ST. LOUIS — Opening day at Busch Stadium is sacred for St. Louisans.
Now imagine you're a St. Louis native who actually gets to play in an opening day game at Busch? CBC High School grad Jake Burger doesn't have to imagine anymore.
The 27-year-old started at third base for the Miami Marlins against his hometown Cardinals on Thursday, and had a whole section of the stadium rooting for him.
"I'd say probably 60-plus (friends and family coming this week). Especially Saturday and Sunday. Today (Thursday) it'll be more close family and friends. I'm getting texts from everybody saying, 'I'm gonna wear my Cardinals jersey but a Marlins shirt under it.' But it's really special to have this many people support me and be able to have my grandpa see me play live for the first time is special," Burger said.
Burger played for the White Sox before going to Miami and hadn't played at Busch at all until opening day, 2024.
The former Cadet has overcome a lot already in his young MLB career, including two tears in his Achilles. The homecoming for opening day in St. Louis almost feels like a full-circle moment.
"I'm feeling a lot of adrenaline. I felt it when I got off the plane last night. There's just a lot of memories that I've made at this stadium and it's really cool to be able to play here. I was texting my dad last night just thinking about the road that it's taken to get to this point. There's a few times in your career where you have moments like this to step back and think, 'This is really where I'm at.' Last night was one of those getting off the plane and then obviously walking into Busch Stadium, it's just really special," Burger said.
Burger made his own memory at Busch Stadium, launching two home runs off Cardinals starter Lance Lynn.
Burger also happened to be in the house for the most famous home run in Busch Stadium history.
"I went to the Game 6 walk-off from David Freese in 2011. That game will always be seared in my head. I remember we were sitting right under Big Mac Land in that second terrace there and the place was going absolutely berserk. I think we were standing in the stands for 30 minutes postgame there just going crazy. I'll always remember that moment," Burger said.
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