Tag: Magic Johnson | No Filter Sports

Episode 183: What a Magical Time it Was!

October 12, 2020 01:30:36

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 178: Welcome, Lary! THIS is How We Roll!

September 25, 2020 01:26:20

Good luck?!

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

Ex-MLB and U-M pitcher Lary Sorensen will have a role in many of our future shows. Did HE get an earful today as the boys fuss and FEUD!
First — a fiery exchange over new Lions’ boss Sheila Ford Hamp. As usual, it’s Eli and Denny vs. Bob with “let’s give her a chance!” vs. “what a joke!”
Then later, a REALLY “fiery exchange” between Denny and Bob over baseball!
Denny also continues to insist the FL’s will NOT fire Matt Patricia this year. Eli: hold the phone on that one with an 0-4 start looming.
The legendary Gale Sayers passed away this week at 77. Was he the first great BLACK halfback ever?
Sayers was arguably THE greatest running back PERIOD. So, who was MLB’s greatest starting pitcher? Bob says only that nobody’s ever been BETTER than de Grom.
With the Tigers’ season essentially over for some time, what to do about Miggy SUDDENLY looking like MIGGY again?
A listener wonders where on EARTH Denny got his “scoop” that the Tigers would name Lance Parrish to replace Gardy?
Get ready for a whopping 16 teams in the MLB playoffs — permanently — or even more! Ya like that idea?
Since Denny has ZERO interest in hockey, that must mean none of YOU cares about hockey — right? Bob still pays tribute to two famous Michigan hockey products.
Eli has “This Day in Sports History” then wages another battle with Bob over YOUR Mailbag. WHEW! What a DAY! Those stories and more right here. Be ready!

Episode 164: The Amazing Baseball Odyssey of Jim Essian

August 6, 2020 01:31:06

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 156: Darn Right: He IS “THE MAN!” He’s Tom Izzo!

July 9, 2020 01:21:27

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

Hall of Fame, national title, even unofficial Mayor of Lansing. TOM IZZO joins us on his great career, COVID-19 and MORE!

After all MSU’s star recruits of late the question is if there’ll BE a basketball season this year. Or any OTHER season?!
Bob MAY be coming around to watching sports without fans — but still gives us an example of how it’ll suck anyway.
What’s left of The Palace of Auburn Hills to be torn down Saturday. Eli reflects on his many years covering the Pistons there.
“Children should be seen and not heard.” Two idiots in sports show us that some JOCKS should be seen and not heard!
When he’s not busy slamming the U.S. Colin Kaepernick likes it here just fine, thank you. The dough’s ROLLING in!
More pressure on the Redskins and Indians to change their nicknames, but the Blackhawks join the Braves in saying NO.
Ex-Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is moving to Nashville in an attempt to bring MLB there. Denny LOVES it.
Eli has This Day in Sports, Bob has YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 146: Campy Russell: An American Success Story

June 4, 2020 01:41:21

What a career!

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

The boys welcome ex-Michigan and NBA star CAMPY RUSSELL to the show, who says the NBA’S “show” MUST go on!
As if COVID-19 weren’t enough of an issue, society’s racial unrest is suddenly tearing apart the sports world.
The controversy’s also caused a long-time NBA announcer to lose his job while one NFL coach is trying to hang on to HIS.
And will a Florida State football star lose his spot on the team after publicly calling his head coach a — WHAT?!
The MLB season is in serious jeopardy over the usual millionaires vs billionaires squabble. DENNY sets a deadline!
The NBA and the NHL WILL return — but at this point, how many people even care anymore?
And how many brave souls would turn out in the brutal South Florida summer to watch Major League SOCCER?
Eli talks with former guest, attorney DAN WALLACH, then says Duke’s Zion scandal will NOT be a big problem. Bob’s not sure!
Denny asks why it seems like SO many sports figures are now dying. Wes Unseld, Pat Dye and Johnny Majors just this week.
Lenny Dykstra has lost a defamation lawsuit against an ex-Mets teammate. Why? TRY to stifle your laughter.
And YOUR mailbag segment NOW has nearly sent Eli into apoplexy. Those stories and much more right here!

Episode 138: NOLAN and FRANK — Oh, MY!!!

May 7, 2020 01:25:26

The best 1-2 punch since Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.

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

From booze and broads in L.A. to “rebirth” in his hometown, Detroit’s own FRANK TANANA is our guest!
As they used to say: VCR ALERT!!! A THREE-HOUR TV special JUST on the new NFL sked! (Yippee)
There ARE certain pro sports underway in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Desperate enough yet to watch them?
Michigan and Michigan State football: Who needs EITHER? — as one famous coach seems to be implying.
Eli has more on the sex abuse scandal at U-M. A listener asks, “How is a ‘retired’ sports reporter scooping the CURRENT media?!”
Pete Rose selfish and reckless for still signing at sport shows? Bob says “B.S.!” Pete corked his bats? DENNY says “BFD!”
Eli has a confession: he actually listens to local sports radio “guy-talk!” But he still makes fun of it.
NBA issues: WHEN it returns there may be a big drop-off in play AND is K.D. still paid $$$$ if his Nets are not ALLOWED to play?
Will ESPN’s “Last Dance” NEVER end?! NOW we go from EVERYONE hating on Isiah to Sir Charles and M.J. hating on each other.
Bob details how and why Giants quarterback Phil Simms said an emphatic “NO!” to playing golf with Michael.
Eli said “YES!” to HIS golf game with comedian Tim Allen. THOSE stories, YOUR mailbag and much more right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

May 4, 2020 01:33:03

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!

April 30, 2020 01:35:29

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!

April 23, 2020 01:20:09

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.

Horizontal split screen with Arnie Kander on top, NHL player Craig Wolanin on bottom

Episode 133: As Ernie Said: TWO for the Price of ONE!

April 20, 2020 1:17:49

All the leagues are trying to figure out how to get going again.

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

The Boys bring you TWO guests starting with longtime Pistons medical man Arnie Kander on COVID-19 and the NBA.
Then it’s Detroit’s own Craig Wolanin on coronavirus in the NHL AND his long career playing with/against some of the best ever!
Eli and Denny remain in self-quarantine. Others have had enough! Out and about now, demanding, “Why can’t we play GOLF?!”
College sports may be changing forever. Bob explains and tells of a bizarre suggestion by one of basketball’s top coaches.
Catch Episode 1 of ESPN’s “The Last Dance?” One thing the boys DO agree on: TEN episodes on the life of Michael Jordan?!
Everybody - but US - is filling space on TV/radio and the net with “best of” lists (yawn). We make this exception, though:
•DENNY is on CBS Sports’ list of the four greatest Tigers pitchers who ever lived! What if they’d had WHIP when HE pitched?
The Astros took their beating in the sign stealing scandal. Now the Sawx are front and center facing the same charges.
The state of the Red Wings? Awful - but maybe NOT as awful as you’d think based upon a big survey of Wings fans.
Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.