Center-fielder, OF, Left-handed - Cincinnati Reds 1949-1951, 1954; US Military 1952-53, Chicago Cubs 1955 A speedy flyhawk, who usually hit in the leadoff spot, Lloyd Merriman broke into the majors in 1949 with the Cincinnati Reds after signing what was during this era - a hefty bonus. As a rookie, he played in the outfield 103 games, lined 21 extra base hits, scored 35 runs and drove in 26. The next year, 1950, Cincinnati got off to their worst start in years, dropping 13 of their first 17 games, and everything looked hopeless to Reds' rookie manager Luke Sewell, so he started a platoon-system for his outfielders using Lloyd Merriman regularly against left-handed pitchers. Merriman played 92 games, batted .259, stole six bases and scored 44 runs in 1950. In 1951, Lloyd Merriman, a solid fielding outfielder, hit in streaks during most of the season until the final month when he swung a hot bat. The 6-foot, 195-pounder lined 23 doubles, 5 homers and stole 8 bases, batted .242 in 114 games, with 87 hits in 359 at-bats and had a .997 fielding average. After proudly serving in the US Military in 1952-53 he rejoined the Reds in 1954 and was used mainly as a defensive outfielder. Lloyd Merriman was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1955, and was used as a reserve outfielder-leadoff hitter, collecting 31 hits in 145 at bats for a .214 batting average. Lloyd Merriam had s very solid career .985 fielding percentage. baseballhistorian.com - Archives - Baseball during the 1950s |