Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Episode 172: Shep: LIVIN’ THE DREAM!

Matt Shepard

It’s a blast…every single day.

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

  • So how do you get to be an MLB play-by-play announcer? Guest MATT SHEPARD had a VERY unusual path to the Tigers!
  • The sports world mourns the death of one of the greatest pitchers ever. The boys reminisce on Tom Terrific.
  • The Tigers’ win streak ended at six. With five games against the Twins now on tap, is this the season’s telling point?
  • Looks like Eli’s suddenly started to watch the NBA playoffs. He did NOT like what he saw from one game in particular.
  • Bob on the NHL Playoffs: Is the great Zdeno Chara finally finished at 43 — or just finished in Boston?
  • Get ready, gamblers! Denny has his pick on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby for you — NOT! 
  • Legal sports gambling rages on. Denny updates us on what the Cubs are doing — and WHAT’S that about MJ?!
  • Big Ten(14!) football after all? President Trump will want to take credit IF that occurs — but would he deserve to?
  • MSU’s Kirk Cousins raked over the coals by the media for his ideas about COVID-19! Denny and Eli to the rescue.
  • How much would YOU pay for a presence at FL’s games? “ZERO?” Producer Brandon McAfee sez $100 but he does have limits.
  • Eli with “This Day in Sports History,” Bob’s got 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 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 144: From the Ol’ Farm — to Scoring a Super Bowl TD!

Tom Nowatzke on trading card

The only Lion of that era to win a Super Bowl!

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

  • Our guest is the bruising fullback, TOM NOWATZKE, on his 1960’s Lions, Colts teammate Johnny U and MUCH MORE!
  • While pro sports leagues FIGHT during negotiations on when and how to start playing again, Eli and Bob repeat: go away til 2021.
  • No sports? No games to gamble on, no casinos to gamble IN! One way or another the city of Detroit may pay an awful price.
  • No football? Not only does Dolphins owner Stephen Ross say we WILL have an NFL season but he has unusual plans for his stadium.
  • Bob asks why Jim Harbaugh seemed so thrilled to recruit only a good, not great, player this week. Is it THAT bad in Ann Arbor now?
  • VERY different opinions among  the boys over golf and last Sunday’s “The Match.” If you watched it, you were NOT alone.
  • The Michigan House has passed a bill allowing college athletes to make extra money on the side — and Eli’s apoplectic!
  • From Denny: the legendary overseas boxing match he actually went to! And does his ex-catcher Jim Price really HATE him?!
  • The latter question comes from YOUR mailbag segment. We’ll have that and many other top stories right here!

Episode 137: The One and ONLY George Blaha!

George Blaha

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 120: A CANDID Tim McCormick Opens Up!

Black and white image of Tim McCormick in U of M basketball uniform

My real passion is broadcasting

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

  • Fed up with his LATEST sideline temper tantrum, MSU grad Bob rips Izzo a new one! Eli and Denny rip Bob right back.
  • Does every big college basketball team cheat? Eli and Denny actually believe that. Bob calls “B— s—!”
  • U-M’s OWN sex abuse scandal is growing larger — but c’mon, man! Can you actually compare it to MSU’s?
  • One of MLB’s top pitchers MIGHT be done at 30. Denny can relate — and says Chris Sale has nobody but himself to blame.
  • Are big league baseballs still messed up? Will Jacoby Jones EVER gain the stardom many predicted for him?
  • The Pistons coulda had Caris LeVert! Eli takes us through MANY bad decisions from the Pathetic Pistons’ recent past. 
  • Legal sports gambling IS coming to Michigan — but as early as NEXT WEEK? One reporter claims it’s true.
  • Knicks Nut Spike Lee is feuding with Madison Square Garden boss, James Dolan. Bob knows something about THIS!
  • Those stories, YOUR weekly mailbag and 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 96: Now, Now, Boys! Stop Fighting! Behave Yourselves!

Baseball covered in dollar bills with red stitching

Are you guys coming over to my side in this debate?!

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

  • Strasburg, Cole and Rendon sign deals worth $824,000,000!!! Eli and Denny: SO? Bob: What about the FANS?!
  • Great news! The Toothless Tigers are FINALLY ready to rebuild! So claims Al Avila. Do you trust him? Denny doesn’t.
  • Al also sez the Tigers’ venerable UNIFORMS will look different in 2020? HUH?! HOW?
  • What was that “award” Keith Olbermann used to give? The Worst Person in the World? Do Eli and Denny have a nominee for YOU!
  • Two of MSU’s biggest names clash! Resident BOWLING expert Denny says HE knows which side HE’S on.
  • Whatever happened to ex-Michigan coach Brady Hoke? Bob explains why they WON’T be holding any benefits for him.
  • Michigan basketball? Don’t say Bob didn’t warn you about that Illinois game on the ROAD, while he RIPS the U-D!
  • Meanwhile, John Beilein’s got major problems in Cleveland. Why on EARTH did he leave the U-M?
  • Megan Rapinoe awarded SI’s SportsPERSON of the year, then really pops off at the ceremony! Was she right?
  • Those stories, our weekly mailbag featuring YOUR thoughts and much more right here!

EPISODE 90: “Stand by Your Man?” MSU’s Keith Nichol DOES!

Keith Nichol in Michigan State Football Uniform

He’s done more for Michigan State football than anyone.

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

  • He produced arguably the greatest play in MSU history! That’s one reason why guest Keith Nichol is SO unhappy about The Game.
  • What a drubbing Michigan laid on Michigan State! Bob questions MSU’s second-half effort as the fallout rages on.
  • The FL’s choke another one away. Does Eli give too much credit to a local writer who FINALLY gets tough with them?
  • To make things even worse, Denny questions whether the oft-injured Matt Stafford will ever play again.
  • The “Colin Kaepernick Show” continued with a workout cum CIRCUS this weekend. The FL’S are down a QB … hmmm.
  • Former Tiger John Wockenfuss is battling dementia. He had a big role in the ’84 World Series — but wasn’t even on the team!
  • Ever hear of the 1983 movie “Tiger Town?” It’s back in the news and we’ll tell you why.
  • In YOUR mailbag segment: outrageous prices for sports events, FL’s fans vs Bob — and much more right here!

Episode 84: One of the Greatest Detroit Sports Stars EVER “Stars” with US!

Niklas Lidstrom Red Wings Jersey

And now…an author!

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

  • “The Perfect Human,” Nicklas Lidström himself, joins the boys to discuss his life and his amazing twenty years with the Detroit Red Wings!
  • Eli’s on a brief vacation but phones in — and, boy, is HE unhappy with Denny DESTROYING Max Scherzer!
  • In studio for Eli — and with hormones still raging at HIS age — Marc Fellhauer, whose interest in the Series Sunday was based on FOUR BIG things!
  • The always-awful FL’s manage a home victory over the now-awful New York Giants. The boys yawn, “BFD.”
  • What a SMACK DOWN Michigan laid on Notre Dame! Does this keep the heat off Harbaugh — for now?
  • Is the proverbial handwriting on the wall for Mark Dantonio? Bob gets a mass email and sez FOOTBALL remains the least of MSU’s problems.
  • TV is now playing a big role in the continuing explosion of sports gambling. But is this something it SHOULD be doing?
  • No matter what you read, the Wings lost an EIGHTH straight Sunday! Could Jeff Blashill be on his way out already?
  • Those stories, Fox’s awful coverage of the W.S., YOUR opinions on our weekly mailbag segment and much more right here!