Martha Ford

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

Lary Sorensen

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 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 129: Had Enough of the FL’s? Marc Spindler Has!

Marc Spindler in Detroit Lions uniform

They lack a lot of things.

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

  • What a comedian! What an entertainer! And ya say this guy MARC SPINDLER played a lotta FOOTBALL too?
  • Eli and Bob vow to stop discussing their differing positions on COVID-19. ELI quickly breaks it! Bob won’t.
  • When will sports start again? Bob THINKS he has an idea based upon a feature in the Detroit News.
  • He claims you’ll likely never see Tom Brady play for Tampa — or anybody else — ever again!
  • Tom Dempsey has died of COVID. What older Lions fan will EVER forget where he/she was for “The Field Goal?!” 
  • E-sports continue to thrive in the sports-less world and tempers are hot! NASCAR drivers “rage-quitting” over video games?
  • Seen the new HBO doc on cheating in college basketball? ELI’s all over it. Bob: BFD.
  • Here comes the P.C. Posse ridin’ in over them yonder hills! Mike Leach now in trouble for sharing an UN-P.C. meme.
  • Earth to Denny! Come in! Earth to Denny! We somehow LOSE MLB’s last 30-game winner in the middle of the show!
  • What could be worse than THAT? Well, how about a show where YOUR mailbag is unceremoniously DUMPED?!
  • We’ll explain what happened (no tears from Eli!) and have MUCH more for you right here.


Episode 118: Haters Hate Mike Eruzione Now? WHY?

You can’t believe the calls I’ve had.

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

  • Team captain MIKE ERUZIONE joins us on the 40th anniversary of “The Miracle on Ice,” on the new MAGA controversy and more! 
  • Trevor Bauer tells HBO “Real Sports” WHAT? MLB pitchers are using PINE TAR on balls? Make Denny and Bob LAUGH!
  • Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson has a bad case of the “Tim Tebow Blues.” The boys scoff at THAT too.
  • The Astros are feeling the heat for their sign-stealing scandal — literally. Pitchers ARE hitting them now, but on purpose?
  • And what Tigers legend was responsible for a different sign-stealing scandal 60 years ago?
  • Eli tells us the comical story of Deontay Wilder and the REAL reason he just lost that big fight (yeah, RIGHT!).
  • The Spartans stage an impressive second-half comeback to beat Iowa as Izzo is chastened by one of his players.
  • A nice gesture by Juwan in hiring one U-M staffer who may be the best Michigan HS player you’ve likely never heard of.
  • Mercy, mercy me! Detroit-Mercy losing ON the court AND off now. But does anybody really care about the Titans anymore?
  • Stevie Y FINALLY lets us all in on The Plan. To celebrate, Denny heads to a HOCKEY GAME(?) with sponsor Luke Nowacki.
  • Eli salutes a great champion in retiring Maria Sharapova, PED scandal and all.
  • Free agency in big-time college sports is coming soon. Bob explains what a wild story THIS is gonna be!
  • And in the Mailbag segment, you DON’T “Knock the Rock. It’s all 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.

Episode 111: Winners and Losers From the SB? WE Start With Denny!

Fist holding dollar bills with 50 yard line on football field in background

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

  • WHAT?! Denny didn’t watch the Super Bowl?! Well, at least he LISTENED to it — so he joins our big wrap-up anyway.
  • And what SB wrap-up would be complete without discussing the commercials AND the PG-13 halftime show? 
  • The Pro Football HOF announced its five new members over the weekend. What about the guys who did NOT make it?
  • And here Bob was relieved because football was FINALLY over? Denny and Eli say, “guess again!”
  • Michigan State basketball goes down to an average team it should have beaten. Was ONE player responsible?
  • Michigan gets an important win WITH Zavier back. Why was he suspended? Don’t ask the feckless Detroit sports media.
  • So you’re unhappy playing for Juwan? Why not jump to Izzo instead — and be in the lineup the very next season?!
  • The Pathetic Pistons pissing off their own coach now — and let’s be real about Sunday’s win over Denver.
  • Ex-Tiger fan-favorite/great-guy Curtis Granderson calls it a career — probably two years too late.
  • And how would another ex-Tiger fan favorite have fared in the current era of baseball? Don’t make Denny laugh!
  • THAT story’s in YOUR Mailbag segment, PLUS criticism of our Kobe coverage and much more right here.

Episode 110: He Played in SIX Super Bowls?!

Mike Lodish in Buffalo Bills uniform

If it has to do with X’s and O’s, I know it all!

