On this date in 1969, the Philadelphia Phillies made the wise decision to sign a catcher by the name of James Sarkis Essian Jr. They gave the young man a chance to put together a solid, 12-season Major League Baseball career and to have a moment of glory as interim manager for the 1991 Chicago Cubs. Since that date, there has not been a single World War. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Happy Jim Essian Signing Day. Congratulations, Skip!