#264: Mel Almada

Mel Amada

I) Mel Almada --> '39 St. Louis Browns
I) Mel Almada --> '39 Brooklyn Dodgers

We'll go with the Browns and see what we can come up with.

I) Mel Almada --> '39 St. Louis Browns --> Bobo Newsom, Johnny Berardino

II) Berardino --> '52 Indians, '52 Pirates
II) Newsom --> '53 Philadelphia Athletics

Bobo Newsom is a Connected player. I was about to completely dismiss him and move on to Berardino, but then I noticed something. The '53 Philadelphia Athletics were not one of my connected teams. The '53 Philadelphia Phillies however, were. Uh-oh. I think I made a boo-boo. Which means I'm going to have to go back and fix a few entries here. That won't be fun.

Until then, I have a chain to complete. I'm taking the least represented team, the Pirates.

II) Berardino --> '52 Pirates --> Ron Kline, Dick Hall
      III) Hall --> '71 Orioles
      III) Kline --> '70 Braves

Well, I know if I take the Orioles I can use Brooks Robinson, so I'll stop here.

1. Mel Almada played for the 1939 St. Louis Browns with Johnny Berardino.
2. Johnny Berardino played for the 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates with Dick Hall.
3. Dick Hall played for the 1971 Baltimore Orioles with Brooks Robinson.
4. Brooks Robinson played for the 1977 Baltimore Orioles with Dennis Martinez.
5. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#263: Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg

Hooray! A Hall of Famer! This is only my third randomly generated Hall member.

I) Hank Greenberg --> '47 Pittsburgh Pirate --> Cal McLish

McLish sounded familiar to me. Fortunately, through the miracle of search, I found a half-hearted attempt to use him here. From that post, I get:

II) McLish --> '64 Phillies --> Rick Wise
      III) Wise --> '82 Padres --> Tony Gwyn

We'll continue from here.

              IV) Gwynn --> 2001 Padres --> Damian Jackson, D'Angelo Jimenez, Phil Nevin, Rickey Henderson, Dave Magadan, Emil Brown, Kevin Jarvis, Adam Eaton, Jay Witasick, Jimmy Osting, Rudy Seanez
                     V) Brown --> 2005-06 Royals
                     V) Eaton --> 2006 Rangers, 2008 Phillies
                     V) Henderson --> '98 Athletics
                     V) Jackson --> 2004 Royals
                     V) Jarvis --> '99 Athletics
                     V) Jimenez --> 2006 Rangers
                     V) Magadan --> '97-'98 Athletics
                     V) Nevin --> 2006 Rangers
                     V) Osting --> 2002 Brewers
                     V) Seanez --> 2004 Royals, 2008 Phillies
                     V) Witasick --> '96-'98 Athletics

I could have easily stopped at Rickey, but since I saved some time by finding McLish, I went through with it.

1. Hank Greenberg played for the 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates with Cal McLish.
2. Cal McLish played for the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies with Rick Wise.
3. Rick Wise played for the 1982 San Diego Padres with Tony Gwynn.
4. Tony Gwynn played for the 2001 San Diego Padres with Rickey Henderson.
5. Rickey Henderson played for the 1998 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#262: John Koronka

John Koronka

I) John Koronka --> 2006 Rangers

A direct connect!

1. John Koronka played for the 2006 Texas Rangers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 1

#261: Dale Mitchell

Dale Mitchell

I) Dale Mitchell --> '56 Indians
I) Dale Mitchell --> '56 Brooklyn Dodgers

I already have the '56 Indians, so we'll use the Dodgers here.

I) Dale Mitchell --> '56 Brooklyn Dodgers --> Bob Aspromonte

II) Aspromonte --> '71 Mets --> Ken Singleton, Tim Foli, Wayne Garrett, Duffy Dyer, Mike Jorgensen, John Milner, Nolan Ryan
      III) Dyer --> '79 Expos
      III) Foli --> '74-'77 Expos, '84 Yankees
      III) Garrett --> '76-'78 Expos
      III) Jorgensen --> '74-'77 Expos
      III) Milner --> '81-'82 Expos
      III) Ryan --> '93 Rangers
      III) Singleton --> '74 Expos, '76-'84 Orioles

Tough to not go with Ryan here.

      III) Ryan --> '93 Rangers --> Ivan Rodriguez

I could go through the whole Rangers team and probably find a handful of guys who played with Stairs. I'm feeling lazy today, so I'm taking the first guy listed, who happens to be on my Connected Players list already (although I will update the listing!)

1. Dale Mitchell played for the 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers with Bob Aspromonte.
2. Bob Aspromonte played for the 1971 New York Mets with Nolan Ryan.
3. Nolan Ryan played for the 1993 Texas Rangers with Ivan Rodriguez.
4. Ivan Rodriguez plays for the 2011 Washington Nationals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#260: David Segui

David Segui

I) David Segui --> 2004 Orioles --> Miguel Tejada< Jerry Hairston Jr., Luis Lopez, Robert Machado, Jose Bautista, John Parrish, Mike DeJesus, B.J. Ryan, Rick Bauer, Jason Grimsley, Denny Bautista, Rodrigo Lopez, Buddy Groom

II) Bauer --> 2006 Rangers
II) D. Bautsita --> 2004-06 Royals
II) J. Bautista --> 2004 Royals and 2008 Blue Jays
II) DeJesus --> 2002 Brewers
II) Grimsley --> 2004 Royals
II) Groom --> 1996-99 Athletics
II) Hairston --> 2006 Rangers, 2010 Padres, and 2011 Nationals
II) L. Lopez --> 2002 Brewers
II) R. Lopez --> 2009 Phillies
II) Machado --> 2001 Cubs and 2002 Brewers
II) Parrish --> 2008 Blue Jays
II) Ryan --> 2007-08 Blue Jays
II) Tejada --> '97-2000 Athletics

Geez Louise! That's a lot of players. I've only used the Nats twice so far, making this an easy choice.

1. David Segui played for the 2004 Baltimore Orioles with Jerry Hairston Jr.
2. Jerry Hairston Jr. plays for the 2011 Washington Nationals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#259: John Davis

John Davis

I) John Davis --> '90 Padres --> Benito Santiago, Bip Roberts, Derek Lilliquist

II) Lilliquist --> '95 Red Sox
II) Roberts --> '98 Athletics
II) Santiago --> 2004 Royals

Eventually, every member of the 1995 Red Sox will be connected...

1. John Davis played for the 1990 San Diego Padres with Derek Lilliquist.
2. Derek Lilliquist played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Happy Trails, Matt Stairs!

Matt Stairs Plans to Retire

So long to Matt Stairs. You had a great long career doing something most of us wish we could do. Thanks for everything!

