Mariners to honor James Paxton with ‘Big Maple’ bobblehead

Mariners to honor James Paxton with ‘Big Maple’ bobblehead By Evan Sporer
Ladner native James Paxton continues to enjoy the fruits of throwing a no-hitter.
The ace of the Seattle Mariners staff, who threw the sixth no-hitter in franchise history 11 days ago in Toronto, will get his own bobblehead, a giveaway at Safeco Field July 1 when Seattle plays host to the Kansas City Royals.
The bobblehead itself is a brilliant piece of artwork: It’s a nod to Paxton’s nickname, “Big Maple,” with the maple leaf-shaped pitching mound he’s standing on.
On his right shoulder sits a bald eagle, not very Canadian at all, but a funny callback to the Minnesota Twins home-opener, when a rogue bird got a little too friendly with Paxton during the singing of the national anthem.
MORE: James Paxton’s no-hitter confirms he’s the ace the Mariners need
Paxton, who put together his best season as a pro in 2017 with a 12-5 record and a sub-3 ERA didn’t get off to a flying start in 2018; he had gone 1-1 over his first seven starts with a 4.19 ERA prior to throwing the no-hitter (though the Mariners were still 4-3 in the games he started).
He followed up that historic achievement with yet another no-decision, going six innings and surrendering three runs on six hits, exiting the game with Seattle losing, 3-2.
Paxton was nearly un-hittable again on Saturday, throwing his second complete game of the season, striking out eight while allowing three hits and two runs. He lowered his ERA to 3.30 while picking up his third win of the season.