Frank Robb has become an instant celebrity in Chicago, and last night the Chicago Cubs honored the alligator expert. Robb was brought to the Windy City to catch an alligator that had been found in Humboldt Park last week, and the park was closed over the weekend in order to try to get the gator — dubbed “Chance the Snapper” — to emerge from the lake.
Thank you to alligator expert Frank Robb, who safely and humanely captured the Humboldt Park Lagoon alligator, for joining us tonight! pic.twitter.com/mXMFfKzdSU
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 16, 2019
Robb is the owner of Crocodilian Specialist Services in St. Augustine, Florida, and was able to catch the alligator early Tuesday morning with just a fishing pole. Robb has been catching alligators for 24 years, and he gave some pretty matter-of-fact answers when asked how he was able to catch the alligator so quickly.
While in Chicago, Robb decided to check out a Cubs game, and when the Cubs discovered his plans, they offered him the opportunity to make his visit to the Windy City even better by letting him throw out the first pitch.
It was certainly Robb’s day as he ascended the mound and threw a strike. We’ve seen plenty of celebrities miss the plate completely as they have overestimated their abilities by stepping on the mound, but Robb looped one right over the plate.
As for the game, the Cubs gave up three runs in the first inning but didn’t allow a run afterward and eventually came back to win 4-3 in 10 innings. Kyle Schwarber’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th sealed it for the Cubbies, giving Robb the chance to see the W raised.
There are no plans for what to do with the alligator just yet, but “Chance the Snapper” is likely to end up at a local zoo or sanctuary. He is still growing at just five feet in length and 40 pounds.
H/T ESPN & Chicago Tribune
