#35: Orlando Alvarez

Orlando Alvarez

Another 70's player. Looking at the two teams he played for, I see a couple of recognizable names that I believe will help me along, including a trio of pitchers who pitched well into their 40's:

I) Orlando Alvarez --> '75 Dodgers --> Charlie Hough
I) Orlando Alvarez --> '76 Angels --> Frank Tanana, Nolan Ryan

I don't see the benefit of using one over the other yet, so I'll try them all out.

II) Hough --> '94 Florida Marlins --> David Weathers

I've already connected Weathers, he's my only direct link connection so far. I'm not going to do any better than that - sorry Frank and Nolan!

1. Orlando Alvarez played for the 1975 Los Angeles Dodgers with Charlie Hough.
2. Charlie Hough played for the 1994 Florida Marlins with David Weathers.
3. David Weathers played for the 2001 Chicago Cubs with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 3

#34: Pete Redfern

Pete Redfern

There's only a 10 year gap between Redfern and Stairs, so I know I can make my connection. However I still need a plan. Looking at the '82 Twins, there's no shortage of players who played until at least 1992. I know some players here played for the Red Sox at some point in their careers, so I'll see if I can find a connection there.

I) Pete Redfern --> '82 Twins --> Tom Brunansky, Frank Viola, Gary Gaetti

II) Brunansky, Viola --> '94 Red Sox

One more year later and they would have played with Tim Wakefield. However...

II) Gaetti --> 2000 Red Sox

Gaetti ended a very good career playing a handful of games for the Bosox in 2000. We have our link:

1. Pete Redfern played for the 1982 Minnesota Twins 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

Another successful link using Tim Wakefield. This is my Red Sox bias showing through. I'm familiar enough with the Red Sox teams of the 90's and onward that I know if I can find anyone who played for Boston from 1995 until now is as good a linked.

#33: Terry Puhl

Terry Puhl

Puhl last played in 1991. This should be easy.

1. Terry Puhl played for the 1991 Kansas City Royals with Mike Macfarlane.
2. Mike McFarlane played for the 1999 Oakland Athletics with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

I had to go back and check, but for a moment I though I duplicated Keith Miller. Instead, I had confused Mike Sweeney with Mike Macfarlane. I wonder if anyone on those Royals teams got the two mixed up?

#32: Orlando Mercado

Orlando Mercado

1. Orlando Mercado played for the 1990 Montreal Expos with Larry Walker.
2. Larry Walker played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#31: Sam Jackson

Sam Jackson

I initially wondered if I should even try this one. There is a 120-year gap between Jackson's last season and Stairs's first. My only prayer here is a jump through the Minnie Minoso time warp.

I) Sam Jackson --> 1872 Brooklyn Atlantics --> Jack Burdock

II) Burdock --> 1891 Brooklyn Grooms --> Bones Ely, Tom Daly
      III) Ely --> '02 Senators
      III) Daly --> '03 Reds
      III) Daly --> '03 White Sox

I'm throwing in the towel here. There's no way I jump from '03 to '49 this next step. I may have to come up with some special rules for players from the 1800's.

Degrees of Matt Stairs: over 6

#30: Keith Miller

Keith Miller

1. Keith Miller played for the 1995 Kansas City Royals with Mike Sweeney.
2. Mike Sweeney played for the 2004 Kansas City Royals with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#29: Paul Sorrento

Paul Sorrento

1. Paul Sorrento played for the 1997 Seattle Mariners with Dennis Martinez.
2. Dennis Martinez played for the 1993 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#28: David Weathers

David Weathers

1. David Weathers played for the 2001 Chicago Cubs with Matt Stairs!

A direct link! My first randomly generated player who actually played with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 1

#27: Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr.

It was announced last night that baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. has retired. In honor of him, I have hand selected him for a post. (I know, small accolades compared to what he'll receive in 5 years, but we all celebrate in our own way.) I've elected to use Griffey's rookie season as my jumping point.

1. Ken Griffey Jr. played for the 1989 Seattle Mariners with Erik Hanson.
2. Erik Hanson played for the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 2

#26: Jack Killilay

Jack Killilay

I) Jack Killilay --> '11 Red Sox --> Tris Speaker

II) Speaker --> '28 Athletics --> Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons
      III) Fox --> '45 Phillies
      III) Simmons --> '44 Athletics

The Hall of Fame is doing it's part here. Looking at my table, I see the '46 Phillies on my list. If Granny Hamner playes in '45 too, I have my link.

      III) Fox --> '45 Phillies --> Granny Hamner

Granny for the win!

1. Jack Killilay played for the 1911 Boston Red Sox with Tris Speaker.
2. Tris Speaker played for the 1928 Philadelphia Athletics with Jimmie Foxx.
3. Jimmie Foxx played for the 1945 Philadelphia Phillies with Granny Hamner.
4. Granny Hamner played for the 1962 Kansas City Athletics with Fred Norman.
5. Fred Norman played for the 1980 Montreal Expos with Gary Carter.
6. Gary Carter played for the 1992 Montreal Expos with Matt Stairs!

Degrees of Matt Stairs: 6

Killilay also becomes the earliest player I've connected, with the 1911 Red Sox as the earliest team.