Tebow-time a success, but the player is a work in progress – Asbury Park Press

Tim Tebow signed a lot of autographs May 16 in Lakewood. Follow along as he walks the autograph line at FirstEnergy Park. Steve Feitl

Tim Tebow takes a selfie with John Herrera of New York City at FirstEnergy Park on Tuesday.(Photo: Steve Feitl)

LAKEWOOD - Tim Tebow did his thing one last time at the Jersey Shore on Tuesday, unlikely ever to return to the area, atleast in a baseball uniform.

There's no doubt this guy gets it. He's been an incredible ambassador for the Mets organization, spending time signing autographs, taking selfies and engaging with his teammate and opponents. He's doing it all the right way as he lugs his own gear and takesthe long bus rides with the Single-A Columbia Fireflies, while doing everything he can to make up for lost time against guys who were fresh out of Little League when he was winning the Heisman Trophy.

Some of the numbers surrounding his three-day stay in Lakewood have been impressive, to say the least. Around 23,000 fans fans poured through the FirstEnergy Park turnstiles, driving revenues for the Lakewood BlueClaws and energizing an already solid fan base. He's done it everywhere the Fireflies have traveled this spring.

Had Saturday's game not been rained out, the Lakewood BlueClaws were anticipating a crowd of more than 10,000 fans, which would have made it the second highest attendance total in franchise history, behind the 13,003 that showed up to see a team led by Gavin Floyd and Ryan Howard play the final game of the 2002 season.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

As for some of the other numbers surrounding Tebow's visit, not so much.

APP SPORTS AWARDS:Celebrate the best of the Shore!

Like Tebow's sub-.240 batting average, fivestrikeouts and no hits in the series through his first fourtrips to the plate Tuesday night, hitting into a double-play with bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fourth. In the top of the sixth, he got a run home on a groundout to second that the fielder could not handle. He reached on an error and the Fireflies' second run came home, with Tebow eventually scoring.

In left field, he looks uncomfortable, absent of the sharp baseball instincts players who have been at non-stop for the past decade possess.

And maybe that's about right.

Tebow always has been a conundrum as athlete.

He quarterbacked theDenver Broncos to the postseason, and won a playoff game. Except that he simply couldn't throw the ball well enough and the Broncos turned to Peyton Manning to win a world championship, with Tebow's pro football career eventually flaming out.

Now Tebow is a soon-to-be 30-year-old trying to make it to the big leagues. And given what we've seen so far, it's highly unlikely he'll ever earn his way into a game at Citi Field.

Tim Tebow takes a swing the batting cage before Tuesday's game at First-Energy Park.(Photo: Steve Feitl)

So while it's already something of a circus, with a first-year prospect emerging as the biggest story in minor league baseball, here's to hoping the Mets dont take advantage of the situation.

Sure, you have to push the issue and find out if Tebow is ever going to progress through the farm system. But he deserves better than to be marched through the ranks trying to sell tickets and make up for the failings at the major league level.

The Mets were the ones that decided to take a chance, and the public relations aspect to all of this played a role in it. Tebow has clearly held up his end, assimilating to a lifestyle far removed from the one he had grown accustomed to, while doing everything the organization could have asked of him, and more.

Its hard not to root for him to succeed. It would be an inspiring, uplifting story to see an athlete who fell from favor in one sport return to the highest level in another. It's a Disney move for sure.

But if it doesn't work out, Tebow shouldnt be reduced to some carnival sideshow. Just send him back to the broadcast booth, and thank him for his hard work. Because he's certainly going to thank you for giving him a chance.

Staff Writer Stephen Edelson is an Asbury Park Press columnist: sedelson@gannettnj.com

Tim Tebow took batting practice May 16 in Lakewood.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

See the original post:

Tebow-time a success, but the player is a work in progress - Asbury Park Press