Bronx Bomber Babe

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  • From Uber Driver to Yankee Stadium: JC Escarra’s Inspirational Climb to the Majors

    In baseball, dreams often begin with a glove, a backyard, and a hero on TV. But for JC Escarra, the dream was built on something more enduring: grit, sacrifice, and relentless self-belief. Years after being released from the minors and driving for Uber to support his family, Escarra stood behind home plate at Yankee Stadium—living the very dream that once felt miles out of reach.

    A South Florida Dreamer

    Juan Carlos “JC” Escarra was born on April 24, 1995, in Hialeah, Florida, into a proud Cuban-American family that lived and breathed baseball. His earliest memories are filled with Little League tournaments, sandlot games with friends, and Yankees highlights watched side by side with his father. The Bronx Bombers weren’t just his favorite team—they were his north star.

    As he grew older, Escarra’s commitment to the game deepened. At Florida International University (FIU), he emerged as a reliable catcher with a steady bat and high baseball IQ. Scouts took notice, and in 2017, the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 15th round of the MLB Draft.

    A Dream Deferred

    For five years, Escarra grinded it out across over 350 minor league games. But baseball can be ruthless. In 2022, without fanfare or warning, he was released. Just like that, the dream slipped from his fingers.

    What followed was a test of resilience. With no contract, Escarra picked up work wherever he could—delivering food, driving for Uber, and even stepping in as a substitute teacher to keep his family afloat. While others may have seen a closed door, Escarra viewed it as a detour.

    “I never let go of the dream,” he told Newsday in an April 2024 interview. “Even when I wasn’t on a roster, I acted like I was.”

    Every day, after clocking out from a job, he would head to the gym or batting cage, preparing for a call that might never come.

    A Call from the Bronx

    That call finally came in January 2024. Yankees scout Raul Gonzalez, impressed by Escarra’s persistence and readiness, offered him a minor league deal. Escarra didn’t waste a second. He hit .302 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs earning a place on the Yankees’ 40-man roster that fall.

    Then, on March 29, 2025, JC Escarra made his Major League debut at Yankee Stadium. No longer an Uber driver, no longer overlooked—he was a Major League catcher.

    A Conversation with JC Escarra

    At a recent meet-and-greet event hosted by Sports Minded Unlimited in Warren, New Jersey, on May 4th, I had the chance to sit down with Escarra for a conversation about his journey. He was candid, warm, and eager to share what his story means not only to him but to anyone chasing a dream that seems out of reach.

    Julia Wyman : What message do you want to give to players still grinding in the minors or working side jobs while chasing their dream?
    J.C Escarra : “It’s no secret—keeping hope alive is hard. But we all want to get here. If I did it, they can too. Don’t give up. Just keep working. Even when no one’s watching, you’ve gotta believe you belong.”

    Julia Wyman: When did you know baseball was your path?
    J.C Escarra:     “I started playing baseball when I was 4 years old but honeslty Middle school. That’s when I really started dreaming about playing in the majors. I grew up watching guys like Carlos González and Tino Martinez—he was a Yankee legend. That’s when the fire really started burning.”

    Julia Wyman: Now that you’re in the Bronx, what’s surprised you most about life in the majors?
    J.C Escarra: “The fans are amazing, no doubt. But honestly? Being teammates with Aaron Judge. Watching what he does, how he carries himself, how he leads—that’s special. That’s once-in-a-lifetime stuff, and I get to be part of it.”

    Full Circle

    JC Escarra’s journey is not just a feel-good baseball story—it’s a lesson in perseverance. It’s about trusting your process when no one else sees your vision. It’s about the late nights, early mornings, and quiet moments when it’s just you and your goal.

    He now wears the pinstripes with pride, but he carries something even greater: the legacy of every player who’s ever been told, “You’re not good enough.” For every kid swinging a bat in their backyard, for every minor leaguer working side jobs between practices—JC Escarra is living proof that the dream is still alive, and still worth chasing.