#258: Farmer Burns

Farmer Burns

I) Farmer Burns --> '01 Cardinals --> Bobby Wallace

II) Wallace --> '18 Cardinals

The 1918 St. Louis Cardinals have been connected already. Oh well.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#257: Len Swormstedt

Len Swormstedt

I) Len Swormstedt --> '06 Boston Americans --> Chet Chadbourne, Heinie Wagner

II) Chadbourne --> '18 Boston Braves
II) Wagner --> '18 Red Sox

All roads lead to Boston. Red Sox first...

II) Wagner --> '18 Red Sox --> Babe Ruth, Sad Sam Jones

Sad Sam is connected. He's out. It seems fitting that the 1918 Red Sox would be represented by the Babe.

      III) Ruth --> '35 Boston Braves

There's another connected team. Next up is the '18 Braves...

II) Chadbourne --> '18 Boston Braves --> Rabbit Maranville

like Ruth, Maranville ended his Hall of Fame career with the '35 Boston Braves. I'm done.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

Is This The End?

It was such a minor transaction it barely registered on the major sports sites. The Washington Nationals acquired Johnny Gomes from the Cincinati Reds. A roster move had to be made.

On Wednesday, the Nationals designated Matt Stairs for assignment.

Our muse may have played his last game in Major League Baseball. While it's definitely possibly some other team may have need of his pinch hitting skills, his age and lack of production do not tip the scales in his favor. I hope he keeps playing.

So what's to become of this blog? Obviously, I'll finish out the season. I may continue through the off-season and into Spring Training, hopeful he gets one more chance. I may continue well beyond. I may get bored and decide to pursue other interests. In the meantime, if this is it, thank you Mr. Stairs. You'll always have at least one fan.

#256: Bill Hoffman

Bill Hoffman

I) Bill Hoffman --> '39 Phillies --> Kirby Higbe

II) Higbe --> '50 New York Giants --> Jim Hearn, George Spencer, Jack Harshman, Al Dark, Whitey Lockman, Don Mueller, Bobby Thomson
      III) Dark --> '60 Phillies and '60 Milwaukee Braves
      III) Harshman --> '60 Indians
      III) Hearn --> '59 Phillies
      III) Lockman --> '60 Reds
      III) Mueller --> '59 White Sox
      III) Spencer --> '60 Tigers
      III) Thomson --> '60 Red Sox and '60 Orioles

Quite a list to choose from here. The '59 Phillies, '60 Reds, '60 Orioles, and '60 Tigers are all connected already. Out of the ones I haven't done, I'm playing the favorite card and adding another Red Sox team to my list.

      III) Thomson --> '60 Red Sox --> Earl Wilson, Al Worthington, Jim Pagliaroni, Gary Geiger
              IV) Geiger --> '70 Astros
              IV) Pagliaroni --> '69 Athletics and '69 Pilots
              IV) Wilson --> '70 Tigers and '70 Padres
              IV) Worthington --> '69 Twins

I have to admit, I'm a little underwhelmed here. I'm only jumping around ten years per degree here. I can estimate continuing along this route will take all 6 degrees, but I also know that I can do it in 5 by using the Orioles team. In the long term, it serves me better to complete chains as quickly as possible.

1. Bill Hoffman played for the 1939 Philadelphia Phillies with Kirby Higbe.
2. Kirby Higbe played for the 1950 New York Giants with Bobby Thomson.
3. Bobby Thomson played for the 1960 Baltimore Orioles with Brooks Robinson.
4. Brooks Robinson played for the 1977 Baltimore Orioles with Dennis Martinez.
5. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#254-255: 2011 Hall of Fame - Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven

Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducts 3 more members - 2B Roberto Alomar, SP Bert Blyleven and executive Pat Gillick. Gillick never played professionally, but I dedicate this post to the other two.

Roberto Alomar

I) Roberto Alomar --> 2004 Diamondbacks, White Sox

I have yet to use the Diamondbacks as a team, so that makes them the easy choice.

I) Roberto Alomar --> 2004 Diamondbacks --> Brent Mayne, Richie Sexton, Greg Colbrunn, Elmer Dressens, Scott Service< Chad Durbin, Mike Fetters, Jeff Fassero, Shane Nance

II) Colbrunn --> '92-'93 Expos
II) Dressens --> 2006 Royals
II) Durbin --> 2006 Tigers, 2009 Phillies
II) Fassero --> '92-'93 Expos, 2001 Cubs
II) Fetters --> '98 Athletics
II) Mayne --> '97 Athletics
II) Nance --> 2002 Brewers
II) Service --> '92 Expos, 2000 Athletics
II) Sexton --> 2002 Brewers

Wow. A lot of choices here, including 3 guys who played with Stairs on 2 separate teams. The honor goes to All-Star.

1. Robert Alomar played with the 2004 Arizona Diamondbacks with Richie Sexton.
2. Richie Sexton played with the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Bert Blyleven

I) Bert Blyleven --> '92 Angels

I'm surprised. 1992 was Stairs' first season, so I was sure I'd find someone on this Angels team who had played with him. Not one, not a single one. This is going to be a 3-degree chain. Fortunately, there is a connected player on here I can use.

1. Bert Blyleven played for the 1992 California Angels with Gary Gaetti.
2. Gary Gaetti played for the 2000 Boston Red Sox with Tim Wakefield.
3. Tim Wakefield played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

Welcome to the Hall, gentlemen!

#253: Frank Lobert

Frank Lobert

I) Frank Lobert --> '14 Baltimore Terrapins --> Jack Quinn

I've used Quinn before here! This means I get to add the Terrapins to my list of connected teams! It's always exciting to add a long retired franchise, especially when it's a old Federal League team that was only in existence for two years. Score!

1. Frank Lobert played with the 1914 Baltimore Terrapins with Jack Quinn.
2. Jack Quinn played for the 1933 Cincinati Reds with Ernie Lombardi.
3. Ernie Lombardi played for the 1947 New York Giants with Whitey Lockman.
4. Whitey Lockman played for the 1960 Cincinati Reds with Frank Robinson.
5. Frank Robinson played for the 1976 Cleveland Indians with Rick Cerone.
6. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#252: Jack Wisner

Jack Wisner

I) Jack Wisner --> '26 New York Giants

This is already a connected team, so I'm going to use the prior year.

I) Jack Wisner --> '25 New York Giants --> Freddie Fitzsimmons

II) Fitzsimmons --> '43 Brooklyn Dodgers

1943 Dodgers are a connected team.

1. Jack Wisner played for the 1925 New York Giants with Freddie Fitzsimmons.
2. Freddie Fitzsimmons played for the 1943 Brooklyn Dodgers with Gil Hodges.
3. Gil Hodges played for the 1963 New York Mets with Ron Hunt.
4. Ron Hunt played for the 1974 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
5. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#251: Vince Coleman

Vince Coleman

Vincent Van Go is one of those players you always remember with one team, in this case the Cardinals. He ended his career as a journeyman, playing his last games as a Tiger.

