ARLINGTON, Texas – Jake Burger will wear No. 21 for the Texas Rangers, a number that has special meaning for the first baseman’s family after his daughter was born with Down syndrome.
The clinical name for Down syndrome is trisomy 21, a condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome, resulting in mild to moderate cognitive impairment, developmental delays and physical challenges.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to choose a number that is close to not just me but a lot of people’s hearts,” Burger said. “For me it’s about raising awareness and spreading the word about Down syndrome and how people can get support. I’m really proud of this number and I’m really excited to wear it and represent my daughter, but also so many people out there.”
Infant daughter Penelope, born Oct. 25, was held by her mother Ashlyn while Burger spoke to reporters Friday night before the Rangers’ annual awards dinner. It was the 28-year-old slugger’s first public appearance with the team since being acquired from Miami on Dec. 11. Jake Burger’s parents and his 2-year-old son Brooks were also in attendance.
Burger credits his wife with the idea of wearing No. 21 and worked to change his number from No. 36 with the Marlins before being traded. The couple received their daughter’s diagnosis last April.
He said a foundation would be set up to help other families affected by Down syndrome.
“We’re really excited to move this forward and help as many families as we can,” Burger said. “For us, we call them the lucky few. These are families with Down syndrome in which one child is affected by Down syndrome. And that’s how my wife Ashlyn and I feel. That’s how Brooks feels like her brother.”
In an Instagram post shortly after Penelope’s birth, the couple said Burger was the only active MLB player with a child with Down syndrome and that they knew God was giving them “a very special purpose.”
Burger said Friday that his daughter is doing “great” but has something wrong with her heart that will require surgery sometime during spring training. He then plans to leave Arizona to be with his family in Nashville during the procedure.
“She is the strongest little person I know and I know she will get through this in a breeze,” Burger said. “I just pray for her every day.”
The Rangers also signed free agent designated hitter Joc Pederson this offseason, whose older brother Champ has Down syndrome. Burger hoped to meet his new teammate in Texas this weekend.
“It felt a little bit like fate that he signed here,” Burger said. “I love the way he plays the game and how much fun he brings to the game. But not only that, we are obviously connected to each other on a much deeper level. I’m really looking forward to meeting Champ. And you know, he’s another person in our community who will be there to support us.”