Jim Essian played twelve seasons in the major leagues, mostly as a catcher, and went on to a second career as a manager in the minors and majors. As a hitter, he knew how to draw a walk and had moderate power. He had seven stops in the majors, and in his best year with the bat hit 10 home runs with a .374 on-base percentage for the Chicago White Sox in 1977, a team that won 90 games. In 1991, Essian replaced Don Zimmer as the Chicago Cubs manager. This game used H&B model S2 dates from 1973-1975, and measures 34.75 in and 33.4 oz. It is authenticated, graded PSA GU 9.5 (1B27783) and is the only Essian bat in the PSA database! This ash bat is un-cracked with evidence of outstanding use. It has some grain swelling on the back barrel, and some wood loss is visible on the back barrel from the swelling. The PSA Letter of Authenticity is included. For those new to the hobby, PSA is an industry-leading bat authentication service. Your bat's serial number can be searched in the PSA online database and your PSA Letter of Authenticity provides further valuable information on the bat. Having the bat authenticated and/or graded increases its value and makes it much easier to sell the bat in the future. Before purchasing, please examine all pictures and contact us with any questions. We guarantee your satisfaction with every bat we sell. If for whatever reason you are unhappy with your purchase, we offer a 7-day money back guarantee. Shipping is fast and free!