Jim Essian – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Essian played over a decade in Major League Baseball as a reliable catcher for five different teams from 1973 to 1984. Born James Sarkis Essian Jr. on January 2, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, he managed to carve out a respectable career behind the plate during an era when teams valued catchers mostly for their defensive skills rather than offense.

He moved from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Cleveland Indians.

Essian retired from professional baseball after the 1984 season at age 33, wrapping up an 11-year MLB career with a .244 batting average, 33 home runs, and 307 RBIs in 710 games. Oakland released him at the end of spring training in 1985, but he played briefly in the minors before shifting into coaching and management.

Jim Essian’s story goes way beyond his stats. He rose from an undrafted free agent to a major league regular, enjoyed his best years with the “South Side Hit Men” Chicago White Sox, and later moved into coaching and managing.

His career says a lot about what it takes to be a journeyman catcher during baseball’s changing times in the ’70s and early ’80s. It’s a story of perseverance and constant adaptation in the world of pro sports.

Early Life and Personal Background

James Sarkis Essian grew up in a large Armenian-American family in Detroit, Michigan, born on January 2, 1951. In high school, he stood out as a multi-sport athlete and even earned all-state honors in football before he picked baseball as his path.

Birth and Family Origins

James Sarkis Essian Jr. was born on January 2, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the fourth of thirteen kids.

His father worked as an Armenian house painter who immigrated to the U.S. That Armenian heritage later made Essian notable as the first manager of Armenian descent in MLB history.

Essian learned hard work and perseverance growing up in a crowded, working-class household. His dad’s trade kept the family afloat during those early years.

Being one of so many siblings shaped Essian’s competitive edge and his drive to stand out. Those early days in a full house probably toughened him up for the challenges of professional baseball.

Education and Amateur Baseball

Essian went to Troy High School in Troy, Illinois, where he shined in multiple sports. He played both football and baseball at a high level.

He was especially impressive on the football field, earning all-state honors as a linebacker and fullback. That versatility and athleticism didn’t go unnoticed.

Colleges lined up to recruit him for football. Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Texas all offered scholarships.

Even with those tempting football offers, Essian decided to chase a future in baseball. It was a bold move, and honestly, it looked risky at first since no Major League team drafted him.

Early Influences on His Baseball Career

Essian picked baseball over football because he loved the game, plain and simple. He figured he’d have a better shot as a catcher than anywhere else.

He started learning the ins and outs of catching in high school. The mental stuff—calling games, managing pitchers—just seemed to click for him.

His Armenian roots and blue-collar upbringing gave him a solid work ethic. Watching his dad master a trade taught Essian the value of really knowing your craft.

Even after teams passed on him in the draft, Essian didn’t give up. The Philadelphia Phillies signed him as an undrafted free agent in August 1969, and that finally got his pro career rolling.

MLB Career Overview

Jim Essian played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1984, finishing with a .244 batting average, 33 home runs, and 207 RBIs over 710 games. He got his start in Philadelphia with limited chances before finding more playing time in Chicago and Oakland.

Philadelphia Phillies Debut

Essian made his MLB debut on September 15, 1973, with the Philadelphia Phillies at just 22. The Phillies had signed him as an undrafted free agent from Arizona State back in 1969 when he was just 18.

His early years were rough. He bounced up and down between the majors and minors, and in three seasons with Philadelphia, he only got 24 big league at-bats.

On May 7, 1975, the Phillies traded Essian, Barry Bonnell, and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Dick Allen and Johnny Oates. His time in Atlanta barely even started. Just eight days later, on May 15, the Chicago White Sox picked him up as the player to be named later in a December 1974 deal.

That whirlwind of trades finally ended his short stint with Philadelphia and set him up for more meaningful chances elsewhere.

Chicago White Sox Years

Essian got his most playing time with the Chicago White Sox during two stints—1976-1977 and again in 1981. The 1976 season was a breakthrough for him, and he finally saw regular action behind the plate.

He made a name for himself as a defensive catcher in 1976, finishing second among AL catchers in caught stealing percentage. That year, he really showed he could control the running game.

In 1977, Essian put up his best offensive numbers with Chicago. He hit 10 homers, drove in 44 runs, and posted a .374 on-base percentage. Not bad at all for a catcher who was known more for his glove.

Essian came back to the White Sox in 1981 after three years with Oakland. He backed up future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk during this second run with Chicago. On December 11, 1981, Chicago traded him along with Todd Cruz and Rod Allen to the Seattle Mariners for Tom Paciorek.

Oakland Athletics Contributions

The Oakland Athletics picked up Essian in 1978, and he spent three solid seasons there from 1978 to 1980 before a short return in 1984. Oakland gave him some of his most consistent big-league playing time.

In 1978, Essian played in a career-high 126 games for the A’s. That was the most action he ever saw in a single MLB season.

His defensive skills peaked in 1979 when he led all AL catchers in range factor. That stat shows how well a player gets to balls in play, and Essian’s numbers highlighted his mobility and smarts behind the plate.

Oakland brought him back for the 1984 season, but it didn’t last long. At 33, he got released at the end of spring training on March 31, 1985. That move pretty much closed the book on his 12-year major league career.

Stints with Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians

Essian wrapped up his playing days with short stops on two American League teams. He joined the Seattle Mariners in 1982 via trade, then moved to the Cleveland Indians in 1983, serving as a backup catcher both times.

Seattle Mariners Experience

Essian landed in Seattle on December 11, 1981, when the White Sox traded him, Todd Cruz, and Rod Allen to the Mariners for Tom Paciorek. That deal marked another chapter in Essian’s journey as a journeyman catcher.

