A Tribute in Flight
On August 23, the Ontario Tower Buzzers baseball club will stage a special evening at ONT Field, inviting fans to celebrate the life of Jackie, a bald eagle that captured the imagination of viewers around the globe.
Jackie’s story began in July 2023 when she was found grounded after a clash with two younger eagles, a moment that led to her rescue and transport to a rehabilitation center. Though she fought a prolonged battle with severe anemia, emaciation and dehydration, the eagle succumbed on August 10, leaving a void in the online community that had followed her every move.
The bird’s fame sprang from the live feed of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, where Jackie and her longtime mate Shadow raised 25 eggs over several years, hatching ten eaglets that became internet sensations. Her image, broadcast by Friends of Big Bear Valley, turned a remote corner of California into a pilgrimage site for wildlife enthusiasts.
Half of the proceeds from ‘Fly High, Jackie Night’ will be directed to the nonprofit, helping sustain its conservation work and the popular nest cam that continues to stream the lives of the remaining eagles. The event marks one of the first public tributes organized since her death, underscoring the deep connection between sport, community and environmental stewardship.
Beyond the diamond, Jackie’s legacy lives on in classrooms, research circles and the hearts of those who watched her soar on screen. As the Buzzers take the field, the night will blend the crack of bats with the echo of wings, a reminder that even in loss, a symbol can inspire collective action.