This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
ARLINGTON -- Ashlyn Burger got emotional when she first saw her husband, Jake Burger -- the Rangers’ new first baseman -- take the field on Opening Day while wearing No. 21. If she’s being honest, she still gets emotional each time she sees him take the field with the number that’s become so special to their family.
When he was traded to the Rangers this offseason, Jake Burger decided he would wear the No. 21 to honor the couple’s daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome on Oct. 25.
The No. 21 is in reference to Down syndrome, known clinically as Trisomy 21, which occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21.
“I didn't anticipate being as emotional as I was,” Ashlyn said. “Every time I see him take the field, I get all choked up just knowing that he's representing a lot of people like [Penelope] and this community gets to feel included on a really big stage. So I didn't anticipate it having such an emotional impact on anything.”
On Friday, the Burgers and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation announced that $31 of the proceeds from every Jake Burger jersey sold at Globe Life Field this season will go to The Burger Family Foundation.
On March 21, World Down Syndrome Day, the Burgers announced the formation of the Burger Family Foundation, which was created to support families like themselves through direct financial assistance, therapy and community.
Karin Morris, the Rangers’ senior vice president of community impact, has emphasized how amazing it has been to work with the Burgers from the moment they joined the organization. The Rangers and the Rangers Foundation are active in the DFW community, including multiple events with Miracle League and other organizations for individuals with disabilities.
The Burgers have only made everybody within the Rangers Foundation and the organization as a whole even more passionate about getting involved.
“I think moment one, it was incredible, talking with the entire team and just saying ‘Hey, this is what we want to do, but we don't know how to do it. Can you help us?’” Jake explained. “They've just been there every step of the way, and anything we need. They’ve been so supportive and so incredible. It just warms our heart and makes it feel like we're home.”
Additionally, the Burgers and the Rangers Foundation have partnered so that fans who purchase tickets to the Rangers’ home game on Aug. 10 against the Phillies through this link will receive a custom ‘Down Syndrome Awareness Day’ cap.
“It’s just a day for us, to bring that greater Texas community of families with children with Down syndrome or adults with Down syndrome and have them out for a game at the park,” Jake said. “We want to spread awareness through the giveaway that day with our family foundation's hat and get as many people to rep it as we can. We don't want to just make it just a Texas thing. We want to make it a global thing as best we can. Anybody's welcome that night. I don't want to just say Down syndrome. I think all children with disabilities are welcome to attend and have a great night at the ballpark against a really good baseball team.”