This MLB puzzle ran on Oct 28, 2026. The task was to connect Gary Sánchez to Jason Varitek with a chain of real players. The objective: “Every player in the chain must be a catcher.” Par was 2 links.
Gary Sánchez (C) played in the MLB from 2015 to 2026. Career stops: the Yankees (2015 to 2021), the Twins (2022), the Mets (2023), the Padres (2023), the Brewers (2024 to 2026), and the Orioles (2025). No college is on record for this player. As the Start of the chain, a household name like this gives you a lot of teammates to branch from, which makes it a friendly place to begin.
Jason Varitek (C) played in the MLB from 1997 to 2011. A one-team career, spent with the Red Sox (1997 to 2011). As the Finish of the chain, a household name like this gives you a lot of teammates to branch from, which makes it a friendly place to begin.
Gary Sánchez and Jason Varitek do not share a team or a college, so there is no direct link. You need at least one connector in between, and the objective decides which ones are allowed to count.
This was a position objective. Every player in the chain, not just one, has to fit the position listed.
One shortest chain found by searching the full player pool, preferring the best known names at every step:
Many other chains work. Scoring rewards lower-profile connectors, so the best-known route is rarely the highest scoring one.
Want more? Browse the full MLB puzzle archive, read the strategy guides, or see how scoring works on How to Play.