#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#192: Herman Pillette

Herman Pillette

I) Herman Pillette --> '24 Tigers

This is a previously connected team. For fun, we'll use the year before.

I) Herman Pillette --> '23 Tigers --> Syl Johnson, Earl Whitehill, Heinie Manush

II) Johnson --> '40 Phillies
II) Manush --> '39 Pirates
II) Whitehill --> '39 Cubs

Gotta give the edge to the Hall of Famer - besides, his name is Heinie!

II) Manush --> '39 Pirates --> Ken Heintzelman, Bob Elliott
      III) Elliott --> '53 White Sox
      III) Heintzelman --> '52 Phillies

Both teams are connected. I'll go with Heintzelman since he's also a connected player.

1. Herman Pillette played for the 1923 Detroit Tigers with Heinie Manush.
2. Heinie Manush played for the 1939 Pittsburgh Pirates with Ken Heintzelman.
3. Ken Heintzelman played for the 1952 Philadelphia Phillies with Robin Roberts.
4. Robin Roberts played for the 1965 Houston Astros with Mike Cuellar.
5. Mike Cuellar played for the 1976 Baltimore Orioles with Dennis Martinez.
6. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#178: Ed Donnelly

Ed Donnelly

I) Ed Donnelly --> '59 Cubs

I've already connected the 1959 Cubs.

1. Ed Donnelly played for the 1959 Chicago Cubs with Tony Taylor.
2. Tony Taylor played on the 1976 Philadelphia Phillies with Dave Cash.
3. Dave Cash played on the 1977 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
4. Gary Carter played on the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#172: Homer Spragins

Homer Spragins

I) Homer Spragins --> '47 Phillies

I have the '46 Phillies team already, so there's a chance I can use the same connecting player.

I) Homer Spragins --> '47 Phillies --> Curt Simmons

II) Simmons --> '67 Cubs
II) Simmons --> '67 Angels

I already have the Angels team, so we;ll go with the Cubs.

II) Simmons --> '67 Cubs --> Fred Norman, Joe Niekro, Ken Holtzman
      III) Holtzman --> '76 Orioles
      III) Niekro --> '88 Twins
      III) Niekro --> '87 Yankees
      III) Norman --> '80 Expos

Just on a whim, I'm going to try the Twins team.

      III) Niekro --> '88 Twins --> Eric Bullock
              IV) Bullock --> '92 Expos

Done!

1. Homer Spagins played for the 1947 Philadelphia Phillies with Curt Simmons.
2. Curt Simmons played for the 1967 Chicago Cubs with Joe Niekro.
3. Joe Niekro played for the 1988 Minnesota Twins with Eric Bullock.
4. Eric Bullock played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#169: Freddie Benavides

Freddie Benavides

Ah, missed Stairs by a year on this one! Fortunately, I have the opportunity to use a favored player again.

1. Freddie Benavides played for the 1994 Montreal Expos with Pedro Martinez.
2. Pedro Martinez played for the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#168: Al Raffo

Al Raffo

I) Al Raffo --> '69 Phillies --> Woodie Fryman, Rick Wise, Jerry Johnson, Grant Jackson, Don Money, Larry Histle

II) Fryman --> '80 Expos
II) Histle --> '82 Brewers
II) Jackson --> '76 Orioles
II) Jackson --> '81 Expos
II) Johnson --> '77 Blue Jays
II) Money --> '83 Brewers
II) Wise --> '82 Padres

Looks like another Big 3 connect...

1. Al Raffo played for the 1969 Philadelphia Phillies with Woodie Fryman.
2. Woodie Fryman played for the 1980 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
3. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#166: Tim Crews

Tim Crews

I still recall reading about the tragic accident that occurred in the Spring of 1993. Continue to rest in peace, Tim Crews.

I) Tim Crews --> '92 Dodgers --> Lenny Harris, Eric Young, Rafael Bournigal, Tom Candiotti, Pedro Martinez

II) Bournigal --> '98 Athletics
II) Candiotti --> '98 Athletics
II) Harris --> 2002 Brewers
II) Martinez --> 2009 Phillies
II) Young --> 2001 Cubs
II) Young --> 2006 Rangers

There's no way I'm going to pass up the opportunity to add one of my all time favorite players!

1. Tim Crews played for the 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers with Pedro Martinez.
2. Pedro Martinez played for the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#164: Lonnie Goldstein

Lonnie Goldstein

I) Lonnie Goldstein --> '46 Reds --> Bobby Adams, Grady Hatton

II) Adams --> '59 Cubs
II) Hatton --> '60 Cubs

I've connected the '60 Cubs already, and the 1959 team features the same player I used.

