The New York Mets confirm they have signed former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to a minor-league contract.
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Neither side is afraid to fail.
Tebow will report to the Instructional League on September 18 in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. But it does bring on plenty of questions about what Tebow’s realistic chances are to reach the major leagues, or whether the outsized publicity that automatically comes with Tebow was an additional motivation for the Mets organization.
“This is our opportunity to associate with excellence”.
“Whether that translates into a major league uniform, as Tim has eloquently pointed out, it’s about the process”, he continued. We can’t control the outcome, we can only enhance the possibility for success.
Tebow, 29, has not played baseball since 2004, his junior year of high school in Florida.
But even that informal setting – which will run until October 8 – won’t be devoid of controversy. ESPN hired him as a football analyst in late 2013. “For me, when I commit to do something, it’s my word”. I love doing it and I really enjoy it, and it’s something I will continue to do during the fall.
“But in the week, I’ll be working as hard as I can”.
The display prompted many baseball insiders to say Tebow would get a shot with a team, though not at the major league level – at least initially.
Alderson insisted it’s not part of the agreement. “As an organization, we’re going to provide that development opportunity for time”.
“The playoff game in Denver when they beat the Steelers a few years ago, I think that’s what sparked his legacy. And we understand that he’s a tremendous competitor and will be a role model for the players in our system”.
Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy during a successful college football career at the University of Florida.
And he’s sure that Tebow’s pursuit of a baseball career is absolutely honest.
While he won’t be a part of the Mets’ 40-man roster anytime soon, if ever, the image of Tebow wearing the Mets’ traditional blue and orange, even in the Instructional League down in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he will begin his foray into pro baseball, will doubtlessly result in an nearly instant fervor and even bigger following for the 29-year-old outfield prospect.
After that, Tebow’s first full pro season, starting back at Port St. Lucie in spring training.
Should that happen, the attention will surely ramp up, the detractors’ voices perhaps growing louder. What they are about to find out could be tougher to handle, that everything Tebow touches is wonderful at the start, but doesn’t always end well.
“There’s going to be mixed emotions, I’m sure”, Decker said.
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“I just get to go pursue my passion, ” Tebow said.
