tommybiden's profile

tommybiden
7631
Name: Thomas
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Gender: Male
Social Media Account: thowden@rogers.com (AIM)
Member since: January 30, 2006
Last visit: July 27, 2025

tommybiden has posted 421 links and 4,416 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 278 comments to the Locker Room.

Sports Bio

I have two favourite sporting events. One as an adult and the other as a child. The most entertaining sporting event I ever saw as an adult was January 9, 1986. Toronto Maple Leafs at home versus the Edmonton Oilers, 99, Mess, Coffey, and the rest of the boys. At this point in my life I had seasons tickets for the Leafs, I lived in London Ontario, about 2 hrs west of Toronto and as a result sold most of my seats to friends who lived closer to Toronto. I kept tickets for 5 or six games that year and thankfully that was one of them. The Leafs led 5-1 at the end of the first period. The Oilers tied the game at 6, and early in the 3rd, Edmonton led 8-7. Final score 11-9 Toronto! We almost blew the roof off the Carlton Street Cashbox that night. When I was only 7 years old, living near Toronto, my mother and father threw us kids into the car, drove us to Malton (now Pearson) International Airport. From there, we flew to Montreal, Mom, Dad, my 3 sisters, my brother and I. We watched the Expos play the Astros in a double header. We picniced in the park outside Jarry Park before the games, went for a swim in the pool just beyond the right field fence, and most importantly got Rusty Staub's autograph. I still have it! We flew back to Toronto the same night, we even got to go sit in the cockpit of the Air Canada jet. That's something that wouldn't happen today! It was the first time any of us, my parents included, had been on a plane. Way too cool. I've seen the Leafs 4 times at the Air Canada Centre, each time as the guest of friends in their private box. It's the only way to fly, if you can afford it. I've seen plenty of NFL games in Detroit and Buffalo, C.F.L. games in Olympic Stadium, Frank Clair Stadium, C.N.E. Stadium and Skydome(Rogers Centre). My family had seasons seats for the Blue Jays for the first 8 years of their existence. I could only guess at how many games I attended, maybe 350? I go to Rogers Centre a couple of times a year for Jays games now, and Comerica Park to see the Tigers at least once a season. I've been to a Toronto Rock lacrosse game, entirely too much fun and entertainment. I've seen 2 N.B.A. games live, the Raptors home opener in MoPete's rookie season, and at The Palace of Auburn Hills, against the 76'ers, on the night the Pistons honoured Chuck Daly. My two sports loves are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the late, lamented Montreal Expos. May The 'Spo's rest in peace. Damn you Jeffrey Loria, Bud Selig, and the rest of you baseball bastards.

Recent Links

Ex-NHL enforcer breaks silence on viral golf course beatdown: 'This might be a blast': Nick Tarnasky became a viral sensation after adding some sound effects to his beatdown of a drunken instigator earlier this month and is finally sharing his side of the story on the wild scene

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 07:07 PM on July 15, 2025 - 5 comments

White Sox fan learns fate after reducing Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte to tears by mocking his dead mother: The Chicago White Sox and Major League Baseball have banned a 22-year-old man indefinitely after he taunted Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte over the two-time All-Star’s late mother.

posted by tommybiden to baseball at 03:11 PM on June 25, 2025 - 3 comments

Why the jury was dismissed at the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial: A second jury has been dismissed and the case will be proceeding by judge alone at the sexual assault trial of five players from Canada’s championship-winning 2018 world junior hockey team.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 03:08 PM on May 16, 2025 - 1 comment

Utah Hockey Club has a new name. Here’s everything you need to know.: The mammoth is back roaming around Utah. This time, though, it is in the form of an NHL franchise. Smith Entertainment Group announced this week that “Utah Mammoth” is the official name of the team it acquired in April 2024. The group was called “Utah Hockey Club” for its inaugural season; that name will now be retired with the launch of the permanent branding.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 10:20 PM on May 07, 2025 - 3 comments

