After career detours as Uber driver and substitute teacher, J.C. Escarra gets first big league hit

NEW YORK (AP) — J.C. Escarra pulled a changeup into the right-field corner, slid into second base, popped up and punched the air.

After a meandering minor league career that took detours to Mexico and Puerto Rico and included a release that led to part-time work as an Uber driver and substitute teacher, he got his first big league hit three weeks shy of his 30th birthday.

“I got a little bit too excited at second base,” he said. “But just enjoying the moment. Close game, big hit.”

Escarra started his first big league game Thursday night, catching in the New York Yankees' 9-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“We’re all pulling for that guy. We all know his story,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said. “Just the type of person he is — battle through that type of adversity. He’s come in here every single day with a smile on his face, trying to make guys better, trying to push guys all the way in spring training. Seeing it, it’s been fun to watch and fun to be around because he just brings a different energy into his clubhouse and it’s contagious.”

Escarra made his big league debut Saturday against Milwaukee, striking out as a pinch hitter, moving behind the plate and popping out.

He popped out, flied out and grounded out in his first three at-bats against Arizona before doubling in the seventh inning against Jalen Beeks to put runners on second and third in a two-run game.

“Before that at-bat, I’m like, man, I’m pressing. I’m trying to do too much,” he said. “It's funny how baseball works. When you don’t try to do too much, that’s when things come."

Escarra took an Uber to opening day last week and the D train later in the series. A few fans recognized him in the subway and some asked for autographs.

“They saw the video that went viral, of me calling my mom and stuff like that, which is cool,” Escarra said. “Diehard Yankee fans, I appreciate their support.”

He’s now moved from a Manhattan hotel to an apartment in suburban Yonkers and drives his car to Yankee Stadium.

His wife Jocelyn was at Thursday night's game, but most of his family and friends left town after the Brewers series.

“You can tell his passion and love for the game," manager Aaron Boone said. “For not having any major league experience yet, he’s got a lot of experience and got some presence to him. He’s got some confidence to what he’s doing and he can really swing the bat, too.”

Escarra already had a plan for the special baseball.

“I’m dedicating that ball to my pops,” he said. “A longtime Yankee fan, lived in Yonkers for 15 years. Been through a lot, so he deserves that ball.”

Escarra also got a game ball from closer Luke Weaver, who gave his catcher the ball after recording the final out. Escarra stuck it in his back pocket as he greeted his teammates for postgame handshakes.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra throws to pitcher Carlos Carrasco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra prepares to catch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra takes a ball from an umpire during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra shakes hands with pitcher Carlos Carrasco following the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra walks to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra reacts after Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll is called out on strikes during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra reacts after Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll is called out on strikes during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees' J.C. Escarra reacts after doubling on a line drive during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees' J.C. Escarra reacts after doubling on a line drive during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra throws to pitcher Carlos Carrasco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Yankees' J.C. Escarra reacts after doubling on a line drive during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

President Donald Trump remained defiant Monday as global markets continued plunging after his tariff announcement last week.

Trump has insisted his tariffs are necessary to rebalance global trade and rebuild domestic manufacturing. He's singled out China as “the biggest abuser of them all” and criticized Beijing for increasing its own tariffs in retaliation.

Here's the latest:

The dispute over tariffs has caused some fracturing within Trump’s political coalition.

Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said the president was “launching a global economic war against the whole world at once” and urged him to “call a time out.”

“We are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter,” he wrote on X on Sunday.

Top White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told Fox News on Monday morning that Ackman should “ease off the rhetoric a little bit.”

Hassett said critics were exaggerating the impact of trade disputes and talk of an “economic nuclear winter” was “completely irresponsible rhetoric.”

The president showed no interest in changing course despite turmoil in global markets.

He said other countries had been “taking advantage of the Good OL’ USA” on international trade.

“Our past ‘leaders’ are to blame for allowing this, and so much else, to happen to our Country,” he wrote on Truth Social. “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump criticized China for increasing its own tariffs and “not acknowledging my warning for abusing countries not to retaliate.”

On a day when stock markets around the world dropped precipitously, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl led a celebration of the president whose global tariffs sparked the sell-off.

With no mention of the Wall Street roller coaster and global economic uncertainty, Wahl declared his state GOP’s “Trump Victory Dinner” — and the broader national moment — a triumph. And for anyone who rejects Trump, his agenda and the “America First” army that backs it all, Wahl had an offer: “The Alabama Republican Party will buy them a plane ticket to any country in the world they want to go to.”

Wahl’s audience — an assembly of lobbyists and donors, state lawmakers, local party officials and grassroots activists — laughed, applauded and sometimes roared throughout last week’s gala in downtown Birmingham.

Yet beyond the cheerleading, there were signs of a more cautious optimism and some worried whispers over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, the particulars of his deportation policy and the aggressive slashing by his Department of Government Efficiency.

▶ Read more about Trump’s support in Alabama

This morning, at 11 a.m., World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will visit the White House and meet the president. Later, at 1 p.m., Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House and meet with Trump. At 2 p.m., Netanyahu and Trump will participate in a Bilateral Meeting in the Oval Office. At 2:30 p.m., they will hold a joint news conference.

Trump said Sunday that he won’t back down on his sweeping tariffs on imports from most of the world unless countries even out their trade with the U.S.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he didn’t want global markets to fall, but also that he wasn’t concerned about the massive sell-off either, adding, “sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.”

His comments came as global financial markets appeared on track to continue sharp declines once trading resumes Monday, and after Trump’s aides sought to soothe market concerns by saying more than 50 nations had reached out about launching negotiations to lift the tariffs.

The higher rates are set to be collected beginning Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said unfair trade practices are not “the kind of thing you can negotiate away in days or weeks.” The United States, he said, must see “what the countries offer and whether it’s believable.”

▶ Read more about the global impact of Trump’s tariffs

Pedestrian are reflected on a brokerage house's window as an electronic board displays shares trading index, in Beijing, Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Shipping containers are stored at Bensenville intermodal terminal in Franklin Park, Ill., Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Marine One, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)