But, for as loudly and Tebow and his agent have proclaimed that his burgeoning baseball career is no publicity stunt, the quarterback-turned-outfielder made a curious request of the New York Mets: If I sign with you, can I have Saturdays free to keep my job at ESPN?
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“This decision was driven by baseball, we are intrigued with the potential he has”, Alderson said.
And, the athlete’s website (which links to TDAutographs) is selling not only memorabilia from Tebow’s storied college career – and less storied National Football League one – it is also selling signed autograph baseball bats.
“We don’t have to listen to what everybody else wants us to do with our lives”, Tebow said during a telephone conference call.
But even if it’s hard to doubt why Tebow says he is doing this – returning to the game he loves for one last chance at athletic glory, allowing himself to go forward in life unburdened by the weight of what-if – it is just as fair to doubt the wisdom of his choice.
The Mets did not guarantee an invitation to major-league spring training in 2017 and are permitting Tebow to fulfill his employment obligation as a studio host with SEC Network. A month ago, he predicted Tim Tebow would land a baseball contract. “But we may decide that additional, more personalized instruction is appropriate over the course of the fall rather than something organized, because it’s about development, not necessarily just getting at-bats or playing time”. There’s nothing set for Tebow after instructional league ends after three weeks.
Now, on September 8, he has a minor-league contract with the Mets. “We’re mindful of the fact that Tim is starting this endeavor at age 29, and there’s a certain amount of realism we have to accept”.
“I think that is underscored by his competitiveness and his determination to succeed and to improve”, he added.
“The idea that any one player has no chance of making it to the big leagues, I reject”, he said.
When asked what position he would like to play, the athlete said “My best position is whatever they feel like it is”, he said.
“That’s something I’ve committed to do”, Tebow said. “Now, he’s taking on major league baseball and I’m rooting for him”. We understand he’s 29 years old.
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“I think that any player evaluation starts with tools”, he said. “I get to go pursue my passion and what I love”.
