Matt Helton: Beekeeper enjoys 'surreal' experience after MLB heroics, gets trading card deal

CNN
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Beekeeper Matt Hilton said the last few days had been “crazy” after becoming… Latest star From Major League Baseball.

Hilton became a hero on Tuesday after he was called to deal with a swarm of bees that was delaying the Arizona Diamondbacks' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With just five minutes to go in the game, the squad settled into the net behind home plate, but Helton arrived to save the day, much to the delight of the fans waiting inside Chase Field in Arizona.

“It was crazy. I knew it was going to be an interesting experience. I mean I was going to Chase Field and the Diamondbacks and Dodgers were going to play,” Helton said. CNN SportsDon Riddle.

“So I knew it was going to be a great experience, but it wasn't until I got out on the field in the buggy and the fans were going crazy that it kind of hit me with how big of a deal this was and it turned into a really great experience for me.

Hilton took to the field to the tune of “MVP” and Bonnie Tyler's “Hold Out for a Hero” as he worked, spraying and vacuuming away the bees. The bees were scheduled to be released after that, according to the league.

Hilton's efforts were later rewarded with the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Although he was disappointed with his performance from the mound, the Beekeeper certainly made the most of his time in the spotlight, impressing thousands of fans.

“It was so surreal. I didn't expect any of this craziness to happen. I thought I was going to go do my job and be on my way home, but once I took care of the bees, it spiraled out of control. Anything I thought would happen,” he added.

“When I got on the court, I saw how loud the crowd was when I did a couple of fist bumps and I said, ‘Okay, I'm going to get more fist pumps and play on this a little bit,' and it kind of helped me calm my nerves a little bit as well, so it definitely helped me and I decided To enjoy it.

Hilton, of Blue Sky Pest Control, received a phone call while at his son's soccer game, and said his six-year-old son was a little “upset” because his father had to leave.

The blow was softened somewhat after he was able to watch his father throw the first pitch and be interviewed on the sideline.

“I think he's since forgiven me,” Hilton added.

After he held his nerve and successfully cleared the bees, the game went to extra innings before the Diamondbacks won it in the top 10, 4-3.

However, the spotlight is still on Hilton after the beekeeper's efforts were rewarded with his own Topps trading card.

“We've signed Matt Helton (the bee specialist from last night's game) and we're making autograph cards of his all-time great performance,” Topps said. It was announced in Xformerly known as Twitter.

The Arizona Diamondbacks responded with a post, saying: “This may truly be the pinnacle of society as we know it.”

The team is also offering “buy one, get one” tickets for this weekend's games against the San Diego Padres, calling them “free tickets” in honor of Hilton's heroics.