Jake Burger Hit First Home Run With Rangers While Wearing Daughter’s Hospital Bracelet

Jake Burger celebrates a spring training home run. | @Ranger

Jake Burger hit his first home run as a member of the Texas Rangers on Thursday. During the fifth inning of the Rangers Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners, Burger, who started at DH, took Blas Castano deep with two outs and a runner on first.

Burger was wearing a hospital band when he hit the home run. It wasn't his, but one from his four month old daughter Penelope's successful open-heart surgery, which took place on Monday.

Jake Burger's four-month-old daughter Penelope had successful open-heart surgery on Monday.

Today, Jake hit his first @Rangers home run ... wearing Penelope's hospital band. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Q5mmU3yNMp

— MLB (@MLB) February 28, 2025

According to MLB.com, Penelope's surgery took place at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. She was born with Down syndrome, and Burger has chosen to wear No. 21 with the Rangers to honor his daughter and others with the genetic condition.

Burger began his career with the Chicago White Sox and wore No. 30. He was traded to the Miami Marlins during the 2023 season and wore No. 36 until Miami traded him to Texas in December.

1st Burger Bomb of Spring! pic.twitter.com/V1Ci011Oyj

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 27, 2025