MLB: The most entertaining first pitch in the history of first pitches

MLB aerial attack

This was the same game as the attack of the bald eagle when Mariners pitcher James Paxton, a six-foot-four lefty nicknamed “Big Maple,” was confronted by an American Bald Eagle during the National Anthem.

Paxton was respectfully standing with his hand over his chest as the singer got to “O’er the land of the free-eee.” At that moment, the eagle buzzed the tower of Big Maple before landing in front of him. When the singer continued, “And the home of the brave,” the eagle jumped on Paxton’s shoulder before jumping back off. Big Maple took it all in stride. When asked about it after the game, he said, “I’m not gonna outrun an eagle, so I just thought, ‘We’ll see what happens.’” At least he wasn’t injured like seemingly every other Mariner (and announcer Dave Sims).

As exciting as the eagle attack was, the ceremonial first pitch at that game was epic. It will be remembered for years to come. The five-man, gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic Curling team lined up across the infield to throw out the first pitch. No one could have known what they were about to witness next. And then it happened. The most entertaining first pitch in the history of baseball.

This first pitch had everything you could ask for. Do you like good first pitches that zip right into the catcher’s glove? We got you covered. Do you like terrible first pitches that sail off in random directions? No problem. Do you like oddly delivered first pitches that eschew the traditional overhand method? Check.

When you watch this first pitch, you don’t know where to look. There’s too much going on. You have to watch it multiple times to fully appreciate its greatness. It’s like a movie that you watch over and over, and you see something new every time, like spotting the green shirt guy in the movie Grease. Behold the wonder that is this incredible first pitch: