Jake Burger’s Theory for the Rangers’ Hot Streak

ARLINGTON — Jake Burger turned as red as a cardinal’s cassock. Holy humor intended. How else to describe Burger’s theory for the Rangers’ recent hot streak and his hand signal to the dugout after a two-run double to right center that broke open an 8-3 win over Colorado on Wednesday? Look, the guy slid into second, turned to the dugout and gave a two-handed wave that looked suspiciously like something you might see in the Vatican. And then topped it off with a little blessing sign.

This is gonna get tricky, but Burger, a devout Catholic, had his spirit in the right place. When Robert Prevost, of Chicago, was elected as the new Pope on May 8, Burger was in the doldrums of an unexpected minor league assignment. A Midwesterner, like the new Pope Leo XIV, Burger swelled with pride and saw a little opportunity for motivation.

The Inspiration Behind the Wave

“Basically, I kind of thought: New Pope, new me,” Burger said Wednesday night. “He’s a Midwestern guy like me. I was proud. And since he’s been elected Pope, we’ve been rather hot.”

So, Jake, are you claiming a little extra help? “I think it would be a disservice to him, not to give him some credit,” said Burger, who broke in with the Chicago White Sox, whom Pope Leo rooted for during the 2005 World Series. “He’s a White Sox fan. I’d like to think he didn’t like the trade and maybe he put in a little blessing for me. So, I told the guys, if I get to second, my new double sign is going to be the wave.”

The Papal Wave

Maybe there is something to it. After all, Burger was well aware of the viral video clip making the rounds in which Pope Leo greets visitors and pilgrim groups who are visiting the Vatican. In the clip, Pope Leo, speaking in Italian, welcomes a group from “Dallas, Texas.” And then he smiles.

Who knows: The Papal wave may not catch on like the Claw & Antlers did in 2010 or Evan Carter’s praying hands did in 2023, but if the Rangers can find a little extra help, they’ll gladly take it.

On Twitter/X:@Evan_P_Grant

Rangers’ Recent Performance

The Rangers turned to their hot hand in the bullpen vs. Houston and got burnt for it

In Texas’ 6-3 loss to the Astros Friday, they may have exhausted their continual reliance on the bullpen.

With a diversified repertoire, Rangers’ Cole Winn is anything but a simple pitcher now

Winn has not allowed an earned run in 23 1/3 innings this season, his second as a full-time reliever.

Rangers’ Kumar Rocker appears to have crossed final hurdle to be cleared to pitch again

The Rangers placed the right-handed pitcher on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement in late April.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Texas Rangers have been on a hot streak, and Jake Burger’s theory behind it is quite interesting. With the new Pope’s election and Burger’s Catholic faith, he believes that the team has received a little extra help. Whether or not this is true, the Rangers will take any advantage they can get. The team has been performing well, with players like Cole Winn and Kumar Rocker making significant contributions.

FAQs

Q: Who is Jake Burger?

A: Jake Burger is a player for the Texas Rangers.

Q: What is the Papal wave?

A: The Papal wave is a hand signal that Jake Burger uses to celebrate his doubles, inspired by the new Pope’s wave.

Q: How has the Rangers’ performance been recently?

A: The Rangers have been on a hot streak, with players like Cole Winn and Kumar Rocker contributing to their success.

Q: Where can I find more information about the Rangers?

A: You can find more information about the Rangers on The Dallas Morning News website.