Rangers' Burger Named 2026 MLBPA Philanthropist of the Year

On Wednesday morning, it was announced that Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has been named the 2026 Major League Baseball Players Association Philanthropist of the Year.

Burger becomes the first Rangers player to take home the honor since the award’s inception in 2023.

Since being acquired by Texas prior to the 2025 season, Burger and his wife Ashlyn have done significant charitable work through the Burger Family Foundation, which aims to support individuals with Down syndrome and empower families raising children with disabilities.

With the award, the Players Trust will issue a $25,000 grant to the foundation, adding to the $10,000 they donated back in May after Burger was named the organization's Most Valuable Philanthropist.

In addition to the work of his foundation, Burger has partnered with the Rangers to host "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" at Globe Life Field each of the last two seasons. Proceeds from specialty tickets and "Down Syndrome is Cool" merchandise sales have gone to benefit local Down syndrome organizations in the DFW metroplex.

Burger and his foundation have also partnered with the Rangers Baseball Foundation and Delaware North Sportservice to donate a portion of proceeds from every Jake Burger jersey sold at Globe Life Field since he has been with Texas.

The No. 21 that Burger wears on his uniform is in recognition of Trisomy 21, the clinical term for Down syndrome.

Earlier this season, Burger was named the Rangers 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee. The award was recently given to Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets.

In 155 games for Texas this season, Burger hit .228 with 28 home runs and 90 RBI while amassing a .722 OPS. Since joining the Rangers, Burger has hit 44 home runs and driven in 143 runs in 258 contests.

Burger’s award announcement came as the MLBPA announced the winners of their annual Players Choice Awards.

Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs took home Player of the Year and National League Outstanding Player.

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez won the American League’s Outstanding Player as well as the league’s comeback player of the year.

Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees and Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers took home the AL and NL Outstanding Pitcher awards, respectively.

The MLBPA has been handing out the Players Choice awards since 1992. Each award winner is chosen by their fellow peers, as players get to vote on the honors.