SURPRISE, Ariz. -- March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. For the first time, it’s a special day for the Burger family.
Rangers infielder Jake Burger and his wife Ashlyn honored the day by announcing the formation of the Burger Family Foundation, inspired by their daughter Penelope, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
The Burger Family Foundation was created to support families like the Burgers through direct financial assistance, therapy and community.
“I think we both kind of felt like it was called upon us to start it,” Burger said. “It’s been crazy 365 days, it almost dates back a full year since we got the initial diagnosis. it's not something you ever expect. The community accepted us right away, and my wife felt love and support from day one.
“It was really cool to see that. So for us, we just feel this overwhelming amount of joy that Penelope is here and she's thriving, and then on top of that, the joy and the love that comes from the community. We’re just trying to give back to that community as much as we can.”
One arm of the foundation is called Pens Pearls, which aims to provide direct financial support to families and help ensure that everyone with disabilities has access to the resources they and their family may need. Proceeds from the Lucky 21 apparel collection will also go directly to the Burger Family Foundation.
The foundation is also in the process of starting the Lucky Ranch, which is meant to be “a haven for growth, healing, and connection, combining equine therapy, specialized programs, and community support to create a one-of-a-kind experience for individuals with Disabilities and their families,” according to the press release.
More information on the Lucky Ranch will become available soon, but Burger wants to create a working ranch where individuals with disabilities can have a safe haven for themselves and their families. The grand vision includes having physical therapists and speech therapists on site, as well as an eventual farm-to-table restaurant.
“I love being outside,” Burger said. “My dad's side of the family dates back to the homestead. That's like 1810 in southern Indiana. When I was dealing with my Achilles injury, it was always like ‘All right, let's get outside, get some fresh air, walk in nature. Even if you're not walking, just sitting in nature, reading a book outside.’ So I want to kind of take that vision and make a safe haven for [people with disabilities] so they feel comfortable working.”
Additionally, the Burger family and the Rangers are set to host Down Syndrome Day at the Ballpark on Aug. 10 at Globe Life Field.
Penelope Burger was born on Oct. 25, 2024, though Jake and Ashlyn knew months prior about her diagnosis. Jake is the only active MLB player with a child with Down syndrome. When Jake joined the Rangers, he changed his jersey number to 21 to represent trisomy 21, the extra copy of the 21st chromosome that those with Down syndrome carry.
"When we got Penelope’s diagnosis, we knew God gave us a special gift and a special platform to be able to support and advocate for the Down syndrome community,” Ashlyn Burger said in a press release. “This foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families and giving back to a community who’s already given so much to us."
Earlier this spring, Jake returned home to Nashville, where Penelope had successful open-heart surgery. In his first game back, he launched his first unofficial home run as a member of the club while wearing Penelope's hospital band on his wrist.
"I always put myself in these guys' shoes, and I never had anything like that in my career where I had a child experiencing a medical issue in a procedure that is potentially life threatening,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young. “To see him go home and prioritize his family, and then to come right back and jump right back in and perform with such a winning spirit, it makes me so happy he's a Ranger.
“These guys are not robots. They're humans, and they have real emotions and stresses and problems, just like you and I and everybody else. I think it's easy to take for granted what they're going through, and the way he's handled it speaks to his strength and character and the strength of his family, too.”
Kennedi Landry covers the Rangers for MLB.com.