‘The dream came true!’ Yankees’ J.C. Escarra makes team, shares emotional moment with his mom

TAMPA, Fla. — J.C. Escarra has been dripping in confidence all spring about his chances to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.

That’s just who he is. There were stretches during his long and winding road to the Yankees organization where doubt did creep into Escarra’s mind, but he’s always believed in himself.

So, when Escarra was called into Aaron Boone’s office on Saturday, he was expecting good news from the Yankees’ manager about the Opening Day roster.

But when he walked in, he saw that Boone was alone in his office. If the manager was about to tell him he made the big-league roster, wouldn’t other coaches want to be there as well to celebrate?

His heart sank even further when Boone began to walk through the Yankees’ catching situation and how they have so much depth at the position.

“That’s what makes this hard,” Boone said with a straight face, as shown in a video of the meeting on the Yankees’ social media channels.

Boone took a beat and smiled.

“Nah, you’re going to the big leagues,” he said.

Escarra has been grinding for almost a decade to hear those words. He spent five years in the Orioles farm system after getting drafted in 2017. He played for a few years in indy ball, spending his offseasons in winter ball. The same player who nearly retired two years ago — when he was making only a couple hundred dollars per week, struggling to support his family — is now a few days away from suiting up in a big-league uniform for the first time. When the backup catcher has his number called, it’ll be for his long-awaited MLB debut.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

“I was just grateful to be here at first,” Escarra said in front of his locker on Sunday morning, his bags packed for a business trip up north. “Now, my dreams came true. Now is the easy part. Now it’s just play baseball in the biggest stage, so I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Escarra’s joyous personality broke through when Boone gave him the news on Saturday. When Escarra called his mom to share that he was making the team a few minutes later, the emotions truly arrived.

“The dream came true,” Escarra told his mom with tears streaming down his face.

The video has since gone viral on social media.

“You could just see the emotions,” Escarra said. “Me crying? I don’t really even cry that much. I knew she was gonna get like that. It’s just a special moment, special moment of what I’ve been through because she went through it with me as well. So it’s a whole family dream come true.”

Escarra said he’ll have at least 10 people in the stands at Yankee Stadium on Thursday for Opening Day. From his wife and parents to his brother, grandma and in-laws, it’ll be an unforgettable day for everybody involved.

He has a long list of friends and family who will attend Tuesday’s exhibition game in Miami — down the road from where he grew up in Hialeah — but a debut in the Bronx will be even more special.

“A lot of things, a lot of chess pieces had to align just for this opportunity to happen,” Escarra said. “I feel like I did everything on my part to show that I could help the team win. And thank God that the opportunity is here.”

  • Yankees’ roster battles after latest cuts | Who’s gone, who’s left
  • Yankees ‘heartbroken’| Memories of Brett Gardner’s son
  • Here is Yankees’ good and bad from spring training home finale
  • Yankees finalize starting rotation for Opening Day roster
  • Ex-Yankees OF Brett Gardner announces heartbreaking death of 14-year-old son

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Max Goodman may be reached at [email protected].

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

🚨GUT-PUNCH FOR DODGERS FANS: RIVER RYAN OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A – TOMMY JOHN COMEBACK STAR MISSES OPENING DAY ROTATION DESPITE ELECTRIC SPRING! After an electrifying spring performance, Ryan’s dream of making the Opening Day roster shatters, leaving Dodgers fans stunned and questioning the team’s decision. It’s a tough setback for a pitcher with so much promise.

Getty The Los Angeles Dodgers made a notable Opening Day roster decision Thursday, optioning right-hander River Ryan to the minor leagues and out of their starting rotation plans. The…

🚨BRUTAL BLOW: RED SOX CUT TIES WITH $1.2 MILLION PROSPECT AFTER DISASTROUS SLIDE – FRAYMI DE LEON’S DREAM ENDS IN HEARTBREAKING RELEASE! Once hаіled аѕ the future of the frаnchіѕe, De Leon’ѕ рromіѕіng journey comeѕ to а trаgіc hаlt, leаvіng fаnѕ аnd teаmmаteѕ іn dіѕbelіef. It’ѕ а раіnful chарter іn the Red Sox ѕtory.

The Boѕton Red ѕox аre reрortedly movіng on from а former toр рroѕрect. Boѕton releаѕed Frаymі De Leon on Thurѕdаy, аccordіng to Bаѕebаll Now’ѕ аndrew раrker. The іnfіelder joіned the Red…

🚨EXCLUSIVE: RED SOX ‘THROW-IN’ TRADE PIECE MAKES A SURPRISING PUSH FOR A SPOT ON THE ROSTER, LEAVING BOSTON WITH A TOUGH DECISION! Once overlooked, this player is now turning heads and forcing the team’s hand. With each game, the pressure mounts for the Red Sox to find room for him.

The Boston Red Sox trimmed the roster a tad on Thursday in preparation for Opening Day on March 26. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reported that infielder Tsung-Che Cheng and utility…

Cubs All-Star pitcher facing doubts: Analysts have ‘pessimistic’ outlook

For the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central, they will need standout performances and healthy seasons from their starting rotation. Losing Justin Steele for the year…

🚨 RED SOX FANS, THE CLOCK IS TICKING: Triston Casas’ Knee Nightmare Pulls His 2026 Return Timeline Into Sharp, Painful Focus – May Comeback or Career Crossroads? 😤🔴

Apr 22, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first base Triston Casas (36) hits a three run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh…

🚨 CHILL, RANGERS FANS: Joc Pederson’s Dismal Spring Training Numbers Are Actually a GOOD SIGN – History Screams “Don’t Panic” Before Opening Day! 😤🔥

Texas Rangers first baseman Joc Pederson. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images All Texas Rangers fans want in 2026 is the Joc Pederson that excelled with the Arizona Diamondbacks…