Jim Essian

Manager

Jim Essian enters his tenth season as Manager of the Utica Unicorns. A fixture of the USPBL powered by Mortgage Matchup since joining the coaching staff for its inaugural 2016 season, Essian is defined by his commanding leadership and innate understanding of the player experience. His approach has built a modern dynasty in Utica, guiding the franchise to four USPBL Championships in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Essian brings over 47 years of professional experience to the dugout. He began his playing career in 1970 with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, quickly earning recognition as a Topps Rookie All-Star. He made his Major League debut in 1973 and spent the next 12 seasons catching for the Phillies, White Sox, Athletics, Mariners, and Indians.

Following his playing days, Essian transitioned to coaching in 1986. He made an immediate impact, winning a Carolina League Championship and earning Manager of the Year honors with the Winston-Salem Spirits. He climbed the ladder to become the Manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1991, making history as the first Armenian-American manager in MLB. He was inducted into the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Beyond his domestic success, Essian has served as the manager of the Greek National Baseball Team since 2007. His vast experience and personable management style have proven invaluable to USPBL athletes; during his time with the league, Essian has helped 16 players sign contracts with MLB organizations.

Email Address: jessian@uspbl.com