A half-century ago today (9/8/10)

Fifty years ago today, the Braves signed a future Hall of Famer to his first professional contract: Joe Torre.

Man, he’s been around a while, hasn’t he? Given what a good player he was, I’m surprised he didn’t sign his first pro contract until he was 20 years old. That’s doubly surprising given that his brother was already a major league ballplayer; it ain’t like Torre should’ve been under anyone’s radar.

He isn’t the only famous baseball name signed on this day. On September 8, 1953, the Cubs signed Ernie Banks.