Rangers’ Jake Burger to wear number 21 for daughter with Down syndrome

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jake Burger will wear No. 21 with the Texas Rangers, a number that holds 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, leading to mild to moderate cognitive disability, developmental delays and physical difficulties.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to pick a number that not only is close to my heart, but to a lot of people’s hearts,” Burger said. “For me, it’s about trying to raise awareness and awareness about Down syndrome and how people can get support. I’m really, really proud of this number and really excited to wear it and represent my daughter, but also so many people there.

Baby girl Penelope, born October 25, was held by her mother, Ashlyn, as Burger spoke to reporters ahead of the Rangers’ annual awards dinner on Friday evening. It was the 28-year-old slugger’s first public appearance with the team since being acquired in a trade with 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 to wear number 21 and was working to change his number from number 36 with the Marlins before being traded. The couple received their daughter’s diagnosis in April.

He said a foundation was being established to help other families affected by Down syndrome.

“We’re really excited to move this project forward and help as many families as possible,” Burger said. “For us, we call it the lucky few. They’re the families with Down syndrome, with a child with Down syndrome. And that’s how my wife, Ashlyn, and I feel. That’s how Brooks feels as a than his 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 really special job to do.” .

Burger said Friday that his daughter is “doing great” but has a heart problem that will require surgery at some point during spring training. He plans to leave Arizona and then join his family during the intervention in Nashville.

“She’s the strongest little person I know, and I know she’s going to get through this easily,” Burger said. “I 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 was hoping to catch up with his new teammate in Texas this weekend.

“It seemed like a bit of destiny that he signed here,” Burger said. “I love the way he plays and the fun he brings to the game. But not only that, we’re obviously connected a lot deeper than that. So I’m really excited to meet Champ. And, you know, it’s another person in our entourage who will be there to support us.”