Merrill Combs – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Merrill Russell “Merl” Combs isn’t exactly a household name in baseball history, but his story is one of grit and sticking with it through some of the sport’s toughest times.

Born in Los Angeles in 1919, Combs tried to build a pro baseball career, but World War II interrupted things. He still managed to play five seasons in Major League Baseball before he hung up his cleats in 1952.

Combs played 140 games across five MLB seasons from 1947 to 1952. He worked as a utility infielder for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians, finishing with a .202 batting average before moving into scouting.

His time in baseball was about more than his short major league run. He had some big moments in the Pacific Coast League and later carved out a long post-playing career that kept him around the game for decades.

From his early days at Fremont High School in Los Angeles to his last season in the minors, Combs’ career stretched through baseball’s golden age. He showed what life was really like for lots of talented players who spent most of their careers in the minors.

His journey through pro baseball gives you a real look at the ups and downs that shaped the sport in the 1940s and 1950s.

Early Life and Education

Merrill Russell Combs was born December 11, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. His family had Kentucky roots and not a lot of money.

He got his start in professional baseball at John C. Fremont High School, where he played American Legion ball and earned a spot at the University of Southern California.

Family Background and Origins

Merrill was the second of five boys. His parents, Lewis W. Combs and Anna Christine Stroble, both came from Kentucky and moved to California.

The family had English and German ancestry. Lewis worked as an auto mechanic and later as a garage foreman, at least according to the 1920 U.S. census.

They lived on the west side of Los Angeles, and Merrill went to 68th Street School for elementary. The Combs family didn’t have much, but they gave their sons a stable home.

Maybe that Kentucky background helped spark Merrill’s interest in baseball, since the state had a strong tradition in the sport.

High School Achievements

Merrill went to John C. Fremont High School, which turned out to be a legendary spot for major league talent. Fremont High sent 25 players to the majors, making it a powerhouse in Los Angeles.

During his time there, Merrill played American Legion baseball. That program gave him solid training and real game experience at a young age.

The school’s baseball program had a reputation for tough standards and really good coaches. Merrill’s success at Fremont set him up for college ball and, eventually, a shot at the pros.

College Baseball at University of Southern California

After Fremont, Merrill enrolled at USC. He played varsity baseball for two years while keeping up with his classes.

As a shortstop for the Trojans, Merrill got noticed. In June 1941, he made the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star team—one of just four Trojans to do it that year.

His college play caught the eye of pro scouts. The Boston Red Sox came calling and signed him. Once he graduated from USC, the Red Sox sent him to their Class-B affiliate, the Greensboro Red Sox in North Carolina’s Piedmont League.

Minor League Beginnings

Merrill Combs kicked off his pro baseball career in 1941, right after USC. He’d earned All-Star honors in the California Intercollegiate Baseball Association.

His minor league journey took him through several teams and leagues. He shined in the Pacific Coast League before finally making it to the majors.

Signing with Boston Red Sox Organization

Combs signed with the Boston Red Sox right after finishing at USC in 1941. He’d built a solid resume as a shortstop, even making the All-Star team that June.

The Red Sox liked what they saw and wasted no time. As soon as he finished college, they sent him to their Class-B team in the Piedmont League.

That signing meant a lot for a kid from Los Angeles. He got to join a respected organization with a strong farm system.

Time with Greensboro Red Sox

Combs started his pro career with the Greensboro Red Sox in North Carolina’s Class-B Piedmont League. He made an immediate splash, hitting a triple in his first game on June 12, 1941.

He joined the team mid-season but still played in 92 games for Greensboro. He finished with a .288 batting average and two home runs as a rookie. His glove work at shortstop looked promising, though he posted a .942 fielding percentage.

Manager Heinie Manush really liked what he saw. Manush even said Combs was “a better prospect than either Eddie Pellagrini or Johnny Pesky,” both of whom made the majors later.

That strong first season put Combs on the Red Sox’s radar for advancement. But then military service interrupted his climb.

Playing for Scranton Red Sox

After 46 months in the U.S. Army during World War II, Combs came back to baseball in 1946 with the Scranton Red Sox. The team played in the Class-A Eastern League, which was a step up from where he’d started.

Combs struggled at the plate after the war, batting just .218 with Scranton. The long layoff from military service clearly threw off his timing and conditioning.

His defense stayed solid, but hitting was a challenge. Even so, the Red Sox invited him to spring training with the big club.

They still saw him as a possible utility infielder. That season was kind of a reset for him after so much time away from the game.

Notable Seasons with Louisville Colonels and Columbus Red Birds

In 1947, Combs split his Triple-A year between the Louisville Colonels and Columbus Red Birds, both American Association teams. He also played briefly for Toronto, batting .206 in 22 games through mid-June.

He improved in the American Association, hitting .237 over 103 games with Louisville and Columbus. That was a notable jump from his tough year in Scranton.

Playing at Triple-A, just a step below the majors, really helped him get ready for the next level. The Red Sox used these assignments to see if he was major league material.

His time with those teams showed he could adapt and play multiple roles. Eventually, he got the call-up to Boston in September.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Merrill Combs played 140 games over five seasons from 1947 to 1952, moving around three teams during his short major league stint.