I) Vince Coleman --> '97 Tigers --> Raul Casanova, Phil Nevin, Curtis Pride, Omar Olivares, Todd Jones, Kevin Jarvis

II) Casanova --> 2002 Brewers
II) Jarvis --> '99 Athletics
II) Jones --> 2006 Tigers
II) Nevin --> 2006 Rangers
II) Olivares --> '99-2000 Athletics
II) Pride --> '93 Expos

Brew Crew is the low team on the totem pole.

1. Vince Coleman played for the 1997 Detroit Tigers with Raul Casanova.
2. Raul Casanova played for the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#250: George Rettger

George Rettger

I) George Rettger --> 1892 Cleveland Spiders
I) George Rettger --> 1892 Reds

We'll go with the Reds team first, since they still exist.

I) George Rettger --> 1892 Reds --> Arlie Latham

Could it be? It is! It's The Freshest Man On Earth! As it is, we've come across this dapper gent already, and can stop this chain right here. Onward to Cleveland!

I) George Rettger --> 1892 Cleveland Spiders --> Cy Young, Jack O'Connor

II) O'Connor --> '10 St. Louis Browns
II) Young --> '11 Cleveland Naps
II) Young --> '11 Boston Rustlers

Jack O'Connor got us nowhere in this post. The Cleveland Naps team has been connected and requires all 6 degrees. My one and only hope is the Rustlers (or, as they are known now, the Atlanta Braves).

II) Young --> '11 Boston Rustlers --> Hank Gowdy
      III) Gowdy --> '30 Boston Braves

That's the end folks. Gowdy and the '30 Braves showed up once before here.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#249: Anthony Shumaker

Anthony Shumaker

I) Anthony Shumaker --> '99 Phillies --> Desi Relaford, Torey Lovullo, Steve Montgomery, Scott Aldred, Ken Ryan, Billy Brewer

II) Aldred --> '93 Expos
II) Brewer --> '97 Athletics
II) Lovullo --> '96 Athletics
II) Montgomery --> '96-'97 Athletics
II) Relaford --> 2004 Royals
II) Ryan --> '95 Red Sox

1. Anthony Shumaker played for the 1999 Philadelphia Phillies with Ken Ryan.
2. Ken Ryan played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#248: Dick Williams

Dick Williams

The Hall of Fame Manager of the 1967 "Impossible Dream" Boston Red Sox has passed away. This one is dedicated to the man who helped make baseball in Boston matter again.

I) Dick Williams --> '64 Red Sox

I didn't know he played with that very team just a few years earlier.

I) Dick Williams --> '64 Red Sox --> Carl Yastrzemski

Wow, that just seems appropriate, you know?

II) Yastrzemski --> '83 Red Sox --> Dennis Eckersley, Wade Boggs

Two more Hall of Famers here. I have already used Eckersley here, so we'll try and add Boggs.

      III) Boggs --> '99 Devil Rays --> Fred McGriff, Miguel Cairo, Jose Canseco, Tony Graffanino, Jim Mecir, Scott Aldred
              IV) Aldred --> '93 Expos
              IV) Cairo --> 2009 Phillies
              IV) Canseco --> '95 Red Sox
              IV) Graffanino --> 2004 Royals
              IV) McGriff --> 2001 Cubs
              IV) Mecir --> 2000 Athletics

It seems like I'm always short-changing the Royals for better options. It's time to give some respect to KC.

1. Dick Williams played for the 1964 Boston Red Sox with Carl Yastrzemski.
2. Carl Yastrzemski played for the 1983 Boston Red Sox with Wade Boggs.
3. Wade Boggs played for the 1999 Tampa Bay Devil Rays with Tony Graffanino.
4. Tony Graffanino played for the 2004 Kansas City Royals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

R.I.P. Mr. Williams

#247: Normie Ray

Normie Ray

I) Normie Ray --> '50 Boston Braves

Another connected team. Easy one for me - all I have to do is copy and paste from this post!

1. Normie Ray played for the 1950 Boston Braves with Del Crandall.
2. Del Crandall played for the 1966 Cleveland Indians with Luis Tiant.
3. Luis Tiant played for the 1980 New York Yankees with Rick Cerone.
4. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#246: Terry Felton

Terry Felton

I) Terry Felton --> '82 Twins

I don't have many Twins teams connected, so I was mildly enthused to use this team. Wouldn't you know? The '82 squad is one of the few connected Twins teams I had. I'm going to try an earlier team and see if I can match the number of degrees.

I) Terry Felton --> '80 Twins --> Gary Ward

II) Ward --> '90 Tigers

The Tigers team has been previously connected as well. At least I can add one team here.

1. Terry Felton played for the 1980 Minnesota Twins with Gary Ward.
2. Gary Ward played for the 1990 Detroit Tigers with Tony Phillips.
3. Tony Phillips played for the 1999 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#245: Kevin Hooper

Kevin Hooper

I) Kevin Hooper --> 2006 Tigers

Another direct connect! Back-to-back!

1. Kevin Hooper played for the 2006 Detroit Tigers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 1

#244: Jeremy Giambi

Jeremy Giambi

I) Jeremy Giambi --> 2000 Athletics

Direct connect!

1. Jeremy Giambi played for the 2000 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 1

#243: Mel Nelson

Mel Nelson

I) Mel Nelson --> '69 Cardinals --> Jerry Reuss, Boots Day, Nelson Briles, Mike Torrez, Chuck Taylor

II) Briles --> '77-'78 Orioles
II) Day --> '74 Expos
II) Reuss --> '90 Pirates
II) Taylor --> '74-'76 Expos
II) Torrez --> '74 Expos
II) Torrez --> '75 Orioles

Wow, I honestly didn't believe I'd have this many choices. All are connected team that'll use the same number of degrees. I'll give the Pirates team some attention.

1. Mel Nelson played for the 1969 St. Louis Cardinals with Jerry Reuss.
2. Jerry Reuss played for the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates with Zane Smith.
3. Zane Smith played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#242: Pat Sullivan

Pat Sullivan

I've been taking a 19th Century beat-down lately...

I) Pat Sullivan --> 1884 Kansas City Cowboys --> Frank Foreman

II) Foreman --> '02 Orioles

Yep. Frank Foreman. Nowhere to go from here.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#241: Gil Hatfield

Gil Hatfield

Well it was fun while it lasted. I'm back at trying to connect 19th century ballplayers.

I) Gil Hatfield --> 1895 Louisville Colonels --> Fred Clarke

II) Clarke --> '15 Pirates --> Dazzy Vance
      III) Vance --> '35 Brooklyn Dodgers --> Dutch Leonard
              IV) Leonard --> '53 Cubs

This is where it ends. Dutch is a connected player, and I'll need more than my allotted six degrees from this point.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#240: Gary Rajsich

Gary Rajsich

I) Gary Rajsich --> '85 Giants --> Chili Davis

II) Davis --> '99 Yankees --> Scott Brosius, Joe Girardi, D'Angelo Jimenez, Roger Clemens, Mike Stanton, Mike Buddie, Jason Grimsley
      III) Brosius --> '97 Athletics
      III) Buddie --> 2002 Brewers
      III) Clemens --> '95 Red Sox
      III) Girardi --> 2001 Cubs
      III) Grimsley --> 2004 Royals
      III) Jimenez --> 2006 Rangers
      III) Stanton --> '95 Red Sox

Lots of choices here. I'm obviously going with one of the Red Sox here, but picking my childhood-favorite-turned-traitor-turned-PED-punchline...

