Escarra’s dream Yankees debut: 1st hit in 1st start, Judge as cheerleader, a special gift for dad

Follow Us

Under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium, where legends are born and history is etched, JC Escarra finally had his moment — and it was worth the wait. In the New York Yankees’ 9-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 29-year-old rookie catcher wrote the first line of his big-league story, collecting his first MLB hit in his very first start behind the plate.

A left-handed hitter with a blue-collar path to the majors, Escarra doubled down the right-field line in the seventh inning. As he slid safely into second, he popped up and pumped his fist, eyes fixed on the Yankees dugout, where Aaron Judge and the bench erupted in celebration. For Escarra, who once drove for Uber and worked as a substitute teacher to support his dream, this was the culmination of perseverance, grit, and unshakable belief.

“I don’t know if everyone saw, I got a little bit too excited at second base,” Escarra after the win. “But just enjoying the moment, close game, big hit. I want to feel it. I want to feel everything because that’s what makes it special and it’s part of it.”

A Yankees journey no one saw coming

Escarra didn’t take the conventional route to the major leagues. After years in independent leagues and bouncing through the minor league system, he entered spring training in 2025 with a chance — not a guarantee. But he made the most of it, winning a roster spot with his energy, defensive work, and mature approach to the game.

His debut came a few days prior as a pinch hitter. But Thursday marked his first career start, a chance to showcase his skills from the first pitch. Through his first three at-bats, he was hitless and admittedly pressing.

“I was trying to do too much,” Escarra admitted. “It’s funny how baseball works. When you don’t try to do too much, that’s when good things come.”

Those good things arrived in the seventh inning. Facing Arizona left-hander Jalen Beeks, Escarra stayed on a pitch and drove it down the right-field line for a double, not only giving the Yankees a needed offensive push but carving his name into the team’s storied history. At 29, Escarra became the 13th-oldest player to make his MLB debut for the Yankees — a franchise that has seen countless stars come and go.

Yankees captain leads cheers for Escarra

What stood out as much as the hit was the reaction. No one cheered louder than the Yankees’ captain.

“We’re all pumped for that guy,” said Aaron Judge. “We know his story. But besides that, just the type of person he is, to battle through that type of adversity. He comes in every day with a smile, trying to make guys better. It’s contagious.”

Aaron Judge, a towering leader both on and off the field, has often spoken about the importance of culture and character in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Escarra, despite being a rookie at nearly 30, fits that mold perfectly.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone also recognized Escarra’s potential long before his debut.

“He’s been through so much in his career,” Boone said. “He strikes me as someone who really loves this game. He’s got some presence, some confidence in what he’s doing. And he can really swing the bat.”

Boone informed Escarra before the game that he’d be making the start. The news traveled quickly to Escarra’s wife, Jocelyn, and though his family had already left after attending his Saturday debut, they made plans to watch from afar.

A gift for dad to remember

Of course, no first hit would be complete without the baseball. The Yankees made sure to retrieve the ball — a keepsake that will be going to someone very special.

“My dad’s getting that one,” Escarra smiled. “He’s a longtime Yankees fan, lived in Yonkers for 15 years, been through a lot. He’s going to be happy.”

For a man raised in South Florida but rooted in Yankee tradition through his father, the symbolism wasn’t lost. Escarra’s journey to the majors was as much about family as it was about baseball.

More than just a feel-good story

It’s tempting to frame Escarra’s debut as a feel-good blip in a long season. But inside the Yankees organization, there’s a growing belief that his impact could extend far beyond a single hit. With veteran catcher situations in flux and depth always in demand, Escarra could prove to be a valuable contributor throughout the 2025 season.

His work with Carlos Carrasco, Thursday’s starter, was steady and confident. Having already built chemistry with Carrasco during spring training, Escarra appeared composed and in command behind the plate. That trust matters — especially on a team built for October.

The road ahead

Escarra knows this is just the beginning.

“Eventually, that feeling’s going to subside,” he said. “And I’m going to go back to the work that I put in, the baseball that I know how to play, and just compete.”

That mentality has carried him this far, from late-night Uber shifts to Yankee Stadium glory. The grind, the setbacks, the waiting — it all led to this. And if Thursday night was any indication, JC Escarra isn’t here for just one moment. He’s here to make a mark.

In a season where the Yankees are blending star power with gritty depth, Escarra’s dream debut might be more than a milestone — it might be the start of something special.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Follow Us