This MLB puzzle ran on Nov 2, 2026. The task was to connect Ketel Marte to Dustin Pedroia with a chain of real players. The objective: “Your chain must include an Cy Young winner.” Par was 3 links.
Ketel Marte (2B) played in the MLB from 2015 to 2026. Career stops: the Mariners (2015 to 2016) and the Diamondbacks (2017 to 2026). 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.
Dustin Pedroia (2B) played in the MLB from 2006 to 2019. A one-team career, spent with the Red Sox (2006 to 2019). Honors in the dataset: MVP and Rookie of the Year. 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.
Ketel Marte and Dustin Pedroia 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 an award objective. At least one player in the chain has to be a winner of the named honor. Of the 11,807 players in the pool, 76 satisfy it. The best known are Greg Maddux (SP, 1986 to 2008), John Smoltz (SP, 1988 to 2009), Rollie Fingers (RP, 1968 to 1985), Dennis Eckersley (RP, 1975 to 1998), Steve Carlton (SP, 1965 to 1988), and Tom Seaver (SP, 1967 to 1986).
12 of those players share a team or college with Ketel Marte, and 17 share one with Dustin Pedroia. The Start is the tighter side, so working forward from Ketel Marte narrows the options fastest.
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.