“It was crazy. I knew it was going to be an interesting experience,” said Hilton, the game’s ‘MVB’ (Most Valuable Beekeeper).
“I mean, I’m going to Chase Field and the Diamondbacks and Dodgers playing,” Hilton told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell. “So I knew it was going to be a cool experience, but it wasn’t until I went out on the field in the buggy and the fans were just going crazy that it kind of hit me just how big of a deal this was and it just turned into a really neat experience for me.”
Hilton’s work was greeted with standing ovations, and he was rewarded with a chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
And thanks to Topp’s, Hilton’s heroics are more than just a memory. Within 24 hours Topps signed a Name, Image and Likeness deal with Hilton, and announced on X the release of a limited edition of autographed cards.
“We’ve signed a deal with Matt Hilton (the Bee Specialist from last night’s game) and we’re making autograph cards from his all-time great performance,” Topps announced.
“It’s been very surreal, I did not expect any of this craziness to happen, I thought I was just gonna go do my job and be on my way home, but once I took care of the bees, it just spiraled way out of control of anything I thought was going to happen,” Hilton recalled in an interview with CNN after the game.
“When I got on the field, I saw just how loud the crowd was when I did a couple fist bumps and I was like ‘Ay, I’m gonna get a couple more fist bumps and play to this a little bit,’ and it kind of helped loosen my nerves a little bit too, so it definitely helped me out and I just decided to have fun with it.”
Hilton, of Blue Sky Pest Control, had gotten the call while at his son’s tee-ball game and said his six-year-old was a little “bummed” that his dad had to leave.
The grateful Arizona Diamondbacks also expressed their appreciation for Hilton’s all-star performance with a post on X, saying, “This might truly be the peak of society as we know it.”
The team also offered “buy-one-get-one” tickets for their weekend games against the San Diego Padres, calling them “free-bee” tickets in honor of Hilton’s heroics.