1. Gary Rajsich played for the 1985 San Francisco Giants with Chili Davis.
2. Chili Davis played for the 1999 New York Yankees with Roger Clemens.
3. Roger Clemens played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#239: Dyar Miller

Dyar Miller

I) Dyar Miller --> '76-'77 Orioles, '79 Blue Jays, '81 Mets

I can match up to one of my Big 3 with either the Orioles or the Blue Jays. I'll take my chances with the Mets team and try to add something new.

I) Dyar Miller --> '81 Mets --> Jesse Orosco

II) Orosco --> 2003 Padres, Yankees, Twins

No one on this Mets team has direct connection to Stairs. It'll be quicker to use one of the other teams.

1. Dyar Miller played for the 1979 Toronto Blue Jays with Rick Cerone.
2. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#238: Jon Zuber

Jon Zuber

I) John Zuber --> '98 Phillies --> Desi Relaford, Scott Rolen, Ken Ryan, Billy Brewer

II) Brewer --> '97 Athletics
II) Relaford --> 2004 Royals
II) Rolen --> 2008 Blue Jays
II) Ryan --> '95 Red Sox

Another easy one.

1. John Zuber played for the 1998 Philadelphia Phillies with Ken Ryan.
2. Ken Ryan played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#237: Mark Ryal

Mark Ryal

I) Mark Ryal --> '90 Pirates --> Moises Alou, Zane Smith, Bill Landrum, Stan Belinda

II) Alou --> '92 Expos
II) Belinda --> '95 Red Sox
II) Landrum --> '92 Expos
II) Smith --> '95 Red Sox

Easy.

1. Mark Ryal played for the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates with Zane Smith.
2. Zane Smith played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#236: William Fischer

William Fischer

I) William Fischer --> '17 Pirates --> Burleigh Grimes

Grimes has showed up in our posts before. However, he always showed up further down in our chains and resulted in dead ends. He shows up much earlier this time, and gives us a reasonable shot for completion. Rather than go through all 3 teams Grimes played with his final year, I'll refer you to this post. I'll just pick up from where I left off, and pick my paths from there.

II) Burleigh Grimes --> '34 Pirates --> Arky Vaughan
      III) Vaughan --> '48 Dodgers --> Gil Hodges
              IV) Hodges --> '63 Mets

The '63 Mets are a connected team. I'm done.

1. William Fischer played for the 1917 Pittsburgh Pirates with Burleigh Grimes.
2. Burleigh Grimes played for the 1934 Pittsburgh Pirates with Arky Vaughan.
3. Arky Vaughan played for the 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers with Gil Hodges.
4. Gil Hodges played for the 1963 New York Mets with Ron Hunt.
5. Ron Hunt played for the 1974 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
6. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#235: Chris Batton

Chris Batton

I) Chris Batton --> '76 Athletics

I have this team already. All I have to do is go here and cut/paste.

1. Chris Batton played for the 1976 Oakland Athletics with Denny Walling.
2. Denny Walling played for the 1992 Houston Astros with Tuffy Rhodes.
3. Tuffy Rhodes played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#234: Carlos Reyes

Carlos Reyes

I) Carlos Reyes --> 2003 Devil Rays --> Ben Grieve, Terry Shumpert, Adam Piatt, Matt Diaz, Jason Smith, Victor Zambrano, Joe Kennedy, Bobby Seay, Chad Gaudin

II) Diaz --> 2005 Royals
II) Gaudin --> 2011 Nationals
II) Grieve --> '97 - 2000 Athletics
II) Kennedy --> 2007 Blue Jays
II) Piatt --> 2000 Athletics
II) Seay --> 2006 Tigers
II) Shumpert --> '95 Red Sox
II) Smith --> 2001 Cubs
II) Zambrano --> 2007 Blue Jays

As much as I'd like to pad my Red Sox total, I can't pass up the opportunity to add Matt's current team.

1. Carlos Reyes played for the 2003 Tampa Bay Devil Rays with Chad Gaudin.
2. Chad Gaudin plays for the 2011 Washington Nationals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#233: George Elder

George Elder

I) George Elder --> '49 St. Louis Browns --> Roy Sievers

After a string of unconnected players, I've now had two easy connections. I added Roy Sievers here.

1. George Elder played for the 1949 St. Louis Browns with Roy Sievers.
2. Roy Sievers played for the 1965 Washington Senators with Joe Coleman.
3. Joe Coleman played for the 1978 Toronto Blue Jays with Rick Cerone.
4. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#232: Pat Murray

Pat Murray

I) Pat Murray --> '19 Phillies --> Eppa Rixey

II) Rixey --> '33 Reds

And there you have it: I have a Connected Team.

1. Pat Murray played for the 1919 Philadelphia Phillies with Eppa Rixey.
2. Eppa Rixey played for the 1933 Cincinati Reds with Ernie Lombardi.
3. Ernie Lombardi played for the 1947 New York Giants with Whitey Lockman.
4. Whitey Lockman played for the 1960 Cincinati Reds with Frank Robinson.
5. Frank Robinson played for the 1976 Cleveland Indians with Rick Cerone.
6. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#231: Harmon Killebrew

Harmon Killebrew

Baseball lost another of its all time greats today. For this post, all I have to do is cut and paste from here. RIP Mr. Killebrew...

1. Harmon Killebrew played for the 1975 Kansas City Royals with George Brett.
2. George Brett played for the 1993 Kansas City Royals with Mike Macfarlane.
3. Mike Macfarlane played for the 1999 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#230: Jim Bolger

Jim Bolger

Finally! Someone I have a reasonable shot of connecting!

I) Jim Bolger --> '59 Indians and '59 Phillies

I already have the Phillies team connected, so we'll go with the Indians here.

I) Jim Bolger --> '59 Indians --> Jim Perry, Minnie Minoso

II) Minoso --> '80 White Sox
II) Perry --> '75 Indians and '75 Athletics

Even though Minoso has 5 more years than Perry, Perry has the edge. The '75 Indians can get me to Stairs in 2 degrees, while the '80 White Sox needs 3. I'll give the '75 Athletics a fighting chance. If they can't do it in 2, I'm going with Cleveland.

II) Perry --> '75 Athletics --> Dick Bosman, Ken Holtzman, Stan Bahnsen, Tommy Harper, Bert Campaneris, Claudell Washington, Reggie Jackson, Ray Fosse
      III) Bahnsen --> '77 Expos
      III) Bosman --> '76 Indians
      III) Campaneris --> '83 Yankees
      III) Fosse --> '76 Indians
      III) Harper --> '76 Orioles
      III) Holtzman --> '76 Orioles
      III) Jackson --> '76 Orioles
      III) Washington --> '87 Yankees

Nope. Cleveland it is!