    References

    Baseball Reference. (2024). JC Escarra Minor League Stats. Retrieved from https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=escar001jua
    Hoch, B. (2024, November 14). Yankees add JC Escarra to 40-man roster after standout season. MLB.com. https://www.mlb.com
    Kuty, B. (2024, March 30). JC Escarra lives out Yankees dream after grinding through minors and odd jobs. NJ.com. https://www.nj.com/yankees
    Newsday. (2024, April 1). Yankees’ JC Escarra once worked Uber shifts to support his family. Now he’s in the Bronx. drove Uber to support his family. https://www.newsday.com

  • J.C. Escarra’s First Career Homer: A Bronx Tale Come True

    Yankee fans, we witnessed a special moment on Sunday, April 27 — and I don’t just mean sweeping a doubleheader! J.C. Escarra, the Yankees’ feel-good story of the year, finally hit his first Major League home run — and it couldn’t have been scripted any better.

    It was the second game of the twin bill against the Blue Jays. Bottom of the 8th inning. We were already up, but Escarra gave us that sweet insurance run when he absolutely launched one into the right-field seats off former Yankee Chad Green. (Talk about full circle, huh?) The place went nuts — and honestly, so did I. Final score: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 1. Sweep city, baby.

    A Cinderella Story in Pinstripes

    If you don’t know much about Escarra yet, buckle up — his journey is pure baseball magic. He grew up in Hialeah, Florida, to Cuban parents, and got drafted by the Mets way back in 2013. Instead of going pro right away, he chose to play college ball at FIU, then spent years grinding it out in the minors, independent leagues, and even internationally.

    At one point, he was driving for Uber and working as a substitute teacher just to pay the bills — all while chasing that baseball dream. Talk about grit.

    Fast forward to January 2024: the Yankees scooped him up on a minor-league deal. Escarra absolutely tore it up in Triple-A Scranton (.302 average with some serious pop), earned a spot on the 40-man roster, and then made the Opening Day roster this season. His first big-league hit came earlier this month, and now — boom — first homer!

    Living the Dream

    After the game, Escarra said hitting his first dinger at Yankee Stadium was a “dream come true.” And you could feel it — this wasn’t just another rookie getting lucky. This was years of grinding, hoping, and never giving up finally paying off. You could see the emotion on his face rounding those bases.

    He’s also been clutch behind the plate, guiding Clarke Schmidt to another solid outing on Sunday. The pitchers clearly trust him, and it’s easy to see why. The kid’s got a good head on his shoulders — and now a bomb to his name.

    What’s Next for Escarra?

    Who knows? But if Sunday was any sign, J.C. Escarra’s story in the Bronx is just getting started. And honestly, I’m here for every second of it.

    Congrats, J.C. — the Bronx loves an underdog, and now you’re officially one of us.

  • Welcome to The Bronx Bomber Babe: A New Era for Yankees Fandom!

    Hey Yankees fans!

    Welcome to my brand-new corner of the internet—The Bronx Bomber Babe! If you’re here, it’s because you’re just as obsessed with the New York Yankees as I am (and let’s be real, who isn’t?!). Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just starting to catch the fever, you’ve found the right place to talk baseball, celebrate our team’s history, and get the latest scoop on all things Yankees.

    So, a little about me: I’m a die-hard Yankees fan who’s grown up with the iconic pinstripes and the electric energy that comes with being part of the most legendary team in MLB history. From the first time I picked up a bat to now, the Yankees have been my passion. And now, I’m here to share that excitement with all of you!

    What can you expect here?

    • Game recaps and player highlights—no one does it like the Bronx Bombers, and I’ll be here to break it all down.
    • Yankees history, from the legends of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to today’s stars—let’s celebrate the incredible legacy of our team.
    • Behind-the-scenes moments—because we all know there’s more to baseball than what happens on the field, right? Get a peek into the fan culture, the vibe at Yankee Stadium, and some personal reflections on why being a Yankees fan is so special.

    But above all, this is a community for all Yankees fans—especially women who love the game, just like me. Baseball isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the stories, the culture, and the connection we share with the team. So, let’s dive in together!

    Feel free to jump into the comments, share your thoughts, and connect with me on social media. I want to hear from you, whether it’s about your favorite Yankees moment or your thoughts on the latest game!

    I’m so excited to get this blog rolling and can’t wait to share this journey with you. Let’s go Yankees! 🧢⚾

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