Tim Tebow electrifies crowd with his first big moment of spring training
It seems as though New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow’s every move is watched by legions of fans.
Of course, it only made sense, then, that all eyes would be on the former Heisman winner-turned baseball prospect as he played in Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
With the Mets splitting their squad (the other half of the team faced the Houston Astros), Tebow got the rare chance to both start the game and bat cleanup, the spot normally reserved for a team’s most prominent power hitter.
As the home crowd at Port St. Lucie, Florida, waited with baited breath for Tebow to do something exciting, he delivered in his second at-bat of the game.
Facing renowned Nationals prospect Erick Fedde, the former Florida star wasted no time. He jumped on the first pitch and drove the ball into left-center field for a solid base hit.
As Tebow rounded first before settling for a single, the crowd’s reaction was unmistakable — cheers all the way around.
It was the first time Tebow had reached base safely so far this spring, as noted by Mets blog Rising Apple.
Despite the hit, Tebow’s day at the plate did not come without some disappointment.
In his first at-bat, he faced reigning Cy Young Award winner, Max Scherzer, and it was clear to all in attendance who won that matchup.
Scherzer needed just three pitches to strike Tebow out looking. All told, the entire at-bat took less than a minute.
It’s been and up-and-down spring training thus far for Tebow. Last week, he injured his ankle in a freak accident involving a sprinkler head.
Fortunately for Tebow, the Mets and all of his many adoring fans, the injury turned out not to be too serious, and it didn’t stop him from launching some absolute bombs during batting practice.
It remains to be seen what role Tebow will play for the Mets in 2018. It’s likely that he’ll start the year in the minor leagues, but depending on how the Mets fare this season, he could get a call-up to the majors at some point.
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