The Official VanderHoeven Machine Baseball League

World Series 2009 Is Finally Here

2009-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

We have finally come to the end of the baseball season and have reached the World Series. Our teams that will be competing are the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. This means that Aunt Kirsten will be playing against Sarah VanderHoeven. Good luck to our competitors and we look forward to a great series.

VERSUS

Soccer vs. Football

2009-07-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGerySEVOnA

Office Linebackers

2009-07-10T00:21:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94

Click on the above link. I know it has nothing to do with Baseball, but it has something to do with sports and I think EVERY office needs a linebacker.

2 Best Records In The Majors

2009-07-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

As of today, July 4th, 2009 at 9:15 am, the teams with the best records in Major League Baseball are: At 48 and 31, the Boston Red Sox come in as having the SECOND best record in the league.

At 51 and 29, the Los Angeles Dodgers come in with our BEST record in Baseball.

Congratulations to both Brian Lutz and Karen Lutz for being the leaders of the contest thus far.

The Best Team So Far.

2009-04-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

As of Sunday, April 19th, 2009 (today), the team with the best record (at 11 and 1) is the Florida Marlins.

At 10 and 2, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 1 behind the Florida Marlins, which make them our 2nd place team.

Congrats to both Linda Aguirre (Marlins) and Brian Lutz (Dodgers) for being our first and second place teams.

Quote of the week.

2009-04-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

"There are no steroids in baseball, just players Chuck Norris has breathed on."

-Unknown

Let's go Baltimore!!!!

2009-04-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

I don't mean to brag or anything, but both of my teams are 6-2, which basically means they have some of the BEST records in baseball. For those who have Cleveleand, Houston, or Washington, I'm sorry to say that you have some of the WORST records in baseball...so, I'll go ahead and take everybody's $20 right now...hahahahaha!!!! Just kidding. Enjoy the rest of the season.

Baseball Trivia #3

2009-03-23T17:10:00.001-07:00

In how many world Series did Babe Ruth play during his 22 year career?

Please leave your answer in the comment box of this post. The answer will be posted on Wednesday.

The Trivia Questions

2009-03-22T12:41:00.001-07:00

I know that I have been putting a lot of questions onto the blog. I noticed that no one commented on it. I guess I didn't explain it. I will be putting out daily baseball trivia questions (starting tomorrow). If you could answer the question, or attempt toanswer it, then please post a comment under the question with your answer. That would be great!!! Thanks a lot.

Answers to Trivia Set 2

2009-03-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

1. What is the minimum weight permitted for a baseball in the major leagues?

Answer: The minimum is 5 ounces. (The maximum weight allowed is 5-1/4 ounces).

2. Who was on the mound for the Brooklyn Dodgers when Yankee right hander Don Larsen pitched his perfect game in the 1956 World Series?

Answer: Sal Maglie, who allowed only five hits in the 2-0 Dodger loss.

3. According to the rules in effect at the first intercollegiate baseball game ever played--back in 1859-- the first team to score 65 runs would bee the winner. How long did the game last?

Answer: It went 26 innings, or "rounds," with Amherst beating Williams 66-32.

4. Against what opposing team did Babe Ruth hit his first career home run?

Choose Your Answer: A: New York Yankees B: Boston Red Sox C: Chicago Cubs D: Baltimore Black Sox

Answer: While playing for the Boston Red Sox, Babe Ruth hit his first career home run against the New York Yankees on May 6, 1915. He was later traded to the Yankees for a mere $125,000.

5. Who hit the "Homer in the Gloamin" on September 28, 1938?

Choose Your Answer: A: Ted Williams B: Jimmie Foxx C: Gabby Hartnett D: Babe Ruth

Answer: On September 28, 1938, one of the most dramatic moments in Chicago Cubs history took place when catcher Gabby Hartnett hit his legendary "Homer in the Gloamin'," a game-winning home run against the Pirates, hit into the darkness of Wrigley Field. Hartnett not only played catcher, but also replaced Charlie Grimm as manager that season, leading the Cubs to the 1938 World Series against the New York Yankees, where the Cubs were swept four games to none. The Homer in the Gloamin' was one of 236 homers that Hartnett hit during his career.

6. Who was the first Major League player to pitch a ball over 100 mph?

Choose Your Answer: A: Dwight Gooden B: Nolan Ryan C: Roger Clemens D: Tom Seaver

Answer: On September 7, 1974, in a game against the White Sox, California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan became the first player to break the 100 mph barrier when one of his pitches was officially clocked at 100.8 miles per hour.

Answer to Trivia 1

2009-03-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

The upcoming 2009 season marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of divisional play. Which team has won the most division titles in the past four decades?

