APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Eight time Jeopardy! winner and St Norbert College Professor Ben Chan threw the first pitch Saturday at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game.
Chan has won over $228,000 during his winning streak, which has broken the record for the most consecutive ‘runaway’ victories in the history of the show.
Although Chan used to play baseball, he still got nervous before hitting the field.
“I played through college at a small college, I guess I’m nervous about that because I should be able to throw out the first pitch pretty well,” says Chan.
Chan says when the Timber Rattlers reached out to him to throw the first pitch, the team did not know he would be on this winning streak.
“This is like the cherry on top of the winning streak, and it’s such a beautiful day,” says Chan.
Chan says not only has he been receiving support from St. Norbert College, but also from people all over Northeast Wisconsin.
“I was at Lox Stock’n Bagel the other day and I was sitting down ready to get my order, and I think the table next to me might’ve thought it was me so they started talking about Jeopardy!…It’s great that I’ve been able to share the love with everybody,” says Chan.
Timber Rattlers fans were excited to see Chan at Saturday’s game.
“We watch Jeopardy! every night and it’s just been phenomenal, and he is just excellent…so its great to see him here. It’s like a celebrity,” says Dick Christian.
“I watch Jeopardy! every night, like faithfully, and I just think he’s the greatest, and it’s just neat seeing somebody from the area on Jeopardy!,” says Connie Whittaker.
With his winnings, Chan has big plans to go on a cross country trip next summer.
Ben Chan returns to Jeopardy! on Monday at 6 p.m. on FOX 11.