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

  • It’s Super Bowl time, gang. Detroiter Mike Lodish played in SIX of them! He joins the boys to discuss his life in football.
  • Richard Sherman wanted nothing to do with the FL’S and their money. Now the 49ers star is IN the Super Bowl.  
  • Predictions? Denny and Eli disagree. Our Brandon McAfee even picks the SB score! Bob either has no guts or is just SMART.
  • The Kobe Bryant death has exploded almost beyond belief, surprising Eli and Denny. Bob tells WHY the story’s so big.
  • Neon Deion has some harsh words for the MLB and NFL Halls of Fame — and he’s RIGHT.
  • Spencer Dinwiddie? Just another guy dealt away for nothing who returns to haunt the Pathetic Pistons.
  • HOW much jewelry did Airhead Allen have in the hotel room where it was stolen? WHAT?! Eli on crazy times with A.I.
  • Denny continues to dump on Michigan basketball! Bob wonders if Denny really knows what’s going on.
  • ANOTHER bonehead decision by the Empty Suits who run TV sports!
  • And ANOTHER “Thank you, Marvin Miller” story, plus YOUR mailbag as well as much more right here

Episode 102: Wanna BET, big shot? Then Hear THIS!

Sportsbook sign with people standing under it.

This will transform the gaming industry in Michigan.

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

  • Noted sports gambling attorney, Dan Wallach, is on the show to talk about LEGAL sports gambling for YOU.
  • Another humiliation for Jim Harbaugh in another big game. Is HE the problem with U-M football?
  • Eli and Denny do you a solid by picking the weekend’s NFL playoff winners. Go bet against ’em and clean up!
  • What, was Denny STONED today?! He took one of Eli’s “special” pills and may have just started a, uh, HIPPER life!
  • Coaches come and coaches go. Nevertheless, the FLs’ image took an even further beating after their latest firings.
  • Two major sports deaths this week. The boys discuss the life and times of both David Stern and Don Larson.
  • Is the Tigers’ top pitcher, Matthew Boyd, on his way out of Detroit? SHOULD he be?
  • Bob updates us on that U-D “showdown” at Gonzaga. The Zags finished as 33.5 point favorites! Did you bet it?
  • Meantime, it’s Michigan at Michigan State Sunday as Bob wonders whether Juwan will soon overtake Izzo
  • Those stories, the Wings, Pistons, the Mailbag and much more right here.

 

Episode 101: The Boys Go Back on Their Word — and WON’T Apologize!

Trevor Lawrence about to throw football from right hand.

Let me tell you, it’s not true.

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

  • We made a pact never to discuss politics or religion on our show. Thanks to CLEMSON, Eli, Denny and Bob BREAK it!  
  • The NFL wildcard games are set, so is college football’s national title game. Is Denny LOSING it? He damns LSU with faint praise!
  • Were you rooting, as ALL Big Ten fans SHOULD be, for Ohio State against Clemson? Many jealous M types weren’t!
  • How about the scintillating MSU/Wake Forest game? Following THAT snoozer, Mark Dantonio questions persist.
  • The FL’s humiliated, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the finale. Incredibly, one Lion is HAPPY. You won’t believe WHY!
  • New Year, Schmoo Year! Expect more of the same in 2020 from the Pathetic Pistons AND The Detroit Dead Wings.
  • Columbus coach John Tortorella has another meltdown, this time over ANOTHER bad official’s call. Had enough yet?
  • Michigan and Michigan State basketball clash this Sunday. Why on EARTH should M be without its best player?!
  • 2020 — the year of sports gambling? Noted expert, attorney Dan Wallach, is on our next show. If YOU gamble, don’t miss it!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and much more right here.

Episode 100: Two Old MLB Pitchers Agree: “Why, in OUR day …!”

Lary Sorenson in Brewers uniform

It’s the same thing. We just call it different stuff.

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

  • Ex-MLB star Lary Sorensen talks about MSU’s bowl game vs his Wake Forest team and WITH boyhood hero Denny about pitching.
  • Hey, dig this: it’s our 100th episode! Thanks to all our loyal listeners and sponsors who support us and help spread the word.
  • Eli ranks the top stories of 2019. Bob has to remind him of THE top one locally: all FOUR Detroit pro teams remain in the TOILET.
  • The “student-athletes” now have a new trick you may not know of: most of them don’t have to go to class anymore!
  • Wait’ll you hear why MSU’s Adam Gase is telling people that he doesn’t care about long-suffering fans of his New York Jets.
  • Can Marshawn Lynch really stage a comeback after being out a year? He should call ex-Spartan Le’Veon Bell and ask HIM.
  • Another humiliating FL’s season comes to a dismal end. We tell you how they have a chance to screw things up MORE.
  • Jeremy Roenick learns a hard lesson after (gasp!) calling a co-worker “beautiful:” Don’t EVER mess with the P.C. Posse!
  • Those stories, your weekly mailbag and much more right here.