Forget his no-hitter—Mariners starter James Paxton’s most memorable moment of 2018 might actually be that time a confused eagle tried to land on his shoulder.
DEE GORDON, MARINERS OUTFIELDER: Right before the national anthem, I saw the eagle, Challenger, on the JumboTron [before his flight to the field], and I said, “That bird looks like he doesn’t want to cooperate. If he comes over here, it’s going to be a disaster—I’m going to fight the bird or run from the anthem. Either way, I’m in trouble.”
DESSA, NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGER: I met Challenger the day before and was told not to make any big gestures with my arms to avoid becoming a target for the eagle. I remember thinking, “That bird is the size of a mini fridge!”
This story is from the June 18, 2018 edition of ESPN The Magazine.
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This story is from the June 18, 2018 edition of ESPN The Magazine.
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