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Amongst Peter Alonso, P.J. Conlon, Kevin Kaczmarski, Patrick Mazeika, Drew Smith, Corey Taylor, Tim Tebow, David Thompson and Adonis Uceta, one name stands out to even the most casual sports fan. Tebow, often seen as an enigma in the sports world, has secured a spot to Major League camp, alongside the other candidates. Many baseball fans called for Tebow’s head throughout his short baseball career, due to his past as a college football star. After being drafted by the Denver Broncos, Tebow went on to have a short lived career at quarterback, where he even played for the New York Jets.
Once his window closed for the NFL, Tebow turned his attention to the studio. It seemed that he was settled in nicely, until he decided to turn his focus to professional baseball. This was a head scratcher to some, but for Tebow it was a natural move. He was an elite ball player in high school, being named to the all-state team in his junior year. The Mets, being the team that they are, jumped at the opportunity to acquire the outfielder.
While he showed flashes of his potential, Tebow never had any consistent success to warrant going above the Single A level. He finished with a .226 batting average along with eight home runs and 52 RBIs. Although his numbers don’t exactly jump out of the book at you, they show that there may be some potential for him. While he probably won’t make the major leagues, he is a solid minor league player. Every team has players in their system that they know won’t make it to the big leagues. Which is why it is so ridiculous that Tebow receives all of the hate that he does.
To start, he brings in great income and attendance to wherever he plays. Before Tim Tebow came to the St. Lucie Mets, they averaged about 1,700 fans per game. After the 2007 Heisman winner joined the squad, they managed to average over 2,400 fans at every game. Minor league teams have struggled to bring large crowds to their stadiums, and it is astonishing that a single player is able to bring that many people in. It is thought widely that he was only brought in to bring revenue in, and if so, Tebow has succeeded at that. You can’t fault the man for the Wilpons having monetary intentions with him.
Not only has Tebow provided the Mets with what they have expected him to do, he has done it while projecting a positive image. We see far too many minor league players test positive for performance enhancing drugs, which is a terrible example to set for young fans. He is a great example of what someone can accomplish if they put their mind to it.
While I am all for criticizing a player’s performance, I am not appreciative of those who attack a player’s character. While Tebow may not be the best player out on the field, it gives people no right to attack who he is as a person. I will always root for him, and I hope others do as well. When he struggles in his attempted climb to the MLB, let’s attack his stats and not who he is.
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I agree. Talent-wise Tebow may be Taijerone lite, but he is not deserving of the derision. Everything I’ve read says he works hard.
Saw him in Columbia last summer in a game where he hustled on ground ball back to the pitcher, K’d twice, and made a nice, lunging catch after a long run. After that meh performance, he stayed & signed autographs at the rail until every single kid was satisfied and then acknowledged a round of applause as he headed to the dugout. Definitely an asset to that MiL franchise.
The team certainly knew Tebow as a long shot to make the team, but that he might improve attendance.
His play isn’t anywhere near major league level, but there are dozens of guys in the organization who profile much like him and no one’s complaining that they’re getting at bats.
While I’m not a Tim Tebow fan for a variety of reasons he does have the attitude and work ethic needed to succeed in sports or anything else. He brings his high profile to a minor league environment and his hustle and work habits can’t help but rub off on the players he plays with. My guess is he does more by example than any coach in the organization can do from the dugout. He is an asset to the organization.
Tebow has a a tough assignment as others reconcile his athletic dream to the Carnival side show of the commercialization of his journey as a spectacle. There’s a strongly cynical side to the whole thing:…. I believe he’s hitching his dream shot to the value the Mets have identified…. fair trade
Sorry, I cant stand for Tebow at any level. His only talent is a carnival barker. Lets see, a 29 year old batting .226 in A ball accompanied by absolutely no other baseball value; quite a prospect there for big league camp. I don’t care if he runs out ground balls all the way to third base. Absolutely zero business on a baseball team — except for putting money in the hands of ownership that will never be put back on the field, building a total delusion the guy can play baseball, and worst of all, stealing attention and a roster spot from players that matter. Let him sign autographs in the parking lot. Id rather see Mr Met get those ABs, at least he will be in Queens in April.
Ok, here’s my two cents worth –
I am not a college football fan, so I was not a Tebow fan per se…didn’ t seen him play until the NFL. He was underwhelming NFL-wise despite being an elite athlete.
I get that his celebrity outweighs his post-college accomplishments, but I don’t understand what all the fuss is regarding the Mets buying a lottery ticket on him. I think everyone understands what a long shot it is for him to make and/or have any impact in the bigs. Teams roll the dice with a lot more money on 16 year olds. The guy works hard and is a good teammate by all accounts. As was stated above, that won’t get anyone to the bigs, but I will ask those that are so opposed, how many 28 year olds that didn’t play baseball since high school could hold their own in high A-ball after one year of intense training? The are no comps for that, perhaps barring Michael Jordan, so really what is there to lose? Of course he will need to show significant improvement this next season, quite unlikely, but if he does, we’ll see what happens next.
Tebow was a publicity stunt from the beginning. He is taking the spot of a young player who could be developed.
Sorry, I don’t think he should be in the Mets system and certainly not invited to the big league camp.
OK…this is the second time “post-Tsunami” that this site has seeded a discussion on “Fan Hate” toward a Player, the first being the Article on Jay Bruce. Met Fans appear to have “hate” for Chase Utley… I can’t name another player they hate. They do seem ready to Hate Matt Harvey…Strange. Maybe I’m wrong on that.
They also Hate Management and Ownership of this team because Management and Ownership of this team Sucks big time.
Are we only banned from discussing The hatred for Mets Management??? Player Hate is a valid topic?
I thought we were gonna be all positive and stuff.