Expected to be Judge’s show, Escarra’s power captures Yankees headlines

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Aaron Judge’s belated birthday homer turns the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Blue Jays special, but Escarra’s power steals the spotlight.

Yankee Stadium buzzed with anticipation for Aaron Judge‘s belated birthday celebration on Sunday after rain washed out Saturday’s game. But the Yankees captain shared headlines with an unlikely hero by day’s end.

While Judge delivered another stellar performance in the 2025 campaign with a home run and multiple hits, Yankees backstop J.C. Escarra etched his name into Bronx lore with his first career big league home run. What began as Judge’s Day transformed into a dual celebration that energized the Bronx faithful.

Judge continues hot streak on birthday weekend

Fresh off turning 33, Judge wasted no opportunity to extend his remarkable season during Sunday’s doubleheader against Toronto. After Saturday’s rainout, the Yankees‘ slugger went 3-for-8 across both games, pushing his on-base streak to 24 consecutive contests dating back to April 2. His signature moment arrived in the sixth inning of the second game when he connected on a solo shot off Chris Bassitt, giving the Yankees a 2-1 advantage.

Though modest by his standards at 376 feet with a 104.2 mph exit velocity, Judge’s eighth homer of the season proved perfectly timed. The right field blast marked the Yankees captain’s first round-tripper since April 16, a brief power outage that hardly dented his astronomical .406 batting average.

“He’s amazing. He is just so good at not leaving the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game. “So if you keep making pitches against him, you have a chance. But he is so strong. People have to be aware of how dangerous he is [with his power]. You have to be perfect. When you are not, obviously, he can hurt you.”

Judge remains the offensive centerpiece for the Yankees, ranking among league leaders across multiple statistical categories. His refined approach—combining disciplined zone recognition with all-field power—continues to frustrate opposing pitchers while inspiring teammates.

Escarra’s unforgettable moment

While Judge’s excellence has become routine, J.C. Escarra authored the day’s most emotional chapter. In the eighth inning with the Yankees leading 4-1, Escarra launched a mammoth insurance home run off reliever Chad Green—a 415-foot missile that left his bat at 105.0 mph and cemented the Yankees’ 5-1 victory. The blast represented not just his first major league home run, but the culmination of an improbable journey.

“I didn’t feel the ball off the bat,” Escarra said with a smile. “It was the first MLB home run. I did it here at home at Yankee Stadium. … It’s very special. This is my family’s team. It’s a dream come true. I’m doing everything as a Yankee. It can’t get better than this.”

Escarra, who collected two hits in the contest, traveled a particularly arduous path to the majors. Merely two years ago, he balanced substitute teaching duties and driving for Uber while clinging to his baseball aspirations in independent leagues. Now, the Yankees catcher shares a clubhouse with one of baseball’s transcendent talents.

Drawing inspiration from the Yankees captain

For Escarra, the opportunity to observe Judge’s daily approach provides invaluable professional development.

“He is amazing. Such a special human being on and off the field. Very talented. You look up and he already has two hits and a walk,” the catchers said about the Yankees captain. “It’s special for him to be my teammate and learn from him every day.”

The most significant lesson Escarra has absorbed from Judge? Consistency through baseball’s inevitable fluctuations.

“Just be the same guy every day,” Escarra shared. “Don’t be too high and not be too low. In this game, we have highs and lows, but we have to stay even keel and be the best version of ourselves.”

Following his milestone homer, Escarra secured the ball from a fan in exchange for an autographed bat. The treasured souvenir will join the baseball from his first major league hit in a collection destined for his father—a lifelong Yankees devotee who once resided in Yonkers and regularly attended games in the Bronx.

“This is my team, my family’s team,” explained Escarra, who grew up in Miami. Though his pregnant wife witnessed the moment in person from the stands, most of his family experienced his breakthrough from afar.

“Everyone back home was watching on TV,” he added. “If you had told me two years ago I’d be here doing this, I’d tell you, you were lying. It’s a dream come true…it can’t get better than this.”

A Sunday to remember in the Bronx

While Aaron Judge continues cementing his legacy with MVP-caliber consistency, players like J.C. Escarra embody the emotional core of a team with championship aspirations. Sunday’s victory transcended mere statistics—it represented dreams realized and career trajectories intersecting at different points.

For Judge, the day added another chapter to an already illustrious career. For Escarra, it marked the beginning of a long-awaited major league story. Together, their performances created a tapestry of moments that resonated deeply with Yankees faithful throughout the stadium and beyond.

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