His batting average of .202 showed he was more of a defensive specialist than a big hitter.

MLB Debut and Boston Red Sox Years

Combs made his major league debut on September 12, 1947, at Fenway Park with the Red Sox. He came in as a third baseman, batting eighth against the Cleveland Indians.

In his first at-bat, he singled to right. Then, he hit a three-run homer off Bob Lemon in the eighth inning.

Later, he added an RBI single in the ninth, driving in Don Gutteridge for his fourth RBI of the game. Even with his big night, the Red Sox lost 11-6.

He played 17 games that season, all at third base. Combs batted .221 with six RBIs and handled 59 fielding chances without an error.

In 1949, he didn’t get much playing time. He appeared in only seven games through mid-August, with six plate appearances and three walks.

Washington Senators Period

On May 8, 1950, the Red Sox traded Combs and outfielder Tommy O’Brien to the Washington Senators for slugger Clyde Vollmer. The Senators wanted to move Sam Dente from shortstop to second base.

Combs was supposed to take over at shortstop. Dente said about him, “Not much wood, but a lot of leather.”

He played 33 games in May and June, batting .245 and scoring 19 runs. But in July, his playing time dropped, and he appeared in only four games.

On August 2, Washington picked up pitcher Gene Bearden from the Indians. The Senators sent Combs to Cleveland along with cash as part of the deal.

St. Louis Browns and Cleveland Indians Tenure

Cleveland sent Combs straight to their San Diego Padres farm team. He hit .283 in 50 Pacific Coast League games, adding three home runs.

The St. Louis Browns grabbed Combs in the Rule 5 draft on November 16, 1950. He trained with them but never played a regular season game for the Browns.

On April 1, 1951, the Indians got Combs and infielder Snuffy Stirnweiss back from St. Louis. They needed infield help after losing Lou Boudreau to Boston.

Combs played his last two seasons with Cleveland in 1951 and 1952. In 1951, he appeared in 19 games and batted .179 in 31 plate appearances.

In 1952, he played 52 games and had 155 plate appearances. He batted .165 with one home run and 10 RBIs.

Career Stats and Memorable Moments

Career Totals:

• Games: 140
• Batting Average: .202
• Home Runs: 2
• RBIs: 25
• On-Base Percentage: .314
• Fielding Percentage: .970

Combs hit his second and last major league home run on July 4, 1952, in Detroit. That solo shot came in an 11-0 Indians win over the Tigers.

He also hit a game-winning homer against the Brooklyn Dodgers on August 6, 1951, but that was during an exhibition game. Interleague play wasn’t a thing back then.

His knack for drawing walks helped him reach a .314 on-base percentage. Combs batted left-handed and stood six feet tall, weighing 172 pounds.

People often praised his defense. Sportswriters called him a “slick-fielding” player who “could play first string for virtually any other major league team.”

Key Seasons and Final MLB Year: 1952

Merrill Combs wrapped up his big league career in 1952 with the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 52 games and batted .165, making it his busiest season since coming back from military service.

His last year included a memorable Fourth of July home run and closed out a five-year MLB journey that started with a bang in 1947.

Performance Highlights in 1952

Combs got his most playing time in 1952, coming to the plate 155 times in 52 games for Cleveland. His batting average of .165 was a career low, but he still managed to drive in 10 runs.

The big moment that year came on July 4, 1952, in Detroit. Combs hit a solo homer as the Indians crushed the Tigers in a doubleheader, winning 11-0 and 10-1. That was his second and final home run in the majors.

Even with the low average, Combs stuck around because of his glove. His defense kept him in the majors, even when he struggled at the plate.

He got a lot more playing time in 1952 compared to previous years. In 1951, he’d only played 19 games with 31 plate appearances, batting .179.

Teams and Trades Leading to Retirement

Combs landed in Cleveland after a tangled web of trades that started back in 1950. The Boston Red Sox shipped him off to the Washington Senators in May that year, and he played 33 games before Washington sent him to Cleveland in August.

The Cleveland Indians picked up Combs and some cash from Washington for Gene Bearden on August 2, 1950. Cleveland sent him to their San Diego farm team, where he managed a .283 average in 50 Pacific Coast League games.

After a quick stop with the St. Louis Browns via the Rule 5 draft in November 1950, Combs found himself back in Cleveland by April 1951. The Indians had just lost shortstop Lou Boudreau to Boston and needed more infield options.

Cleveland kept Combs on their roster for 1951 and 1952, using him as a utility infielder. He filled in wherever needed when injuries hit the regular starters.

Comparisons with Team Members and Opponents

Combs played backup infielder behind Cleveland’s more established stars. His .165 batting average in 1952 stood out—though not in the best way—compared to teammates who usually hit over .200.

The Indians had plenty of strong hitters in 1952, so Combs’ defense-first style became valuable, but it also meant he didn’t get as much playing time. His career .202 batting average showed he was more about the glove than the bat, especially in an era that really favored offense.

Baseball Almanac says Combs played in 140 games over five seasons from 1947 to 1952. He posted a .314 on-base percentage, which suggests he knew how to draw a walk and keep himself in the lineup.