1. Jim Bolger played for the 1959 Cleveland Indians with Jim Perry.
2. Jim Perry played for the 1975 Cleveland Indians with Rick Cerone.
3. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#229: Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels

Admit it. You're looking at this name and "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" is playing through your head, isn't it?

I) Charlie Daniels --> 1884 Boston Reds

Good grief...

I) Charlie Daniels --> 1884 Boston Reds --> Tommy McCarthy

II) McCarthy --> 1896 Brooklyn Bridegrooms

The rule I established in my last post is already paying dividends. So that's 4 straight players I can't connect, and 5 out of my last 6. This is a rough stretch I'm going through...

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#228: Harry Koons

Harry Koons

I) Koons --> 1884 Chicago/Pittsburgh --> Frank Foreman

You know you're in trouble when the team didn't even have a name. As it is, I've already tried to connect Foreman without success.

I) Koons --> 1884 Altoona Mountain City --> Germany Smith

II) Smith --> 1898 St. Louis Browns

My new rule: If The 2nd degree doesn't get me out of the 1800's, I'm calling it a dead end.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#227: Jerry Nops

Jerry Nops

I) Jerry Nops --> '01 Orioles --> Roger Bresnahan, Mike Donlin

II) Bresnahan --> '15 Cubs
II) Donlin --> '14 New York Giants

I have faith in neither of these players. I have the '14 Cubs team connected, so that may be a quick dead end. We'll see.

II) Bresnahan --> '15 Cubs --> Bob O'Farrell
      III) O'Farrell --> '35 Cardinals --> Ed Heusser, Dizzy Dean, Joe Medwick, Terry Moore.

Hmmm...that grouping of players looks familiar to me. After a little research, I found why: Frank Foreman. I've previously tried connecting the '02 Orioles, and Bresnahan was player I used there too. Dead end.

Let's try Donlin for kicks, shall we?

II) Donlin --> '14 New York Giants --> Rube Marquard, Walter Holke, Fred Merkle, Milt Stock, George Burns
      III) Burns --> '25 Phillies
      III) Holke --> '25 Phillies and '25 Reds
      III) Marquard --> '25 Boston Braves
      III) Merkle --> '26 Yankees
      III) Stock --> '26 Brooklyn Robins

Marquad and Merkle have been tried before here. The other 3 are good to go.

      III) Stock --> '26 Brooklyn Robins --> Babe Herman
              IV) Herman --> '45 Brooklyn Dodgers --> Ralph Branca, Erv Palica
                     V) Branca --> '56 Brooklyn Dodgers
                     V) Pelica --> '56 Orioles

      III) Holke --> '25 Reds --> Dolph Luque, Hughie Critz
              IV) Critz --> '35 New York Giants
              IV) Luque --> '35 New York Giants

Dead end - Luque, and by extension the '35 Giants, were use here.

      III) Burns --> '25 Phillies --> Jimmie Wilson
              IV) Wilson --> '40 Reds

Say goodnight Gracie, the '40 Reds are a connected team.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#226: Dwight Stone

Dwight Stone

I) Dwight Stone --> '14 Kansas City Packers --> Johnny Rawlings

II) Rawlings --> '26 Pirates --> Joe Cronin, Paul Wagner
      III) Cronin --> '45 Red Sox
      III) Wagner --> '45 Yankees

I recently added Cronin, and know he's no good to me here. Wagner is our only hope.

      III) Wagner --> '45 Yankees --> Al Gettel, Joe Page, Johnny Lindell
              IV) Gettel --> '55 Cardinals
              IV) Lindell --> '54 Phillies
              IV) Page --> '54 Pirates

I don't like my chances here. Only a 10 year jump between the 3rd and 4th links means I have some ground to gain quickly.

              IV) Gettel --> '55 Cardinals --> Lindy McDaniel
                     V) McDaniel --> '75 Royals

              IV) Lindell --> '54 Phillies --> Curt Simmons, Steve Ridzik, Robin Roberts, Smoky Burgess
                     V) Burgess --> '67 White Sox
                     V) Ridzik --> '66 Phillies
                     V) Roberts --> '66 Astros and '66 Cubs
                     V) Simmons --> '67 Cubs and '67 Angels

              IV) Page --> '54 Pirates --> Dick Hall
                     V) Hall --> '71 Orioles

Dead ends all around. Drats.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#225: Bud Metheny

Bud Metheny

I) Bud Metheny --> '46 Yankees --> Yogi Berra

Yogi makes another appearance here. I get the feeling he is going to be the top guy in a lot of Yankee teams from this era.

1. Bud Metheny played for the 1946 New York Yankees with Yogi Berra.
2. Yogi Berra played for the 1965 New York Mets with Ron Hunt.
3. Ron Hunt played for the 1974 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
4. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#224: Jack Cameron

Jack Cameron

I) Jack Cameron --> '06 Boston Beaneaters --> Tom Needham, Al Bridwell, Johnny Bates

Needham is connected.

II) Bridwell --> '15 St. Louis Terriers
II) Bates --> '14 Baltimore Terrapins

Wow, what a choice here. Two long forgotten team names. I'll take my chances with the Terriers first.

II) Bridwell --> '15 St. Louis Terriers --> Grover Hartley

Hartley is connected too. On to the Terrapins!

II) Bates --> '14 Baltimore Terrapins --> Jack Quinn

Again, we are halted by another connected player - Quinn. in each case, the player was part of a successful chain, but appeared in the first or second link. None of these will do here. Dead end.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#223: Elmer Miller

Elmer Miller

I) Elmer Miller --> '22 Yankees
I) Elmer Miller --> '22 Red Sox

Gee, I wonder which team I'll try first?

I) Elmer Miller --> '22 Red Sox --> Jack Quinn, Herb Pennock, Curt Fullerton, Muddy Ruel

II) Fullerton --> '33 Red Sox
II) Pennock --> '34 Red Sox
II) Quinn --> '33 Reds
II) Ruel --> '34 White Sox

The Reds team is the only one I don't have

II) Quinn --> '33 Reds --> Si Johnson, Rollie Hemsley, Ernie Lombardi
      III) Hemsley --> '47 Philles
      III) Johnson --> '47 Boston Braves
      III) Lombardi --> '47 New York Giants

All three of these teams have been used before. I now know I can connect, and it'll take the maximum 6 degrees. Let's see what the Yankees team can offer.

I) Elmer Miller --> '22 Yankees --> Waite Hoyt

II) Hoyt --> '38 Brooklyn Dodgers

Another connected team. By going with the first path, I can add two teams, but if I go with the second path, I add a Hall of Famer. Red Sox bias breaks the tie! (Looks like I get to add a Hall of Famer anyway - Lombardi!)

