Watch Bald Eagle Land On Mariners’ James Paxton In Opening Day Ceremony

A bald eagle stole the show at the Minnesota Twins’ Opening Day ceremony.

Sure, the U.S. gold medal-winning curling team threw out the first pitch, and a World War II veteran raised the American Flag, but eagle’s affinity for a Seattle Mariners pitcher was the talk of the ceremony at Target Field.

The eagle was supposed to fly in during the national anthem and land on the hand of the handler, something that’s been done numerous times at various sporting events.

But it seemed the eagle had other plans, as it took a detour to the arm of Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton.

Probably not what Paxton was expecting when he arrived at the ballpark.

But credit to him, he remained calm before the eagle found the ground and the handler came to halt the situation.