ARLINGTON, Texas — On the Texas Rangers annual staff wards dinner this month, newly acquired first baseman Jake Burger defined how his daughter’s start influenced him to vary his uniform quantity.
Burger’s daughter, Penelope, was born on Oct. 25 with Down syndrome. And this impressed him to vary his quantity from 36 to 21 in his first yr with the Rangers to boost consciousness for the genetic situation.
“Twenty-one is an important quantity: Trisomy 21 is what Down syndrome is clinically known as, and it’s an additional copy of the twenty first chromosome,” Burger stated. “So for me, that is the primary time I can choose a quantity that’s not simply near my coronary heart, however near lots of people’s hearts. And for me, it’s attempting to unfold consciousness and attempt to get the phrase out about Down syndrome and the way individuals can get help. I’m simply actually happy with this quantity and actually excited to put on this and symbolize my daughter.”
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Burger additionally stated that his daughter was doing properly however that she would require surgical procedure which might trigger him to overlook a few of spring coaching.
“She’s doing nice,” stated Burger. “Sadly, she nonetheless has one thing mistaken along with her coronary heart that she has to have open coronary heart surgical procedure. However she’s the strongest little particular person I do know, and I do know she’s going to get by way of that with a breeze. She’s received an superior household round her and an superior mother.”
Burger’s brother-in-law, who’s Penelope’s godfather, additionally has Down syndrome which he stated helped him put together for the prognosis.
The primary baseman additionally introduced plans to begin a basis for the individuals he known as the “fortunate few.”
“We’re going to begin a basis,” stated Burger. “I feel it’s going to assist lots of people. It’ll have numerous ties with the place we dwell, in Tennessee, but in addition in Texas, and so we’re actually, actually excited to push that ahead and assist as many households as we are able to.
“For us, we name it the fortunate few. That’s, you understand, households with Down syndrome, with a child affected with Down syndrome, and that’s how my spouse, Ashton and I really feel. That’s how Brooks feels as her brother and we’re simply so, so grateful to have this chance to assist as many households on the market as we are able to.”
Burger, who was traded from the Miami Marlins in December, had begun interested by altering his quantity as soon as his daughter was born and credited his spouse for arising with the thought.
Burger, a Missouri native, was grateful for all of the individuals across the nation who’ve given him help.
“We’re simply so grateful for everyone that’s reached out,” stated Burger.
“Once we have been sort of telling our story. So many individuals have reached out across the nation. Have simply given a ton of affection,”
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