Tim Tebow adds off-field benefit to New York Mets
Sep 22, 2016, 9:21 PM
Perhaps Tim Tebow will never see the field in a Major League game, but his mere presence at the New York Mets’ instructional league may be adding a perhaps unforeseen benefit to those around him.
The former Denver Broncos quarterback is no rookie when it comes to dealing with throngs of media.
And he’s played not only for one of the highest profile college football universities (Florida) and a major NFL market (Denver), he’s dealt with both the New York (Jets) and national media.
So, despite his longshot changes of actually playing in the bigs, ESPN’s Pedro Gomez told “C.J. and Stokley” Thursday that Tebow is helping acclimate the 57 other Mets instructional league players to the New York media horde.
“This is the New York Mets. They play in New York, which is the largest media market in the country,” Gomez said. “And even though the other 57 players in camp weren’t there to be looked at, they got to watch and soak in what it’s like to see the media in action.
“And there’s a benefit to that, especially if you do make it to the New York Mets, in learning how the whole media/athlete part takes place.”
Those who have molded Tebow’s dugout dreams into a somewhat legitimate shot to catch on with an MLB team continue to say, “He is going to shock the world and make it,” Gomez said, but he and scouts believe his age is a huge consideration.
“The thing is, when you look at the roster, there were 58 players invited to the Mets’ instructional league. And I think it was 94 percent were 22 years and younger, and he’s 29,” Gomez said. “So the odds are definitely stacked against him.”
At the very lease, Tebow and the Mets will be able to capitalize on the former quarterback’s cachet in the form of jersey sales.
According to ESPN.com, Tebow’s No. 15 Mets jersey was the top seller on Monday on Fanatics and MLB’s online shop.