In 1982, Essian mostly worked as a reserve catcher for the Mariners. They leaned on his veteran experience and steady defense.

His time in Seattle was pretty short, just one season. The Mariners used him mainly in a backup role, which fit where he was in his career.

That year with Seattle was part of Essian’s shift from regular playing time to more specialized duties. Even as a backup, his experience meant something to the young Mariners club.

Cleveland Indians Highlights

After Seattle, Essian joined the Cleveland Indians for the 1983 season. He kept up his pattern of short-term gigs with different teams toward the end of his playing days.

With Cleveland, he again backed up behind the plate. The Indians counted on his defense and his veteran presence in the clubhouse.

1983 with Cleveland was one of his last real shots in the majors. When the Indians needed him, he delivered steady defense.

He only spent one season with Cleveland before finishing up with the Oakland A’s in 1984. His time with the Indians showed he could adapt to new teams and roles, even late in his career.

Career Statistics and Performance

Over his 12 years in MLB, Jim Essian put up a .244 batting average, 33 home runs, and 207 RBIs in 710 games. Those numbers fit the mold of a defensive-minded catcher from the ’70s and early ’80s.

Batting Average and Hitting Prowess

Essian kept a steady .244 career batting average through his 12 MLB seasons. That’s about what you’d expect from catchers back then—defense first, offense second.

His best year at the plate came in 1977 with the White Sox, when he hit .273. That season, he also posted a .374 on-base percentage and a .435 slugging percentage.

Essian’s hitting numbers shifted depending on the team. He did best with Chicago, batting .267 over three seasons. In Oakland, his average dipped to .233.

He finished his career with 453 total hits, 231 walks, and 171 strikeouts. Not bad plate discipline for a catcher, honestly.

Home Runs and Offensive Impact

Essian wasn’t a big slugger—he was more of a contact guy. He wrapped up his career with 33 home runs and 207 RBI in 710 games.

His best power showing came in 1977, when he hit 10 home runs for Chicago. That single season made up a good chunk of his career total.

Most of his offensive impact came from situational hitting instead of pure power. He hit 85 doubles, showing he could drive the ball into the gaps.

His .347 career slugging percentage and .673 OPS were modest, but that’s pretty typical for catchers of his day. He wasn’t a league-average hitter, but teams valued his defense.

Retirement and Later Involvement in Baseball

Jim Essian finished his playing career in 1984 after 12 seasons, but he didn’t stay away from baseball for long. He soon moved into managing and coaching, which eventually brought him back to the big leagues in a different role.

Circumstances Surrounding 1984 Retirement

Essian played his last MLB game in 1984 with the Cleveland Indians. Those final seasons saw him bounce between a few teams, including the Indians and Mariners.

Oakland cut him during spring training in 1985, which officially ended his big-league playing days.

Through his 12 MLB seasons, Essian posted a .244 batting average with 33 home runs and 207 RBIs in 710 games. He played for five teams: the Phillies, White Sox, Athletics, Mariners, and Indians.

Most of the time, he worked as a backup catcher. The 1984 season was his last shot to contribute at the top level.

Post-Playing Career and Managerial Tenure

Essian jumped straight into management after he finished playing. In 1985, he took over as player-manager for the Miami Marlins in the independent Florida State League. He even got on the field himself for 28 games that season.

The next year, the Chicago Cubs organization brought him in to manage in their minor league system. Essian started at single-A Winston-Salem, then headed to AA Pittsfield for a couple of seasons.

He always pushed for aggressive baserunning and liked to take strategic risks. “You could characterize my team as being one that continuously forces the defense to make a play,” Essian told the Rock Hill Herald back in 1988.

In 1991, Essian hit his biggest milestone when the Chicago Cubs named him manager after firing Don Zimmer. He made history as the first manager of Armenian heritage in Major League Baseball.

His Cubs tenure lasted just one season, ending with a 59-63 record. Even though 15 players on the roster had played for him in the minors, the Cubs didn’t keep him on for 1992.

Legacy and Recognition

Jim Essian’s impact on baseball goes way beyond his stats. A lot of people in the sport recognize him as a significant figure in Major League Baseball.

Baseball institutions and official records have acknowledged his contributions. That’s not something every former player can say.

Impact on Major League Baseball

Essian holds a pretty unique spot in baseball history as the first manager of Armenian heritage to run a Major League team. When he took over the Cubs in 1991, he really opened the door for more diversity in baseball management.

He played for 12 seasons, from 1973 to 1984. Over 710 games with five teams, he put together a .244 batting average, hit 33 home runs, and drove in 207 runs. Sports Reference LLC and Retrosheet have all those numbers in their databases.

The 1977 Chicago White Sox, the ones they called the “South Side Hit Men,” probably stand out as his most memorable team moment. Essian caught for that team during their wild offensive run, and they almost grabbed the AL West title.

His influence reached plenty of other major leaguers through his mentoring and leadership. Players called him “Skip” while he managed, which says a lot about the respect he earned in the clubhouse.

Recognition by Baseball Institutions

Baseball reference sites keep track of Essian’s career achievements and milestones. You can find his full statistical record on Baseball-Reference.com, StatsCrew.com, and The Baseball Cube, so researchers and fans can always look up his contributions.

Someone even created a Cubs blog called “Hire Jim Essian” in his honor. The blog has an author character named “Skip,” which is a nod to Essian’s favorite nickname among players.

When the Cubs appointed him as manager, it became a pretty big deal for diversity in baseball leadership. Official MLB records and historical accounts highlight this achievement.

Sports Reference LLC tracks his playing career in detail, noting his .244 career average and defensive stats. Retrosheet also keeps game-by-game data from his playing days, making sure there’s a permanent record of what he did on the field.