(Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune via AP
The handler for an American eagle that was to fly to the pitcher’s mound during the national anthem pats Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton, a Canadian, after the eagle chose to land on his shoulder instead, Thursday, April 5, 2018, before the Mariners’ baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. 
Getting your player ready...
Oh, just an 🦅 landing in a Big 🍁., totally fearless.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners)
Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton, aka “The Big Maple” made a new friend today. A bald eagle landed on the pitcher from Canada during the national anthem before the Mariners took on the Twins in Minneapolis.
The Mariners sent a tweet out in response showing that Paxton took part in a commercial earlier this year where he takes off his hat that reveals a nest full of bird eggs.
Well. Now we know.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners)
