1952 Topps #18 Merrill Combs
1952 Topps #18 Merrill Combs
About Merrill Combs
Merrill Russell "Merl" Combs (1919-1981) was a left-handed-hitting, right-throwing shortstop out of Los Angeles who starred at USC on a four-year scholarship, batting .386 for the Trojans in 1939 before signing with the Boston Red Sox organization. After Army service in World War II, he built his reputation in the Pacific Coast League, notably with Casey Stengel's 1948 champion Oakland Oaks, where he was a PCL All-Star and formed a double-play combination with a young Billy Martin; Red Sox skipper Heinie Manush once rated him a better prospect than Johnny Pesky. Combs debuted memorably on September 12, 1947, homering off Cleveland's Bob Lemon for a three-run shot and four RBI. He never stuck as a big-league regular, however, playing just 140 games across five seasons (1947, 1949-1952) for the Red Sox, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians and hitting .202 with 73 hits, 2 home runs, and 25 RBI. This card, which shows him with the Indians, is his rookie card and comes with the black-back and red-back color variations found throughout the 1952 Topps first series (#1-80); it is not part of the scarce, sought-after high-number run (#311-407). After retiring, Combs spent decades in the game as a scout for the Reds, Mets, Phillies, and Indians and as Billy Martin's first-base coach with the Texas Rangers in 1974-75.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 740 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 90 | 161 | 188 | 239 | 2 |
| SGC | 106 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 63 | 2 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 57 · Red Back 49
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Merrill Combs card?
It is card #18 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cleveland Indians player, and is his rookie card.
Does the 1952 Topps Merrill Combs have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Merrill Combs valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.