Merrill began his baseball career as a catcher for the Maine Black Bears, where he also played football and earned a degree in physical education. He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1966 free-agent draft. He spent that season in the class-A New York–Penn League with the Batavia Clippers, and the following year with single-A teams in Bakersfield and Eugene. In 1968 and 1969, Merrill was at the double-A level with the Reading Phillies, and returned to Eugene in 1970 and 1971 while that team was at the triple-A level. His playing career ended after the 1971 season due to a leg injury.\n', '

Merrill\'s managerial career started in 1978 with the West Haven Yankees of the Eastern League. He led the team to the best overall record in the league that season, and to a first-place finish in 1979. When the Yankees moved their affiliation to the Nashville Sounds, Merrill moved as well, guiding the team to two more first-place finishes in 1980 and 1981.\n', '

In 1982 and 1983, Merrill managed the Fort Lauderdale Yankees of the Florida State League, winning the league championship in 1982. For the 1984 season, he jumped to the triple-A level, managing the Columbus Clippers to another first-place finish.\n', '

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