Sunday, March 29

ARLINGTON -- Brooks Burger’s favorite players are Jonah Heim and Wyatt Langford. 

No, no, definitely not his dad, Rangers first baseman Jake Burger. Two-year-old Brooks hasn’t quite grasped the whole professional baseball player thing just yet. But he’s been happy to take it all in. And those are his favorite guys. 

“He just thinks I’m playing sandlot baseball,” Jake said. “But he does understand that Jonah, he's a catcher, and Wyatt Langford is an outfielder. We're wearing a catcher's mask around the house at all times and anytime Wyatt comes on the TV. He's like, ‘That’s Wyatt! Wyatt hits home runs!’ Yeah. He's aware of the game, but not necessarily of Major League Baseball.”

In all seriousness, the 29-year-old Burger loves fatherhood. 

Burger and his wife, Ashlyn, have two kids: Brooks and a baby girl named Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome on Oct. 25, 2024.

“I think the coolest job in the world is being a dad,” Burger said. “Obviously Brooks' birth, and everything was flawless. With Penelope, there were some hiccups, but nothing that she can't overcome, and we can't overcome as a family. I think it goes to show the foundation of Ashlyn and I's relationship and marriage. Just being able to lean on each other through difficult times and great times and being there for each other, no matter what. I couldn't do this job without all three of them. Ashlyn's that rock for us. Going back home to Brooks and Penelope after an 0-fer day makes it all a little easier.”

When he was traded from the Marlins to the Rangers this offseason, Jake Burger decided he would wear the No. 21 to honor Penelope. 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.

During a quiet week in Surprise, Ariz., back in Spring Training, Jake returned to his home in Nashville to spend necessary time with his family when Penelope underwent open heart surgery. He was away from camp for just a few days while Penelope underwent the surgery, with the entire organization fully behind him. 

He arrived back in Arizona and then launched his first home run as a member of the club in his first day back to Cactus League play -- and he did so with Penelope's hospital band on his wrist. 

The Rangers have a family-oriented clubhouse. The majority of players have partners and children. The family room at Globe Life Field is always bustling postgame. 

Burger fit right into this kind of atmosphere when joining the club via trade this past offseason. 

"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,” Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said at the time. “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.”

Burger frequently gives credit to Ashlyn, for working a “24/7 job,” he says. 

For as fun as it can be, the baseball season is long and involves a lot more travel than many other professional sports. The foundation of Jake and Ashlyn’s marriage allows them to come together and live a happy, healthy life together as a family. 

Being a father and a husband is truly the greatest joy of Burger’s life. 

“It doesn't matter what's going on in the adult world, they're going to love you no matter what,” Burger said. “They're going to smile at you. Brooks wants to play baseball from the moment I get home, and Penelope, right when she sees me, has the biggest smile from ear to ear. So I think that's probably the coolest part.

“It’s taught me a lot about myself too. Just being able to be present with them, thinking about what it means to be a father, and how to portray a living example, morally, spiritually, whatever it may be. I think it makes you grow up and mature.”

The Rangers opened this homestand with Mexican Heritage Weekend on Friday and Saturday against the White Sox before celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday. 

The back end of the homestand against the Royals will feature multiple star-studded ceremonial first pitches. On Tuesday, former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant will headline Dallas Cowboys Night before Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers makes her first appearance at Globe Life Field on Wednesday. Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman will join Bueckers. 

Promotional giveaways and theme nights 

June 17

Promo: 2023 World Series Final Out Bobblehead presented by Globe Life (First 20,000 fans)

Theme night: Dallas Cowboys Night. Theme night tickets purchased through this offer will come with a co-branded Dallas Cowboys + Texas Rangers City Connect football jersey. Items will be available for pickup beginning when gates open until the conclusion of the third inning. 

June 18 

Theme night: Handmade by Robots: deGrominator Night. Fans who purchase a theme night ticket will receive a unique "deGrominator" figurine created by Handmade by Robots. Items will be available for pick up beginning when gates open until the conclusion of the third inning.

June 19

Theme night: Semien Replica Ring. Fans who purchase a theme night ticket will receive a replica of Marcus Semien’s 2023 World Series championship ring. Items will be available for pickup beginning when gates open until the conclusion of the third inning.

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