There are two different Fred Merkle cards included in the T206 set. One is a portrait, and this version depicts the young First Baseman after finishing his throwing motion in the field. Each are equally rare, but this is the more visually interesting. Merkle, in his white New York uniform and black cap, is pictured in front of a gorgeous blue sky with clouds, while a dark blue stadium grandstand and green grass complete the image. If it weren't for some light diamond cutting and the centering being east on the canvas, this tough Polar Bear back would have graded even higher than it already did. Some surface tobacco stains are present on the front and back, and while the top left corner is a little soft, the others remain sharp. SGC has only ever graded 33 total examples of this Polar Bear back version of the Merkle, with only ONE receiving a higher grade than the EX 5 offered here.

Although he had a lengthy career, Carl Frederick Rudolf Merkle is most remembered for a controversial base-running mistake he made as a rookie in 1908 while still a teenager. The play cost the Giants the National League pennant, became famously known as "Merkle's Boner," and earned Merkle the nickname "Bonehead" for the remainder of his career, which didn't end until 1926.