1. Elmer Miller played for the 1922 Boston Red Sox with Jack Quinn.
2. Jack Quinn played for the 1933 Cincinati Reds with Ernie Lombardi.
3. Ernie Lombardi played for the 1947 New York Giants with Whitey Lockman.
4. Whitey Lockman played for the 1960 Cincinati Reds with Frank Robinson.
5. Frank Robinson played for the 1976 Cleveland Indians with Rick Cerone.
6. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#222: Herb Welch

Herb Welch

I) Herb Welch --> '25 Red Sox

I've used this team already as part of my Thanksgiving Special. Done!

1. Herb Welch played for the 1925 Boston Red Sox with Red Ruffing.
2. Red Ruffing played for the 1947 Chicago White Sox with Dave Philley.
3. Dave Philley played for the 1961 Baltimore Orioles with Brooks Robinson.
4. Brooks Robinson played for the 1977 Baltimore Orioles with Dennis Martinez.
5. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#221: Brian Bohanon

Brian Bohanon

I) Brian Bohanon --> 2001 Rockies --> Neifi Perez, Larry Walker, Terry Shumpert, Jose Ortiz, Alex Ochoa, Brent Mayne, Sal Fasano, Scott Elarton, John Wasdin, Todd Belitz, Bobby Chouinard

II) Belitz --> 2000 Athletics
II) Chouinard --> '96 Athletics
II) Elarton --> 2006 Royals
II) Fasano --> 2000 Athletics and 2007 Blue Jays
II) Mayne --> '97 Athletics
II) Ochoa --> 2002 Brewers
II) Ortiz --> 2000 Athletics
II) Perez --> 2006 Tigers
II) Shumpert --> '95 Red Sox
II) Walker --> '92 and '93 Expos
II) Wasdin --> '96 Athletics and 2006 Rangers

Lots of choices here, but only one Red Sox player.

1. Brian Bohanon played for the 2001 Colorado Rockies with Terry Shumpert.
2. Terry Shumpert played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#220: Ed Wineapple

Ed Wineapple

I) Ed Wineapple --> '29 Washington Senators --> Joe Cronin, Nick Altrock

II) Cronin --> '45 Red Sox
II) Altrock --> '33 Washington Senators

Cronin's my only choice here, but I added Nick Altrock here for a reason. As I was looking through the '29 Senators team, a number next to Altrock stuck out for me - 52. It was under the age column! Altrock's career spanned 35 years until his last season in 1933 at the age of 56. Remarkable! This guy was Minnie Minoso before there was a Minnie Minoso! I may have to look into this player further, but I may have an outside chance to connect someone who played in the 1800's.

Back to Cronin...

II) Cronin --> '45 Red Sox --> Jim Wilson
      III) Wilson --> '58 White Sox --> Norm Cash, Johnny Callison, Luis Aparicio
              IV) Aparicio --> '73 Red Sox
              IV) Callison --> '73 Yankees
              IV) Cash --> '74 Tigers

The Yankees and Tigers teams are connected, not that I wouldn't have picked a Hall of Famer on a Red Sox team above them anyway.

              IV) Aparicio --> '73 Red Sox --> http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifCarlton Fisk
                     V) Fisk --> '93 White Sox --> Jason Bere, Frank Thomas, Tim Raines
                         VI) Bere --> 2001 Cubs
                         VI) Raines --> '99 Athletics
                         VI) Thomas --> 2007 Blue Jays

Done, although this makes the Altrock rambling a moot point. If I could have completed this in 5 or less, it would have been worth exploring.

1. Ed Wineapple played for the 1929 Washington Senators with Joe Cronin.
2. Joe Cronin played for the 1945 Boston Red Sox with Jim Wilson.
3. Jim Wilson played for the 1958 Chicago White Sox with Luis Aparicio.
4. Luis Aparicio played for the 1973 Boston Red Sox with Carlton Fisk.
5. Carlton Fisk played for the 1993 Chicago White Sox with Frank Thomas.
6. Frank Thomas played for the 2007 Toronto Blue Jays with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#219: Jim Hughey

Jim Hughey

I) Jim Hughey --> 1900 Cardinals --> Bobby Wallace

II) Wallace --> '18 Cardinals

I already have this team listed. I'll miss Stairs by one degree.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#218: Tony Murphy

Tony Murphy

Another 1800's era player.

I) Tony Murphy --> 1884 New York Metropolitans --> Tim Keefe

II) Keefe --> 1893 Phillies --> Sam Thompson, Lave Cross
      III) Cross --> '07 Washington Senators
      III) Thompson --> '06 Tigers

Once again, Lave Cross shows up again. In searching through my old posts, I found Sam Thompson has too. In fact they both showed up together in a previous post. I'm done.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#217: Tommy Fine

Tommy Fine

I) Tommy Fine --> '50 St. Louis Browns

I already connected this team, so I'm going to try the only other team he played for.

I) Tommy Fine --> '47 Red Sox --> Chuck Stobbs, Billy Goodman

II) Goodman --> '62 Houston Colt .45's
II) Stobbs --> '61 Twins

Billy Goodman is a connected player. The '61 Twins are a connected team. Twins get me to Stairs quicker.

1. Tommy Fine played for the 1947 Boston Red Sox with Chuck Stobbs.
2. Chuck Stobbs played for the 1961 Minnesota Twins with Jim Kaat.
3. Jim Kaat played for the 1980 New York Yankees with Rick Cerone.
4. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#216: Rich Barnes

Rich Barnes

I) Rich Barnes --> '83 Indians --> Otto Velez, Julio Franco, Toby Harrah, Andre Thorton

II) Franco --> 2007 Braves
II) Harrah --> '84 Yankees
II) Thorton --> '76 Expos
II) Velez --> '79 Blue Jays

I'm going to try and not use a Big 3 link here.

II) Franco --> 2007 Braves --> Tim Hudson, Ron Mahay, Mark Redmond, Craig Wilson, Matt Diaz, Mike Gonzalez, Wil Ledezma
      III) Diaz --> 2005 Royals
      III) Gonzalez --> 2003 Pirates
      III) Hudson --> 2000 Athletics
      III) Ledezma --> 2006 Tigers
      III) Mahay --> 2000 Athletics
      III) Redmond --> 2006 Royals
      III) Wilson --> 2003 Pirates

Only one of these guys has been used before.

1. Rich Barnes played for the 1983 Cleveland Indians with Julio Franco.
2. Julio Franco played for the 2007 Atlanta Braves with Ron Mahay.
3. Ron Mahay played for the 2000 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#215: George Glinatsis

George Glinatsis

I) George Glinatsis --> '94 Mariners --> Reggie Jefferson, Mike Blowers, Bill Haselman, Torey Luvullo, Jerry Willard

II) Blowers --> '98 Athletics
II) Haselman --> '95 Red Sox
II) Jefferson --> '95 Red Sox
II) Luvullo --> '96 Athletics
II) Willard --> '92 Expos

Bias showing through!

