When the New York Mets signed Tim Tebow to a minor league contract, the move was derided in many circles as a publicity stunt for a washed up athlete who couldn't make it in his chosen sport — football.
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That attitude may be changing a bit.
Tebow hit his fifth homer since being promoted to the Mets High A affiliate, and this one was a three-run blast for the St. Lucie Mets.
Tebow has been tremendous.
If he's not making amazing defensive plays, he's doing stuff like this — hitting game winning home runs.
Tebow, now 29, was promoted late last month to the New York Mets High A affiliate in Port St. Lucie which led, in many quarters, to a simple question — why? He started his career at low A Columbia and slashed .220/.311/.336 — hardly Ruthian numbers. But in a very small sample at in a more difficult minor league, he's slashed .303/.389/.495 with an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) at .884. Those are serious prospect numbers. But remember, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback is more than five years older than the median age prospect in the Florida State League, so it is men among boys.
But now, fans will have to wonder whether the lowly Mets will call up Tebow in September for a little publicity, especially since their crosstown rivals New Yankees are headed fo the playoffs.
