ARLINGTON — Rangers first baseman Jake Burger was named the club’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee Monday afternoon. 

The award is given out annually to the player “who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” It’s named after former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente, a Baseball Hall of Famer, who died at the age of 38 in a plane while en route to deliver aid to victims of a Nicaragua earthquake.

“We are really grateful to play a children’s game for a living and get paid well for it,” Burger said before Tuesday’s game vs. the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. “It’s all for nothing without giving back to the community and helping those around us who are less fortunate.”

Burger and his wife, Ashlyn, started The Burger Family Foundation last year in honor of their daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome the prior fall. The organization provides financial resources, therapy and support to families impacted by Down syndrome. The charity has raised over $150,000 through merchandise, hosted two “Down Syndrome Awareness Days” at Globe Life Field and been active in other community efforts. 

The 30-year-old has used his time on dozens of road trips this season to visit various GiGi’s Playhouse — a Down syndrome achievement center — across the country. 

“I think when you try to start a foundation, or try to give back to the community, it’s really important that it comes from the heart, too,” Burger said. “You’re not just doing it to try to get in front of the camera or for selfish reasons. I think for us, it comes from the heart, because of how the community reacted to us. I think, for us, there’s more meaning behind it just because we’re in that community. We’re able to give back to a lot of people that aren’t as fortunate as us.”

The Rangers have never had a Roberto Clemente Award winner since it was first introduced in 1971. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was the club’s nominee last season. 

“It’s not just myself,” Burger said. “It’s my wife, Ashlyn, and the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with at the foundation. I think it’s everybody’s award, not just mine.”