Herm Merritt

Herman G. Merritt

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• Debut August 24, 1921
• Final Game October 2, 1921
• Born November 12, 1900 in Independence, KS USA
• Died May 26, 1927 in Kansas City, MO USA

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Biographical Information

Herm Merritt had an impressive several weeks with the Detroit Tigers in 1921, putting up a batting line of .370/.396/478 at age 20. His batting average was beat by teammates and veterans Harry Heilmann and player-manager Ty Cobb, who hit .394 and .389 respectively, but his future looked bright.

Herm was in 20 games total, and appeared in 17 at shortstop, a position previously owned by veteran Donie Bush, but after a very long career with the Tigers, Donie was let go on waivers by the Tigers on August 20th. Herm played his first game on August 24th. However, at the start of the 1922 season, the Tigers went with 25-year-old Topper Rigney at shortstop. Per Wikipedia, Herm was sent to the Augusta Tygers to start that season. After some games in April, Merritt and some teammates were in an auto accident, and it was thought Herm would die. However, he underwent surgery, stayed for months in the hospital, and did not die then. He survived until 1927, when he died at age 26.

One can only wonder what he might have accomplished if not for the accident.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Herm Merritt