#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

#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!

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#199: Jim Hoey

Jim Hoey

It shouldn't be too difficult finding a teammate who played with Stairs here.

I) Jim Hoey --> 2007 Orioles --> Ramon Hernandez,Miguel Tejada, Corey Patterson, Paul Bako, Tike Redman, J.R. House, Alberto Castillo, Jaime Walker, Victor Zambrano

II) Bako --> 2002 Brewers
II) Bako --> 2006 Royals
II) Castillo --> 2004/2005 Royals
II) Hernandez --> '99/2000 Athletics
II) House --> 2003 Pirates
II) Patterson --> 2001 Cubs
II) Redman --> 2003 Pirates
II) Tejada --> '97-2000 Athletics
II) Walker --> 2006 Tigers
II) Zambrano --> 2007 Blue Jays

See, the hardest part was going through 49 names to get these 9. Of all these teams, the Brewers are represented the least. I'll give them some love.

1. Jim Hoey played for the 2007 Baltimore Orioles with Paul Bako.
2. Paul Bako played for the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#191: Kirk McCaskill

Kirk McCaskill

I) Kirk McCaskill --> '96 White Sox --> Jason Bere, Robert Machado, Kevin Tapini, Rich Sauveur, Frank Thomas

II) Bere/Machado/Tapani --> 2001 Cubs
II) Sauveur --> 2000 Athletics
II) Thomas --> 2007 Blue Jays

There was never any doubt who was going to get picked here.

1. Kirk McCaskill played for the 1996 Chicago White Sox with Frank Thomas.
2. Frank Thomas played for the 2007 Toronto Blue Jays with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Note: With this post I am now up to 300 Connected Teams! Awesome.

#187: Bruce Ruffin

Bruce Ruffin

My last 3 players - Hullet, Huggins, and Ruffin - almost a tongue twister there!

I) Bruce Ruffin --> Mike DeJean, Curt Leskanic, Tim Scott, Jamey Wright, John Vander Wal, Eric Young, Larry Walker,Neifi Perez

II) DeJean --> 2002 Brewers
II) Leskanic --> 2004 Royals
II) Perez --> 2006 Tigers
II) Scott --> '93 Expos
II) Vander Wal --> '92 Expos
II) Walker --> '93 Expos
II) Wright --> 2002 Brewers
II) Young --> 2001 Cubs
II) Young --> 2002 Brewers

I'm giving the nod to an All-Star who wasn't with the Expos.

1. Bruce Ruffin played for the 1997 Colorado Rockies with Eric Young.
2. Eric Young played for the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#185: Tim Hullet

Tim Hullet

I) Hullett --> '95 Cardinals --> T.J. Matthews, Ken Hill, Allen Battle

II) Battle --> '96 Athletics
II) Hill --> '93 Expos
II) Matthews --> '97 Athletics

Tie-breaker goes to the All-Star.

1. Tim Hullett played for the 1995 St. Louis Cardinals with Ken Hill.
2. Ken Hill played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#181: Bob Malloy

Bob Malloy

I) Bob Malloy --> '90 Expos

I've already linked this Expos team, so I'm going to try the only other year he played instead.

I) Bob Malloy --> '87 Rangers --> Mike Stanley

Another easy one.

1. Bob Malloy played for the 1987 Texas Rangers with Mike Stanley.
2. Mike Stanley played for the 2000 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2