Tigers

You never wanted to miss a game!

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

  • The Bird chirping for the Tigers and BRUCE KIMM behind the plate. Mark Fidrych’s personal catcher joins us!
  • Kaline, Brock, Seaver, Gibson — and now two MORE baseball immortals are gone: Whitey Ford and Joe Morgan.
  • LeBron says a championship is a championship — is still a championship. The boys say, “Not so fast!”
  • Bob cites abysmal TV ratings for the NBA Finals and wonders if the league will ever be the same.
  • Are you ready for some football — on TUESDAY nights too? Get used to it as COVID-19 postpones more games.
  • Ya say if the Lions lose to a miserable Jaguars team Sunday you wanna fire Matt Patricia? Who’s taking his place?
  • Stevie Y with another flurry of signings and the future looks bright! So Wings fans CLAIM, but will the honeymoon last? 
  • And Eli’s apoplectic over the LATEST cavalry charge by the mindless P.C. Posse.
  • “I traded a WHITE CAPTAIN for you!” highlights “This Day in Sports,” plus YOUR mailbag and much more — right here.
  • Eli has ‘”This Day in Sports,” Bob has YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 177: “Matt Patricia Looks Done Already”

Matt Patricia

Fans don’t even know what to say anymore.

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

  • Bob Page had some technical difficulties this morning, so he’s taking the day off.
  • The Detroit Lions have dropped their 11th straight game.
  • Eli rolls through every Lions coach since the 1970’s. How many more losses until Matt Patricia is FINALLY fired? Peter King says is look DONE.
  • The NFL ratings are way down and despite the reasons we laid out last week, Eli believes that the games have lost legitimacy.
  • Some MAJOR injuries in Week 2 include Saquon Barkley, Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Drew Lock and others.
  • Fred Heumann joins us mid-show to rip the Lions a little bit more.
  • The guys show some
  • Ron Gardenhire has stepped down as manager of the Tigers. Who will be the next coach? The boys argue that the team won’t go anywhere until Miguel Cabrera is gone.
  • Justin Verlander may be finished as he is to undergo Tommy John surgery. Denny sees some light at the end of the tunnel.
  • ANOTHER sports guy is in trouble for criticizing ESPN’s Maria Taylor. This time, because she left Anthony Davis off the 1st, 2nd and 3rd All-NBA Teams.
  • Bryson DeChambeau destroyed the competition at the U.S. Open. We debate his unconventional play.
  • Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” the mailbag gets praise… on the mailbag, and much more right here!

Episode 174: Doug English: a True LION on the Field

Doug English

One of the league’s true warriors.

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

  • He didn’t win a Super Bowl. No Detroit Lion ever has (or will?), but guest DOUG ENGLISH remains one of the most popular players in team history.
  • It’s opening week in the NFL. Coaches upset over no fans at their home games, the threat of BLM and National Anthem protests. What a kerfuffle already!
  • Oh, and Bob wonders what the league will do if/WHEN a player tests positive for COVID-19. Would they panic and cancel a game on a Sunday morning?!
  • Few teams have the long tradition of the Detroit Tigers. So when they set a new low for futility at Milwaukee THAT was really saying something!
  • Now what to do with struggling Matthew Boyd? Denny: TRADE HIM. But why wouldn’t the Tigers call Denny —  or Lolich or Tanana — to at least pick their brains?
  • Eli says the quality of the NBA Playoffs has been stellar, but Bob is among the pissed-off millions who haven’t watched a single game yet.
  • As if the NBA needed MORE controversy, the Stephen A. Smiths of the world cry (surprise!) “WHITE PRIVILEGE” over Steve Nash’s hiring.
  • The NHL Playoffs have been excellent too — for those few outside Dallas and Las Vegas who find the Stars vs the Knights in summertime compelling.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and much more right here!

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 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 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 159: Dombro’s NEWEST MLB Challenge

Dave Dombroski

Nashville!

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

  • What REALLY happened to DAVE DOMBROWSKI with the Tigers AND the Sawx? The long-time top MLB exec joins us!
  • Canada just says “NO” — to the U.S.! But if the Blue Jays can’t play at home does it matter — with no fans at games anyway?
  • What are MLB games like now without spectators? Bob reports on his Yankees-Mets experience of the weekend.
  • And the PGA Tour experience with no gallery? Eli says he loves golf so much it’s STILL good. Denny and Bob disagree.
  • Now, boys, BEHAVE!!! ANOTHER COVID-19 melee breaks out — but don’t worry, folks. We kept it short.
  • Ditto the latest from the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Eli suggests what they SHOULD have named it.
  • No young black man’s gonna “snitch” on other young black men murdering black men, yet the NBA now has a “snitch line!” 
  • Is the NFL REALLY going to play its violent, contact sport in the new NO-contact world of today?
  • What about college football? Even MORE, what about all the workers who make their livings from football games?
  • “HETEROsexual discrimination?” One of hockey’s biggest names is claiming just that in a new lawsuit!
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports” PLUS “This Day in NO FILTER SPORTS(?)” in YOUR mailbag — and much more!

Episode 150:  The TWO Comebacks of Ratso!

John Hiller in Detroit Tigers uniform

You’re going to do what’s called upon you.

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

  • Average pitcher. Heart attack at age 27! Then lights-out reliever — ex-Tigers star JOHN HILLER’s got GREAT stories!
  • Eli says Colin Kaepernick has gone from kryptonite to Man of the Year! NFL owners only wanna know if he can still PLAY.
  • With no fans allowed, the PGA Colonial had its best TV ratings in 16 years. But were folks THAT interested — or just BORED?
  • We run down some of the NBA’s RIDICULOUS COVID-19 rules for resuming its season in a bubble. 
  • And if THAT’s not comedy enough for you, Kyrie Irving wants to start his own competing PLAYER-owned league.
  • MLB players/owners continue to make a mockery of what Denny claims IS “our national pastime.” He gets big pushback on THAT!
  • And now the two GREEDY sides may at some point institute soccer-like advertising on uniforms?!
  • The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown will finally be run Saturday. Denny has a hot tip! Bob: CAVEAT EMPTOR!
  • Meanwhile, the insanity continues in society. Statues are coming down or vandalized from BOTH political sides.
  • Long-time MLB hurler Lary Sorensen writes us in YOUR Mailbag about ONE HOFer he used to EAT UP. (Hint: believe it or not, it was our most recent guest!). 
  • Those stories and much more right here!