1. Lonnie Goldstein played for the 1946 Cincinati Reds with Bobby Adams.
2. Bobby Adams played for the 1959 Chicago Cubs with Tony Taylor.
3. Tony Taylor played on the 1976 Philadelphia Phillies with Dave Cash.
4. Dave Cash played on the 1977 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
5. Gary Carter played on the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 5

#163: Eude Brito

Eude Brito

This guy played for the Phillies just before Stairs did. This will be an easy 2 degree jump.

1. Eude Brito played for the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies with Jaime Moyer.
2. Jaime Moyer played for the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#151: Christams Edition - Steve Christmas

Steve Christmas

Since I did special holiday editions for Halloween and Thanksgiving, I should do a Christmas one too, right? Fortunately for me, there was a player with Christmas as a last name.

I) Steve Christmas --> '86 Cubs

Hmmm... a certain pitcher started his very long career with the '86 Cubs....

1. Steve Christmas played for the 1986 Chicago Cubs with Jaime Moyer.
2. Jaime Moyer played for the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

Merry Christmas everyone!

#133: Pat Ragan

Pat Ragan

I) Pat Ragan --> '23 Phillies --> Jimmie Wilson

II) Wilson --> '40 Reds --> Eddie Joost
      III) Joost --> '55 Red Sox --> Bill Henry

Bill Henry has been connected before. I have my list.

1. Pat Ragan played for the 1923 Philadelphia Phillies with Jimmie Wilson.
2. Jimmie Wilson played for the 1940 Cincinati Reds with Eddie Joost.
3. Eddie Joost played for the 1955 Boston Red Sox with Bill Henry.
4. Bill Henry played for the 1969 Houston Astros with John Mayberry.
5. John Mayberry played for the 1979 Toronto Blue Jays with Rick Cerone.
6. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#123: Sparky Anderson

Sparky Anderson

Paying tribute to Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, who passed away yesterday.

I) Sparky Anderson --> '59 Phillies --> Chris Short

II) Short --> '73 Brewers --> Pedro Garcia, Tim Johnson
      III) Garcia --> '77 Blue Jays
      III) Johnson --> '79 Blue Jays

1. Sparky Anderson played for the 1959 Philadelphia Phillies with Chris Short.
2. Chris Short played for the 1973 Milwaukee Brewers with Tim Johnson.
3. Tim Johnson played for the 1979 Toronto Blue Jays with Rick Cerone.
4. Rick Cerone played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

Rest in peace, Sparky.

#119: Art Reinholz

Art Reinholz

2 games in 1928 - not the briefest baseball career we've seen, but still pretty brief.

I) Art Reinholz --> '28 Indians --> Mel Harder

II) Harder --> '47 Indians

I have the '47 Indians team already, so I have my chain.

1. Art Reinholz played for the 1928 Cleveland Indians with Mel Harder.
2. Mel Harder played for the 1947 Cleveland Indians with Jim Heagan.
3. Jim Heagan played on the 1960 Chicago Cubs with Tony Taylor.
4. Tony Taylor played on the 1976 Philadelphia Phillies with Dave Cash.
5. Dave Cash played on the 1977 Montreal Expos with HoF Gary Carter.
6. Gary Carter played on the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

#116: Chick King

Chick King

Chick split his last season between two teams, the Cubs and the Cardinals. Neither team is on my list of Connected Teams, although I do have the Cubs team from the following year. A quick look shows the same connecting player, Tony Taylor. We'll see where the Cardinals team takes us.

I) Chick King --> '59 Cardinals --> Tim McCarver

II) McCarver --> '80 Phillies --> Randy Lerch, Marty Bystrom, Del Unser, Pete Rose, Manny Trillo
      III) Bystrom --> '84 Yankees
      III) Lerch --> '82 Expos
      III) Rose ---> '84 Expos
      III) Trillo --> '83 Expos
      III) Unser ---> '78 Expos

Of these, the '84 Expos are the only team I don't have yet. This would get me to Stairs in 4 degrees, which would be equal if I used the Cubs team. I have my link.

1. Chick King played for the 1959 St. Louis Cardinals with Tim McCarver.
2. Tim McCarver played for the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies with Pete Rose.
3. Pete Rose played for the 1984 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
4. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 4

#111: Ed Farmer

Ed Farmer

There's a few different routes I can take here, but I'm feeling lazy. This is essentially the exact same chain as my last post.

1. Ed Farmer played for the 1974 Philadelphia Phillies with Dave Cash.
2. Dave Cash played for the 1977 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
3. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#110: Cy Acosta

Cy Acosta

Another pretty easy one. Although the '75 Phillies aren't on my Connected Teams list yet, the '76 Phillies are.

1. Cy Acosta played for the 1975 Philadelphia Phillies with Dave Cash.
2. Dave Cash played for the 1977 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
3. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3