Jake Burger is known for making a strong impression on the baseball field. Over the past month and a half, the 28-year-old slugger has been making his mark in Miami, leading the Majors with 17 home runs since July 2. This places him ahead of some of the sport’s top names, such as Juan Soto and Anthony Santander. However, during MLB’s Players’ Weekend, where athletes can express themselves and showcase causes close to their hearts, Burger is using his bats to deliver a different kind of message.
This weekend, Burger is wielding two customized bats from Old Hickory, each representing two of his greatest passions: family and mental health awareness. With a smile, he mentioned that his choice of bat on Sunday will depend on which one feels better at the plate.
“Even when I don’t get to use these kinds of bats, anytime I’m anxious or overwhelmed, I think about my family,” Burger said. “Now, having a visual reminder makes it even better.”
One of his bats is a tribute to home and family. It is adorned in red, white, and blue, with the Tennessee flag printed on the barrel. The names of his loved ones, including his wife Ashlyn, are engraved on the handle. Burger used this bat during Friday’s game, hitting his 24th home run of the season in a 7-3 loss. This special bat will soon be framed and displayed in his home.
“Honestly, it was one of the cooler moments of my career. Probably one of my favorite home runs,” Burger shared. “Having their names on the bat and hitting that home run while they were cheering in the stands—it couldn’t have been scripted any better.”
Burger feels immense gratitude for his family, especially since being traded to Miami from the White Sox during the 2023 Trade Deadline. His family has grown since then, giving him even more reasons to play the game he loves. Earlier this year, in May, Ashlyn and their son Brooks threw out the first pitch to Jake, creating a memorable family moment on the field. With another child on the way, Burger is constantly reminded of the things he is thankful for each time he steps up to bat.
The Trade Deadline period is often stressful for players, with rumors and travel arrangements adding pressure to an already demanding 162-game season. Amidst the ups and downs of a player’s performance, periods of struggle can feel especially isolating. But Burger never forgets the unwavering support from his family, reciprocating the love they’ve shown him throughout his career.
“Our family is the one constant in our lives. There are so many moving parts in this game,” Burger explained. “Ashlyn did an amazing job during the Trade Deadline, handling everything outside of baseball so I could focus on playing.”
“I couldn’t do this without her. And I don’t say that lightly. It’s a team effort when you’re going through this with a marriage and kids. During tough times earlier this year, being able to talk to her and lift each other up made all the difference. At the end of the day, we’re each other’s rock. Nothing can stop us as long as we stay strong together.”
Burger’s other bat carries a different message. It is lime green and dedicated to his advocacy for mental health awareness among athletes. He used it on Saturday, hitting a double in the Marlins’ 4-0 loss. The bat features a large green ribbon, the symbol for mental health awareness, along with a semicolon on the knob representing suicide prevention. It also carries his initiative’s mantra, “Burger B.O.M.B.S.”
Burger’s commitment to mental health advocacy stems from his personal experience. After tearing his Achilles on February 26, 2018—a date tattooed on his left forearm—he suffered the same injury again two months later. The setbacks led to anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which he openly discussed both online and in public forums.
Understanding the sport’s longstanding association with toughness and masculinity, Burger wants to break the stereotypes by being open about his mental health struggles. His willingness to have these conversations with teammates and other athletes helps address the unspoken anxieties many players face.
“There’s not a guy in this clubhouse who hasn’t dealt with some form of adversity, and you never know how that will impact mental health,” Burger said. “Being able to share my experience and talk to others has been incredibly important. Baseball is a small community, and we all know how tough this sport can be. Having these conversations is crucial.”
Through his bats, Burger is not only leaving his mark on the field but also making a powerful statement off it—celebrating the love of his family and advocating for greater mental health awareness.