Blue Jays, Vlad Guerrero Jr. agree to record-breaking 14-year extension : Not only has Vlad Guerrero Jr. taken a step to be a Toronto Blue Jay for life -- a desire he has expressed frequently -- he is about to sign the richest contract in Canadian sports history. The 26-year-old first baseman has agreed to terms on a $500-million US, 14-year deal with the Jays, a ground-breaking contract both for the team and in context of sports in this country. The contract is pending a physical.

posted by tommybiden to baseball at 09:45 AM on April 07, 2025 - 5 comments

Recent Comments

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Did the judge's explanation clear things up at all?

All five players acquitted in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial

The judge spoke for 3.5 hours or so on the ruling today.

I would say yes her explanation did clear a few things up.

The long and short of it was that the crown did not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accuser (E.M.)'s testimony was unreliable and inconsistent.

Me?
Gross, offensive things happened in that hotel room that evening.
I cannot honestly say that they rose to the level of criminal acts.
I regard the 5 accused as reprehensible individuals.
There is a culture of entitlement in the elite hockey community in Canada.


I am disappointed that this was the result, but legally was it correct?
Probably, yes.

posted by tommybiden at 09:03 PM on July 24, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

All 5 players found not guilty, on all counts faced.

posted by tommybiden at 03:18 PM on July 24, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 7: Garney Hensley Edition

You missed game 3, Tommybiden. Or something went awry on the form.

Thank you, fixed now.

posted by tommybiden at 03:15 PM on July 24, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 7: Garney Hensley Edition

Revised picks:

Argonauts by 13 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 03:15 PM on July 24, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 7: Garney Hensley Edition

My picks:

Alouettes by 11 (lock)
Roughriders by 14 (lock)
Tiger-Cats by 12 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 01:51 PM on July 24, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

In the sports entertainment world, Terry Bollea died today (71).

posted by tommybiden at 01:14 PM on July 24, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

The judge is in the middle of giving her explanation for how she has arrived at her decision.

Has been speaking for about 2 hours, expected to continue roughly another hour.

From what she has said so far, it 'seems' to be indicating a not guilty verdict will be delivered.

posted by tommybiden at 01:07 PM on July 24, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

It is Verdict Day in the Hockey Canada players sexual assault trial.

posted by tommybiden at 09:57 AM on July 24, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 6: Not Really Week 6 Edition

My picks:

Blue Bombers by 17 (lock)
Lions by 15 (lock)
Redblacks by 11 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:39 PM on July 18, 2025

Stratospheric Skydiver Felix Baumgartner Dies in Paraglider Crash

.

posted by tommybiden at 08:27 AM on July 18, 2025

Ex-NHL enforcer breaks silence on viral golf course beatdown: 'This might be a blast'

I'm similar NoMich, really dislike physical confrontations, I used to enjoy a hockey fight. We know too much about brain injuries now, I cringe. Physical play? Hell yes, clean, hard hockey.

A drunken blowhard lout on a golf course beaking off at a fit former NHL player? The 'sound effects' were 'chef's kiss'.

I have no issue with Tarnasky's actions, in fact, I think he restrained himself.

The local constabulary do not seem to have an issue with what Nick did either.

posted by tommybiden at 12:06 PM on July 16, 2025

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

If so, I'll take Saskatchewan by 10 (lock), Ottawa by 11 (lock), British Columbia by 12 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 01:48 PM on July 12, 2025

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Will we have CFL picks for this week, rcade?

posted by tommybiden at 06:54 PM on July 11, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Wish I could remember the source of that saying.

Major Conn Smythe

I am a Maple Leafs fan, not a huge fan of fighting in hockey any more, but damn, Lyndon was a tough tough player.

Both entirely too soon.

posted by tommybiden at 04:01 PM on July 06, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Tough news, Bobby Jenks (44) and Lyndon Byers (61) have both passed away

posted by tommybiden at 12:40 PM on July 06, 2025