PREVIEW

Cincinnati Reds' Sam The Bald Eagle Retires After 20 Years At The Plate. The Cincinnati Reds’ beloved bald eagle ‘mascot’ Sam has retired from appearing at games after 20 years. Sam, who is a resident of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, has soared over crowds there and at the Reds’ Great American Ballpark (GABP) over the years. Sadly, after a recent diagnosis of cataracts, he is retiring and made a final appearance at his home ballpark on 25 June. At the Reds game where he was walked out by his long-time trainer, Eddie Annal, during the singing of the National Anthem. “Vision is so important to eagles,” said Annal.  “Sam has flown down from the outfield to the mound at GABP hundreds of times in the past two decades.  “Thanks to all that repetition and training, he knows the general direction to go but still needs to be able to see where to land. Zoo veterinarian Dr. Mike Wenninger examined Sam and found partial bilateral cataracts and recommended that he retire from flying. Thankfully, Sam will still be able to live a good life at the Zoo - but his days giving displays of his majestic flying abilities are now over. He joined the Zoo after he was found injured by the side of the road in 1999 when he was just months old. Keepers thought he may never take flight due to wing damage - but he defied the odds to glide around the Reds’ home like he owned the place. Now, he’ll enjoy a well-earned rest - but remain as an incredible ambassador for his species.