J.C. Escarra had an unconventional journey in professional baseball that included a stint as a ride-share driver. Before his potential major league debut at Yankee Stadium, the 29-year-old catcher and infielder called for an Uber to take him from his midtown Manhattan hotel. Riding in an Uber Black luxury car, he felt special and enjoyed the view of the city and the stadium from a distance.
Growing up in Miami, Escarra played youth baseball with Nestor Cortes, a current MLB pitcher. Despite facing uncertainty in his baseball career, Escarra found himself wearing the No. 25 jersey for the New York Yankees, a dream come true for him.
After being released by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022, Escarra played in independent and winter leagues while also working as an Uber driver and substitute teacher. Despite the challenges, he continued to pursue his passion for baseball.
In 2023, Escarra played for various teams before joining the Yankees organization in 2024. After impressing during spring training, he received the news of his call-up to the major leagues from manager Aaron Boone in a touching moment captured by the team.
Escarra’s journey to the big leagues was filled with ups and downs, but his perseverance and hard work paid off as he realized his childhood dream of playing for the New York Yankees.
