The internet has found its latest boyfriend: “Bee guy.” Phoenix-area pest-control technician Matt Hilton became a massive baseball star in a matter of hours when he came to the rescue at yesterday’s Dodgers–Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. According to USA Today, there was a bee colony nesting in the protective netting 30 feet above home plate. Just before the game was set to begin, the team managers made a last-minute decision to call Hilton, who was a 45-minute drive away, watching his 6-year-old son’s T-ball game.
“Holding Out for a Hero” played on the stadium loudspeakers as Hilton was hoisted up on some expensive machinery, bee hood on. According to the Los Angeles Times, he sprayed a non-pesticidal solution on the bees before humanely vacuuming them up. Thankfully, someone in the stands filmed the entire removal process:
Once the bees were safely in their container, Hilton descended to thunderous applause and chants of MVP (“Most Valuable Pollinator-remover,” as one Google reviewer who attended the game wrote). He was asked to throw the ceremonial first pitch, which he did with charm and pizzazz, throwing off his beekeeper hood for dramatic effect afterward. “Matt Hilton, 37-year-old father of four, movie-star good looks, now a superstar,” summarized one announcer.
“I kind of ate it up a little bit for a little moment,” Hilton told the Times of the attention. “It was a little nerve-racking, I’m not going to lie. Lot of pressure to get this game going. But I was happy to come and take care of it.” Swoon.
