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: November 06, 2024

tommybiden has posted 406 links and 4,310 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

Rogers to become majority owner of MLSE after buying Bell's stake for $4.7B: Rogers Communications has bought Bell out of its stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Argonauts, TFC, Raptors, and Marlies, for $4.7 billion. Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE Inc.), which owns 37.5 per cent of MLSE, said in a media release Wednesday that the deal is expected to close in mid-2025.

posted by tommybiden to general at 09:29 PM on September 18, 2024 - 0 comments

For five decades, Bob Cole was Canada's hockey soundtrack: What made him famous? It was his voice, sure, but also his cadence. Every Canadian of a certain age is assuredly friends with someone who was once supremely confident in their Bob Cole impression, either in the goal call (a high, pinched “scores!”) or in pacing, which … can go … a little something … like this. At his best, Cole worked in both science and art. His catchphrases were repeated in street hockey games across the country. (In 2015, with the help of a long-time producer at CBC, Cole launched an app filled with his own recitations.) “How about that?” “Hold onto your hats” “Oh, baby.” There were more, but none so famous as that last one.

posted by tommybiden to culture at 07:52 PM on April 29, 2024 - 2 comments

Hockey Canada scandal, explained: Five members of 2018 World Juniors team facing charges of sexual assault: The names in an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canada World Juniors hockey team could be revealed at some point in the near future. The Globe and Mail reported on Jan. 24 that five players from the 2018 team have been told to surrender to face charges of sexual assault. The names of the players have not been revealed yet, and they have not been formally charged.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 01:08 PM on January 24, 2024 - 1 comment

Man arrested in death of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson: South Yorkshire Police on Tuesday said they arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter, and he remained in police custody. The man was not named. Johnson, who spent three years with the Penguins organization, was sliced by a skate in the neck Oct. 28 while playing a game in Sheffield, England, for Nottingham of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 12:53 PM on November 14, 2023 - 3 comments

Mike Babcock resigns as Columbus Blue Jackets coach after NHLPA investigation: Inquiries about the accusations were conducted by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association after former NHL player and TNT studio host Paul Bissonnette said Tuesday on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast that Babcock was demanding access to players’ phones so he could scroll through photos. The Blue Jackets pushed back and attempted to explain what happened by adding context with statements from Babcock and captain Boone Jenner, whose meeting with the coach was referenced by Bissonnette.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 05:16 PM on September 17, 2023 - 2 comments

Recent Comments

CFL Pickem Week 22: Semi-Finals

I may not be around when you post the CFL Pick'em

Toronto by 11 lock British Columbia by 14 lock

I posted this yesterday, and entered both this morning before heading out, for some reason only the Argonauts game went through, I'm fine with keeping the B.C. pick as is, score is 6-6 early 2nd quarter. I shall live with your ruling, King rcade!

posted by tommybiden at 07:21 PM on November 02, 2024

CFL Pickem Week 22: Semi-Finals

My picks:

Argonauts by 11 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 08:45 AM on November 02, 2024

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

I may not be around when you post the CFL Pick'em

Toronto by 11 lock British Columbia by 14 lock

posted by tommybiden at 09:51 PM on November 01, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 9: B-E-T-S Bets Bets Bets

Revised picks:

Texans by 14 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 07:34 PM on October 31, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 9: B-E-T-S Bets Bets Bets

My picks:

Jets by 14 (lock)
Cowboys by 3
Bills by 15 (lock)
Bengals by 13 (lock)
Browns by 2
Titans by 4
Commanders by 12 (lock)
Saints by 11 (lock)
Ravens by 16 (lock)
Eagles by 10 (lock)
Cardinals by 5
Lions by 7 (lock)
Rams by 2
Vikings by 9 (lock)
Chiefs by 17 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:18 PM on October 31, 2024

Fernando Valenzuela Dead at 63

.

posted by tommybiden at 05:10 PM on October 25, 2024

CFL Pickem Week 25: Farewell Regular Season

My picks:

Tiger-Cats by 4 (lock)
Elks by 6 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 10 (lock)
Roughriders by 10 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:10 PM on October 25, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 8: The Running Back is Back

Revised picks:

Bengals by 4
Ravens by 10 (lock)
Lions by 15 (lock)
Cardinals by 3
Jets by 13 (lock)
Falcons by 6
Packers by 7
Texans by 8
Chargers by 7
Bills by 7
Broncos by 8
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Commanders by 1
Cowboys by 7
Steelers by 6

posted by tommybiden at 11:10 AM on October 24, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 8: The Running Back is Back

My picks:

Vikings by 10 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 09:34 AM on October 24, 2024

CFL Pickem Week 20: None of the Marbles

My picks:

Tiger-Cats by 5 (lock)
Argonauts by 10 (lock)
Lions by 7 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 10:31 AM on October 18, 2024

CFL Pickem Week 20: None of the Marbles

These standings still need Tommybiden's emailed picks from last week.

The hunt for REDBLACK October continues

posted by tommybiden at 08:51 AM on October 18, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 6: Can't Stop the Jaguars

My picks:

49ers by 11 (lock)
Bears by 3
Texans by 18 (lock)
Ravens by 10 (lock)
Browns by 21 (lock)
Cardinals by 1
Buccaneers by 16
Colts by 3
Chargers by 8 (lock)
Raiders by 3
Cowboys by 2
Falcons by 15 (lock)
Bengals by 9 (lock)
Bills by 8 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 08:44 AM on October 18, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 7: Can Stop the Jaguars

Revised picks:

Saints by 11 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 07:25 PM on October 17, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 7: Can Stop the Jaguars

My picks:

Saints by 3
Jaguars by 4
Bills by 15 (lock)
Texans by 5
Eagles by 7
Lions by 6
Falcons by 8
Bengals by 17
Colts by 5
Commanders by 8
Rams by 7
Chiefs by 6
Jets by 9 (lock)
Ravens by 8
Cardinals by 2

posted by tommybiden at 10:55 AM on October 17, 2024

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

rcade, I sent you an email with my NFL picks last week.

posted by tommybiden at 07:35 PM on October 15, 2024