Nick Saban

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 171: “I BLEED Green and White!”

Lorenzo White in Spartans uniform

Lorenzo White…the former Spartan great.

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

  • Bo Jackson stole HIS Heisman! And so did Tim Brown! Ex-MSU superstar running back LORENZO WHITE is our guest!
  • Eli starts the show by admitting he’s depressed these days with the world SO messed up. Bob: Join the club.
  • The Tigers have found life again! They’re challenging for the playoffs. Denny is NOT impressed. Ditto with Casey Mize.
  • Is there life still left in the old man? Miggy smacks his 2,000th career hit as a Tiger and is having FUN again!
  • COVID-19 on the wane? The NBA now says it’s going to open its bubble to friends and family of the players.
  • Dustin Johnson really impresses Denny and Eli despite falling in a playoff Sunday to a miraculous putt.
  • One of the legends of college basketball has died. Bob’s not the only guy who had issues with John Thompson.
  • Excuse me, WHAT was that amazing pitching line on Denny McLain again?! Even HE can’t believe it.
  • Eli has “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got YOUR mailbag segment — and much more right here!

Episode 168: Tom Izzo: Coach of the PISTONS?!

Frank Izzo

I think he regrets not taking that job.

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

  • Eli’s on vacation so veteran sportscaster FRED HEUMANN joins us with some big opinions and stories!
  • Casey Mize makes his LONG-awaited MLB debut! MOST of us thought he did well. NOT Denny!
  • Al Avila says on a Friday that Mize and the other kids are NOT ready. By MONDAY they ARE?! Bob thinks he knows why.
  • Thom Brennaman commits the ultimate TV/radio sin: not so much WHAT he said, it’s the cardinal rule he FORGOT!
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a grand slam on a 3-0 count with his team up by SEVEN in the 8th inning — and the feces hits the fan!
  • The NFL is now considering a postseason “bubble” which has worked for the NBA and NHL.
  • Most of COLLEGE football is not going to play at all. Players, parents and one prominent medical expert are VERY unhappy.
  • A potentially GREAT Michigan O-lineman has already seen enough. HE’S heading to the pros!
  • One of the legal world’s greatest truisms: how much “justice” can you afford? In Robert Kraft’s case, a LOT!
  • Those stories, “This Day in Sports” — just for Denny McLain, YOUR mailbag 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 143: Drew Stanton’s LONG & WINDING Road

Drew Stanton in MSU uniform preparing a throw.

Things fell into place.

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

A GREAT career as an NFL quarterback wasted as a back-up? Don’t tell that to MSU’s DREW STANTON, our guest!  
  • Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for OUR freedoms as we observe Memorial Day.  
  • It’s a special day for another reason: Eli remembers the Ali/Sonny Liston rematch on its 55th anniversary!
  • Bob reminds SOME people (not naming any names from THIS show!) who Brad Keselowski IS and why he matters.
  • Did you like the Tiger/Phil/Brady/Peyton golf outing? Didn’t even bother to watch? No worries. Eli and Denny DID.
  • Philip Rivers has a new job waiting for him: HIGH SCHOOL head coach in Alabama. He should NOT ask Mike Singletary for advice!
  • Prez Mark Schlissel’s not worried about no fans at U-M games. He won’t ALLOW football if no students are on campus!
  • As the NBA plots restarting in Orlando, we pay tribute to the great Jerry Sloan who died this weekend, as did Eddie Sutton.
  • How bad is it for the Wings? They’re officially among the “Stigmatized Seven,” awful clubs that won’t be part of summer playoffs.
  • Racism in hockey? It’s been an issue for a long time and now another black ex-player has come forward with HIS tales of abuse.
  • Those stories, Eli bitching all through our Mailbag segment while YOU enjoy it — 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 115: Denny Deals — to KALINE and FREEHAN!

Denny McLain

I had a lot a fun pitching against those guys.

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

  • More on MSU’s Mel Mess! DENVER POST COLUMNIST SEAN KEELER joins the boys to discuss some hard feelings out west.
  • Two other top stories rage on as well: the Astros’ sign-stealing and Kobe’s tragic death.
  • MSU basketball’s problems continue and now Eli wonders how a certain Spartan star makes money for his young family.
  • He’s RICH, one HELLUVA college basketball coach and a really good guy. So why are many feeling sorry for John Beilein?
  • Michigan roundball’s going well again — but how ’bout them Wolverines on the DIAMOND!
  • Baseball’s Tony Fernandez is dead at 57. What a career he had, as older Tigers fans certainly remember.
  • Denny’s memory is indeed clear! Bob confirms his tales of trouble with Boog Powell. Whom did Denny OWN?
  • Minor League baseball players got a raise. Eli and Denny debate whether the bump is enough.
  • Bob calls out Jeff Blashill and the Wings — AGAIN. Simply put: no guts, no glory.
  • In YOUR Mailbag, producer Brandon McAfee is a HERO. He MUST be for putting up with US! Those stories and more right here

 

Episode 104: A GREAT Spartan Remembered by One of His Top Stars

One of the great athletes that played for George Perles

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

  • MSU coach, A.D. and Trustee George Perles has passed away. One of his finest players, Todd Krumm, joins us to reminisce.
  • MORE trouble for John Beilein, now from a Cavs team meeting! Bob: WHY did John leave U-M?! Cut bait on a BAD hire!
  • Eli, meanwhile, is not too thrilled with Carolina coach Roy Williams — who is NOT too thrilled with his roster.
  • Is he gonna stay or go?! Time for the Pathetic Pistons to DO something about Andre Drummond. 
  • And that’s only one of their many problems: Blake Griffin’s latest injury may end his career. Eli to Tom Gores: Sell the team!
  • A respected baseball site says starting pitchers Casey Mize and Matt Manning are the Tigers’ top prospects. So PITCH ’em!
  • We lay out the NFL playoff match-ups with times and weather forecasts AND lay out the latest coaching hires.
  • Is this what it’s come to for one of the great franchises in sports: few in Michigan even CARE about the Wings anymore?!
  • That story on YOUR mailbag, PLUS Denny meets Dizzy, a shout-out to the Toledo police force and 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.