Teammates and opponents often praised Combs’ defense compared to other utility infielders of his time. His .970 career fielding percentage backed up his reputation as a steady defender who could handle almost any infield spot.

Pacific Coast League and Final Playing Years

Merrill Combs spent a big chunk of his career in the Pacific Coast League. He played under legendary manager Casey Stengel with the Oakland Oaks, then wrapped up his professional baseball career with the Seattle Rainiers and Sacramento Solons through 1954.

Oakland Oaks and Casey Stengel

In February 1948, the Boston Red Sox sent Combs to the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. He played for Casey Stengel, who would later become a household name with the New York Yankees.

The Pacific Coast League ran longer seasons than most leagues, which gave Combs a lot of playing time. He played 175 games for the Oaks, covering 133 at shortstop and 40 at third base.

Combs put up one of his better offensive seasons in Oakland. He hit .271, knocked 10 home runs, and drove in 69 runs. He also showed good patience at the plate, drawing 83 walks for a .364 on-base percentage.

Stengel’s guidance really helped Combs grow as a player. Years later, he reconnected with Billy Martin, another Stengel protégé from Oakland. That connection eventually opened coaching doors with the Texas Rangers in the 1970s.

Toronto Maple Leafs Experience

Before heading to Oakland, Combs spent a short time with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1947. The Red Sox assigned him to Triple-A after he showed some promise in spring training.

He played 22 games for Toronto by June 17 but struggled at the plate, hitting just .206. That stint ended in mid-June, and he moved on to other teams.

After Toronto, he played 103 games in the American Association, splitting time between Louisville and Columbus and hitting .237 overall. That was enough to get him called up to the majors with Boston in September 1947.

Seattle Rainiers and Sacramento Solons

When his big league run ended in 1952, Combs headed back to the Pacific Coast League. The Cleveland Indians sold him to the Seattle Rainiers in January 1953. He played a full season for Seattle, logging 156 games and batting .265 with eight homers.

He had a standout game on June 16, 1953, when he hit two home runs. It was a reminder that he could still swing the bat at the Triple-A level.

Combs started the 1954 season with Seattle but ran into trouble at the plate, hitting just .206 in 43 games. By early June, Seattle traded him to the Sacramento Solons.

His numbers picked up with Sacramento, where he played 92 more games. He finished the season hitting .245, ending his minor league career on a solid note.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

Sacramento released Combs in February 1955, closing the book on his 14-year professional baseball run. He played from 1941 through 1954, taking a break for military service during World War II.

He wrapped up his minor league career with a .261 average, 27 home runs, and 217 RBIs in 702 games. Those stats don’t scream superstar, but they show he was a steady contributor.

After hanging up his spikes, Combs jumped into business and scouting. He became a fountain sales rep for Pepsi-Cola in Los Angeles. His baseball smarts landed him scouting gigs with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers.

Post-Playing Career and Personal Life

When Merrill Combs retired from professional baseball in 1954, he didn’t leave the game behind. He moved into coaching and scouting, staying active in baseball for decades. He also worked as a sales rep for Pepsi-Cola while building a long scouting career, eventually working with the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians until he passed away from lung cancer in 1981.

Coaching with Texas Rangers

Combs joined the Texas Rangers in 1974 as first-base coach under manager Billy Martin. The two had become friends while playing together for Casey Stengel with the Oakland Oaks.

He coached for two seasons, 1974 and 1975, working closely with players on base-running and infield defense.

After the 1975 season, Combs left coaching but stayed with the Rangers as a scout starting in 1976. He kept that role until his death in 1981.

Scouting and Later Roles in Baseball

Combs built a long scouting career that stretched nearly two decades. He started with the Cincinnati Reds from 1962 to 1963, then moved to the New York Mets in 1964.

His biggest scouting years came with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1965 to 1973. He supervised seven scouts and signed several notable players, including Alan Bannister, Scott Reid, Dick Ruthven, and Roy Thomas.

After his coaching time with Texas, Combs went back to scouting as a California-area scout for the Cleveland Indians in late 1975. He kept scouting for Cleveland until he died, showing just how much he loved finding and developing baseball talent.

Personal Life, Death, and Legacy

Combs married Phyllis Luanna Eichar on October 4, 1941, right before he served in World War II. They had three daughters: Caryl Sue, Cindy Lynn, and Christyann, who arrived nine years after her sisters.

After his playing days, Combs worked as a fountain sales rep for Pepsi-Cola in Los Angeles. He lived in San Gabriel and juggled his sales job with baseball scouting.

Combs passed away from lung cancer on July 7, 1981, in Riverside, California, at 61. He was still working as a scout for the Cleveland Indians when he died, which says a lot about his lifelong dedication to baseball.

Burial and Remembrance

Combs served 46 months in the United States Army during World War II. After he passed away, his family buried him at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

He earned the rank of sergeant between 1942 and 1945. The military cemetery honors his service and also recognizes his decades-long career in American baseball.

Veterans from many conflicts rest at Riverside National Cemetery. It’s a place where people remember not just soldiers, but the lives they led beyond the battlefield.