1. George Glinatsis played for the 1994 Seattle Mariners with Reggie Jefferson.
2. Reggie Jefferson played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Another Year of Stairs!

It's official! In the 3rd game of the year for the Washington Nationals, Matt Stairs came in as a pitch hitter. He is officially a Nat now, meaning he has now played for a record 13 different teams! Congratulations, Matt, on your accomplishment! Have a great year!

#214: Steve Torrealba

Steve Torrealba

If Joe Torre and Jessica Alba had a child, would he look like Torrealba?

That'll be my only bad joke today. I promise.

I) Steve Torrealba --> 2002 Braves --> Aaron Small, Kevin Millwood

II) Millwood --> 2006 Rangers
II) Small --> '97 Athletics

Giving the edge to one still pitching (assuming the Yankees call him up sometime this year...)

1. Steve Torrealba played for the 2002 Atlanta Braves with Kevin Millwood.
2. Kevin Millwood played for the 2006 Texas Rangers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#213: Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford

One year ago today, I hand picked Jeremy Hermida to kick start my blog. Unfortunately, he did not have a good year, breaking a few ribs and eventually getting released. I refuse to believe I cursed him. Still, for my one year anniversary, I am going to hand pick another player. Just like last year, I'm picking a new addition to the Red Sox family, and just like last year, I'm going under the assumption he plays for this year's team. What makes this connection easy/boring is that the elder statesman of baseball, Tim Wakefield, is still pitching. Go Sox!

1. Carl Crawford plays for the 2011 Boston Red Sox with Tim Wakefield.
2. Tim Wakefield played on the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Happy Anniversary/Opening Day!

It's Opening Day! Another baseball season is officially underway. It also happens to be the one year anniversary of this blog! I'll admit when I started it last year, it was little more than a diversion of my time meant to satisfy a curiosity - namely, the magnitude of teammates a player has over the course of his career. I honestly didn't know if my attention span/work/home life would allow me to continue this little nugget of cyberspace. Here we are one year later, and I still am going strong. Here's to another year of baseball and 6 Degrees of Matt Stairs!

Play ball!

#212: Frank Mills

Frank Mills

I) Frank Mills --> '14 Cleveland Naps

I've already connected the 1914 Naps team. This is a simple copy and paste.

1. Frank Mills played for the 1914 Cleveland Naps with Sad Sam Jones.
2. Sad Sam Jones played for the 1935 Chicago White Sox with Luke Appling.
3. Luke Appling played for the 1950 Chicago White Sox with Nellie Fox.
4. Nellie Fox played for the 1965 Houston Astros with Mike Cueller.
5. Mike Cueller played for the 1976 Baltimore Orioles with Denny Martinez.
6. Denny Martinez played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#211: Vida Blue

Vida Blue

With only 6 years between Blue's last year and Stairs's first year, I was pretty confident I'd find someone who played for both. Alas, that isn't the case. I did find a number of 3 degree jumps, including a few using teams I don't have yet.

1. Vida Blue played for the 1986 San Francisco Giants with Randy Kutcher.
2. Randy Kutcher played for the 1990 Boston Red Sox with Mike Greenwell.
3. Mike Greenwell played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#210: Gaby Sanchez

Gaby Sanchez

Goody! Another active player!

I) Gaby Sanchez --> 2010 Marlins --> Will Ohman, Leo Nunez, Nate Robertson, Andrew Miller, Hector Luna, Donnie Murphy

II) Luna --> 2007 Blue Jays
II) Miller --> 2006 Tigers
II) Murphy --> 2004 Royals
II) Nunez --> 2005 Royals
II) Ohman --> 2001 Cubs
II) Robertson --> 2006 Tigers

Of these, the Royals have been the least represented.

1. Gaby Sanchez played for the 2010 Florida Marlins with Leo Nunez.
2. Leo Nunez played for the 2005 Kansas City Royals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#209: Joe Murphy

Joe Murphy

Ugh....another 1800's player.

I) Joe Murphy --> 1887 St. Louis Browns --> Arlie Latham

II) Latham --> '09 New York Giants --> Rube Marquard, Fred Merkle
      III) Marquard --> '25 Boston Braves
      III) Merkle --> '26 Yankees

I've attempted to connect Merkle before, a long time ago. I would have picked the Hall of Famer anyway.

      III) Marquard --> '25 Boston Braves --> Johnny Cooney

I can stop here. I've already connected Cooney and now know I won't make it.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#208: Billy Goodman

Billy Goodman

I) Billy Goodman --> '62 Houston Colt .45's

Sweet! A chance to add the Colt .45's to my list of teams!

I) Billy Goodman --> '62 Houston Colt .45's --> Dave Giusti

II) Giusti --> '77 Athletics
II) Giusti --> '77 Cubs

I'll go with the Cubs here.

II) Giusti --> '77 Cubs --> Rick Reuscel, Ray Burris, Dennis Lamp, Manny Trillo, Bobby Murcer, Larry Biitner
      III) Biittner --> '74 - '76 Expos
      III) Burris --> '80 - '83 Expos
      III) Lamp --> '88 - '89 Red Sox
      III) Murcer --> '80 - '83 Yankees
      III) Reuscel --> '81 Yankees
      III) Reuscel --> '91 Giants
      III) Trillo --> '83 Expos

Lots of choices here. I'm going to take Reuscel's last season though and try to take a break from using one of my "Big 3".

      III) Reuscel --> '91 Giants --> Kevin Mitchell, Willie McGee
              IV) Mitchell --> '98 Athletics
              IV) McGee --> '95 Red Sox

Although there are likely many more players on the '91 Giants squad that played with Stairs, I stopped when I reached one that played for Boston.

1. Billy Goodman played for the 1962 Colt .45's with Dave Giusti.
2. Dave Giusti played for the 1977 Chicago Cubs with Rick Reuscel.
3. Rick Reuscel played for the 1991 San Francisco Giants with Willie McGee.
4. Willie McGee played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#207: Frank Foreman

Frank Foreman

Another turn of the century player. At least he played in the early 1900's.

I) Frank Foreman --> '02 Orioles --> Roger Bresnahan

II) Bresnahan --> '15 Cubs --> Bob O'Farrell
      III) O'Farrell --> '35 Cardinals --> Ed Heusser, Dizzy Dean, Joe Medwick, Terry Moore
              IV) Dean --> '47 St. Louis Browns
              IV) Heusser --> '48 Phillies
              IV) Medwick --> '48 Cardinals
              IV) Moore --> '48 Cardinals

Tough choices here. I have two Hall of Famers here. I suspect the '48 Cardinals will take me along the same path as the '49 club, so I'll skip that and try the Browns team first.

              IV) Dean --> '47 St. Louis Browns --> Ellis Kinder, Les Moss
                     V) Kinder --> '57 White Sox
                     V) Moss --> '58 White Sox

Kinder has been done already, no dice there. Also, I can reasonably expect that Minnie Minoso will be the next connecting player for the '58 team, just as he was in '57.

