Jake Burger Switches to No. 21 to Honor Daughter With Down Syndrome

New year, new team, new number.

The Texas Rangers’ newest infielder Jake Burger announced today that he’s changing his jersey number from 36 to 21 in honor of his 2-month-old daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome. “This is the first time I can pick a number that’s not just close to my heart, but close to a lot of people’s hearts,” he said in a video explaining the switch. “For me, it’s about trying to spread awareness and get the word out about Down syndrome and how people can get support.”

The genetic condition, known as Trisomy 21, results in an extra copy of chromosome 21, which inspired the number change. “I’m just really proud of this number and excited to wear it to represent my daughter, but also so many others out there,” he added.

In addition to his jersey change, Burger revealed plans to launch a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting families blessed with a child with Down syndrome. “We’re excited to push this forward and help as many families as we can,” he said. “For us, we are called ‘the lucky few’—that’s families with a child affected by Down syndrome. That’s how my wife Ashlyn and I feel, that’s how Brooks feels as her brother, and we’re so grateful for this opportunity to make a difference.”

Burger and his wife Ashlyn, who are also parents to their 2-year-old son Brooks, welcomed Penelope on October 25, 2024. Reflecting on the moment they learned of her diagnosis, they said they were unfazed. “Our initial thought when we learned about her diagnosis was simple. We just looked at each other, and I said to Ash, ‘Okay, and?’” Burger told People at the time. “Life isn’t meant to be easy; it’s meant to be fulfilling, and this is God’s way of doing just that.”

“For us, the grief wasn’t about her diagnosis—it was about the perception that having Down syndrome might limit her capabilities,” the couple explained. “What seems like an insurmountable obstacle often turns into one of the biggest blessings. But at first, it’s hard to see that amidst all the ‘differents.’ How she navigates the world will be different, how she looks will be different, how her needs will be different, how we help her become the best version of herself will be different. Even how she makes friends will be different. All those little things you usually don’t think twice about.”

“Different can look scary or daunting, but that’s what makes all of us who we are,” they added. “That’s when we realized God blessed us with her so we could help others see Down syndrome the same way.”