A striking beekeeper stole the show at Tuesday night’s matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, going viral in the process and giving everyone a new appreciation for pest control workers.
37-year-old Matt Hilton, affectionately dubbed “Bee Guy” by social media, was called to Chase Field in Phoenix ahead of last night’s game to remove a bee colony which had set up camp in the net behind home plate.
Footage of Hilton’s brave mission quickly turned up on social media. One clip shows the Blue Sky Pest Control manager rising to meet the hive on a scissor lift as the crowd goes wild, Bonnie Tyler’s song "Holding Out for a Hero" blaring over the sound system. As he vacuumed up the clusters of bees and sprayed their hive with a “nonpesticidal solution,” Hilton seemed to be relishing his moment in the spotlight.
“I need a hero” played while the beekeeper ended the game delay in Arizona ???? pic.twitter.com/Y5lwyeWVrY
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 1, 2024
Hilton proved to be such an immediate and astonishing success that he was asked to throw out the game’s first pitch. After strutting onto the field, Hilton dramatically tossed back his beekeeper’s mask to reveal his face to the 30,000 screaming fans.
Bee Guy is a LEGEND ???? pic.twitter.com/LOjUAnJF0s
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) May 1, 2024
After soaking up the stadium’s applause, Hilton was made available for interviews. Hilton told MLB.com that he was at his six-year-old son’s final T-ball game of the season when he got the urgent call to rush to Chase Field.
“I thought I was just here to take care of a bee problem,” he said when asked about the crowd’s feral reaction. “People were pretty hyped up. It was pretty cool.”
Of getting to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, Hilton said: “That was pretty cool. I can’t say I’ve had that experience before, and probably won’t again, but it was pretty awesome.”
Hilton later spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the whirlwind experience. “It was a little nerve-racking, I’m not going to lie,” he admitted. “Lot of pressure to get this game going. But I was happy to come and take care of it.”
The attention lavished upon him was simply a bonus, as far as Hilton was concerned. “I kind of ate it up a little bit for a little moment,” he admitted, laughing. “It was a fun time.”
It’s unclear if Hilton will continue to capitalize on his 15 minutes of fame, but it seems that MLB fans would be more than happy to welcome him back.
Bee Guy was loving every minute of this! ???????? pic.twitter.com/4yeGXPHHsj
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 1, 2024