A.New York Yankees
B. Oakland Athletics
C. Atlanta Braves
D. Los Angeles Dodgers

Answer: C. Since the start of the 1969 campaign, the Braves have captured 15 NL East titles, including 11 straight from 1995-2005.

Baseball Trivia 2

2009-03-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

The first 3 questions, you are allowed to use the internet to find the answer, but the last 3 questions you must answer on your own. Answers will be posted in a couple of days.

1. What is the minimum weight permitted for a baseball in the major leagues?

2. Who was on the mound for the Brooklyn Dodgers when Yankee right hander Don Larsen pitched his perfect game in the 1956 World Series?

3. According to the rules in effect at the first intercollegiate baseball game ever played--back in 1859-- the first team to score 65 runs would bee the winner. How long did the game last?

4. Who hit the "Homer in the Gloamin" on September 28, 1938?
A: Ted Williams B: Jimmie Foxx C: Gabby Hartnett D: Babe Ruth

5. Who was the first Major League player to pitch a ball over 100 mph?
A: Dwight Gooden B: Nolan Ryan C: Roger Clemens D: Tom Seaver

6. What retired basketball player tried out for the Chicago White Sox in 1994?
A: Dennis Rodman B: Magic Johnson C: Michael Jordan D: Frank Thomas

Baseball Trivia

2009-03-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

The upcoming 2009 season marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of divisional play. Which team has won the most division titles in the past four decades?

A) New York Yankees
B) Oakland Athletics
C) Atlanta Braves
D) Los Angeles Dodgers

The answer will be posted on Saturday evening.

Updates anyone?

2009-03-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

If any of you have any updates you would like posted onto this website about the baseball season, please e-mail me at chris.sirrine@hotmail.com and I can send you the login e-mail and password. Thanks alot!!!

National League Teams Posted

2009-03-01T14:13:00.001-08:00

I have the links ready for the National League teams. Keep me posted about any mini-contest ideas you may have. Thanks!!!

Mini Contests?

2009-02-28T21:36:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in the very first post something about weekly contests. Well, I don't think they should be weekly, but I think they should be every 2 weeks instead. I also mentioned that loser of the series has to do something nice for the winner. It does not have to be anything expensive, but should be something nice like going out for ice cream or something.
My second idea for this little contest is this. If we do end up having a weekly event, the 2 teams should play a game of DARE, meaning the winner has to dare the loser to do something completely embarrasing. This must be video-taped and and posted onto this blog to keep it entertaining.
Does anybody else have any ideas of how we could keep this baseball season entertaining? Give me some ideas of what we could do to keep it going.

American League Postings Ready

2009-02-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

I have the links for the American League Teams ready on the left. I will post the National League Team links tomorrow.
Oh yeah...one other thing. On the list below, did I forget about any teams at all?

Which Major League Baseball Belongs To You?

2009-02-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight, while sitting over an open fire, we picked baseball teams to represent. Thanks to Unlce Ady, this contest was brought to our attention. Each person has picked a Major League Team to which they were assigned. Let me remind you that the person who is assigned to the team that wins this year's World Series in October, wins a free "Birthday" party. That means that each person who did not win the World Series will spend $20 on a gift to the winner. Here is the list of the people in this tournament and which team is assigned to them. Each person who was not there but are on the list had a member of their own family pick the team for them. Okay, here it goes:

Karen: Boston Red Sox
Bob: Pittsburgh Pirates
Brian: Los Angeles Dodgers
Opa: Toronto Blue Jays
Pam: Houston Astros
Linda: Florida Marlins
Mario: St. Louis Cardinals
Mike: New York Mets
Judy: Colorado Rockies
Jack: Chicago Cubs
Chris: Baltimore Orioles
Jacki: Chicago White Sox
Terence: Oakland Athletics
Ady: Kansas City Royals
Kirsten: New York Yankees
Boomer: Cleveland Indians
Patricia: Seattle Mariners
Jeff: Arizona Diamondbacks
Valerie: Atlanta Braves
Jennifer: Washington Nationals
Josh: Cincinnati Reds
Sarah: Philadelphia Phillies
Jacob: San Diego Padres
Michelle: Detroit Tigers
Laura: Minnesota Twins
Cat: Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tijs: San Francisco Giants
Heather: Texas Rangers
Brooks: Los Angeles Angels

That's the list. I also put links to the teams on the side with the names of the people they are assigned to so that we can remember who belongs to who. Maybe throughout the season, we could have little mini-contests for a week. For example, if there is a certain 3-game series during the week (called the "Series of the Week"), and someone wins the series, then the loser has to do something nice for the winner. Anyways, enjoy!!!