New York Mets: Why Tim Tebow is important to the organization

This spring, the New York Mets invited outfielder Tim Tebow to spring training. Whether he makes the team or not, he is an important member of the organization.

Before I write anything on this topic, religion and/or politics out of the equation. Whether you or I like New York Mets prospect Tim Tebow or dislike him is irrelevant to this article. This story is about baseball and baseball intangibles. He has been a member of the New York Mets organization since 2016, and that relationship doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon.

Tebow is 31 years old and may never make it to the Major Leagues. If he does get called up, it may not be a long stay due to his age. That doesn’t mean his presence in the organization should be taken for granted or blown off as a publicity stunt. Tim Tebow hasn’t torn up the minors, but he isn’t embarrassing himself or the New York Mets either. Last season, he hit .273 at Double-A Binghamton.

As a matter of fact, in January during a press conference at Citi Field, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said the North Florida native might make it to the show in 2019.

"“He’s a guy that is fueled by challenges and I think we’re excited to get him back into camp and — hopefully after a trip to Syracuse — he can prove to us and everybody in baseball that he can make an impact in the big leagues,” Van Wagenen concluded."

If Tebow makes to Flushing or not, he is still an important member of the Mets organization for several reasons

He likes baseball

Unlike most of the players system-wide who show up to Port St. Lucie this spring, Tebow doesn’t need to be there. He made money as an NFL first-round pick in 2010. Additionally, Tebow currently has a well-paying gig with ESPN networks as a college football analyst.

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Tim Tebow plays professional baseball because he likes to. Say what you want about baseball being a kids game that grown men get paid for. Not many people have the patience in life to put up with a bus trip from Binghamton, NY to Manchester, NH, play three games in two days and get back on the bus to go to Richmond, VA for another set of games before heading home. Not only does Tebow do it, he appreciates it. His positive attitude is something that is needed on any team.

Winner

I remember an interview I heard once with Texas Rangers general manager John Daniels. He was asked why the Rangers invited Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson (since traded to the Yankees) to spring training every year. To paraphrase, Daniels said he thought it was important as an organization, from top to bottom, to see how a champion prepares to do a job and how he carries himself.

It’s the same for Tebow and the Mets. Remember, he won a college football national championship as the University of Florida’s quarterback in 2008. There aren’t many people on earth that have led a team to victory a such a large stage. His experiences as a champion and the work ethic it takes to achieve it are an example for everyone who works for the New York Mets at any level.

Leadership

As mentioned earlier Tebow is 31. Because of his age, he is likely to be a senior member of any baseball team he plays for, especially in the minors. The younger guys are naturally going to look up to him regardless of the level he plays at. Go back to the above video, where Ron Darling talks about Tebow’s work ethic. He leads by example.

He also has experience in a leadership role as a former quarterback. Tebow knows exactly what it’s like to be the guy in the huddle everyone is looking to for strength when things get tough on the field. In trenches of a fight, you want someone with his leadership ability in the same foxhole.

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Again, none of the above reasons as to why Tim Tebow is important to the New York Mets has anything to do with religion and/or politics. He’s a man with a winning pedigree, that knows how to lead elite athletes, works hard and does it all with a great attitude. Show me a sports team that doesn’t need players with those qualities.

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