I'll give the Phillies team a fighting chance before I call this one.

              IV) Heusser --> '48 Phillies --> Curt Simmons, Robin Roberts
                     V) Roberts --> '66 Astros
                     V) Roberts --> '66 Cubs
                     V) Simmons --> '67 Cubs
                     V) Simmons --> '67 Angels

Both of these players are connected. This is a dead end.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#206: Jophrey Brown

Jophrey Brown

I) Jophrey Brown --> '68 Cubs

I have the '67 Cubs team already, so this may be a quick one.

I) Jophrey Brown --> '68 Cubs --> Joe Niekro

Yep, that was easy.

1. Jophrey Brown played for the 1968 Chicago Cubs with Joe Niekro.
2. Joe Niekro played for the 1988 Minnesota Twins with Eric Bullock.
3. Eric Bullock played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#205: John Doyle

John Doyle

Another old guy, but check out those muttonchops on his B-R page!

I) John Doyle --> 1882 St. Louis Brown Stockings --> Charlie Comiskey

II) Comiskey --> 1894 Reds --> Jesse Tannehill
      III) Tannehill --> '11 Reds --> Rube Benton, Hank Severeid
              IV) Benton --> '25 Reds
              IV) Severeid --> '26 Washington Senators
              IV) Severeid --> '26 Yankees

I'm ending here, as there is no chance of me even coming close to my goal.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#204: Ray Rippelmeyer

Ray Rippelmeyer

I) Ray Rippelmeyer --> '62 Washington Senators --> Claude Osteen, Ed Brinkman, John Kennedy

II) Brinkman --> '75 Cardinals
II) Brinkman --> '75 Rangers
II) Brinkman --> '75 Yankees
II) Kennedy --> '74 Red Sox
II) Osteen --> '75 White Sox

Wow. 5 different teams here, and only the '75 Cardinals have been connected. Hmmm...Brinkman and Osteen were both All-Stars, but Kennedy played for the Red Sox...

II) Kennedy --> '74 Red Sox --> Jim Rice

What can I say? Go Red Sox!

1. Ray Rippelmeyer played for the 1962 Washington Senators with John Kennedy.
2. John Kennedy played for the 1974 Boston Red Sox with Jim Rice.
3. Jim Rice played for the 1988 Boston Red Sox with Rick Cerone.
4. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#203: R.A. Dickey

R.A. Dickey

I) R.A. Dickey --> 2006 Rangers

It's been awhile since we've had a direct link!

1. R.A. Dickey played for the 2006 Texas Rangers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 1

#202: Terry Larkin

Terry Larkin

Old guy = exercise in futility...

I) Terry Larkin --> 1880 Troy Trojans --> Dan Brouthers

II) Brouthers --> '04 New York Giants --> Red Ames
      III) Ames --> '19 Cardinals
      III) Ames --> '19 Phillies

Let's try the Cardinals first.

      III) Ames --> '19 Cardinals --> Rogers Hornsby

Dead end here, as we have Hornsby connected and I know it's 5 more degrees from here.

      III) Ames --> '19 Phillies --> Eppa Rixey
              IV) Rixey --> '33 Reds --> Si Johnson, Rollie Hemsley, Ernie Lombardi
                     V) Hemsley --> '47 Phillies
                     V) Johnson --> '47 Boston Braves
                     V) Lombardi --> '47 New York Giants

Done. All for of those teams are connected.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: Over 6

#201: Joe Redfield

Joe Redfield

I) Redfield --> '91 Pirates --> Stan Belinda, Zane Smith

I have to admit, one year away from Stairs' rookie year, I would have thought there would be more direct links. Both these players played with Stairs the same year, so we'll use previously connected Zane Smith.

1. Joe Redfield played for the 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates with Zane Smith.
2. Zane Smith played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

The Curious Case of Matt Stairs

I came across this article today and thought I'd share it. A good read on the interesting career of our muse, Matt Stairs.

The Curious Case of Matt Stairs by Matthew Coller

200 Players - The Stats

Back in September, I reached 100 players that I attempted to connect to Matt Stairs. I put together some stats that offered a fun glimpse at what kind of success I was having. Now that I've done 200, I'll post the same set of stats, and see how things have changed over the course of 100 posts.

Lifetime Record: 182-18 (91% success rate)

This is the exact same success rate I had in September! The law of averages may be taking a quick hold here!



Degrees

Breakdown:
1 Degree: 9 (up 2 from September)
2 Degrees: 61 (up 31)
3 Degrees: 37 (up 17)
4 Degrees: 25 (up 15)
5 Degrees: 16 (up 5)
6 Degrees: 34 (up 21)
7+ Degrees: 18 (up 9)

Over half of my new players were either 2 or 6 degrees.

Average Number of Degrees (Successes only): 3.44 degrees (up 0.15) - a very small increase


Teams:

Total Connected Teams Listed: 317 (up 149)

By decade:
1910's - 22 (up 12)
1920's - 21 (up 10)
1930's - 24 (up 11)
1940's - 30 (up 19)
1950's - 32 (up 13)
1960's - 26 (up 13)
1970's - 42 (up 16)
1980's - 36 (up 17)
1990's - 39 (up 19)
2000's - 41 (up 17)
2010 - 5 (up 2)

Pretty consistent here, not too much variation

Top 10 Teams, By Appearance:
1. Expos (106) - no change in standing
2. Orioles (39) - no change
3. Athletics (34) - no change
4. Phillies (26) - up 3 places
5. Red Sox (24) - no change
6. Cubs (22) - down 1 place
7. White Sox (20) - up 1 place
8. Indians (19) - down 4 places
9. Braves (17) - up 1 place
10. Yankees (16) - down 2 places

Dropped off: Dodgers, Giants
10T. Dodgers (11)
10T. Giants (11)

No one is going to catch the Expos.


Players:

Total Connecting Players Used: 382 (up 183)

Hall of Fame Players Used: 51 (up 23)

Hall of Fame Players Connected: 7 (up 4)

#200: Clarence Kraft

Clarence Kraft

I) Clarence Kraft --> '14 Boston Braves --> Dolph Luque, Rabbit Maranville

II) Luque --> '35 New York Giants
II) Maranville --> '35 Boston Braves

Edge goes to Rabbit.

II) Maranville --> '35 Boston Braves --> Ray Mueller

We have a connected player.

1. Clarence Kraft played for the 1914 Boston Braves with Rabbit Maranville.
2. Rabbit Maranville played for the 1935 Boston Braves with Ray Mueller.
3. Ray Mueller played for the 1951 Boston Braves with Lew Burdette.
4. Lew Burdette played for the 1967 California Angels with Aurelio Rodriguez.
5. Aurelio Rodriguez played for the 1983 Baltimore Orioles with Dennis Martinez.
6. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6