MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins put together a whopper of a promotion to welcome trade deadline acquisition Jake Burger.
The Marlins celebrated the slugger and his appetizing last name by offering $5 hamburgers for their game Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Burger, a power-hitting infielder, was acquired from the Chicago White Sox shortly before Tuesday's trade deadline. Miami hopes he can provide a jolt to the lineup after he slugged 25 homers for the White Sox, tied for ninth in the majors entering Wednesday.
“I am ready to play some fun baseball here and compete for a playoff spot,” said Burger, who had spent his entire pro career with Chicago. “My wife was hyping me up today saying, 'Have fun at your first day of school!’ You get to meet all these new people and it is exciting.”
The 27-year-old — a childhood friend of Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk — added that he's good with the nickname “SmashBurger.”
Berger was set to bat sixth in Miami’s lineup Wednesday and start at third base.
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