On Wednesday, a moment many had been waiting to witness unfolded in a meaningless exhibition between the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox: Tim Tebow’s first real look at Major League pitching.
And for Tebow, who struck out looking twice and grounded into a double play all the while wearing a generic No. 97 jersey with no name plate instead of his usual No. 15, it didn’t go extraordinarily well.
Afterward there were jeers and calls for the Mets to be embarrassed over Tebow getting exposed by high-caliber pitchers.
But regarding Tebow getting a chance to follow his dream of playing in the big leagues, Denver Post Rockies beat reporter Patrick Saunders said, “I’m all for it.”
Joining 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” on Wednesday, Saunders linked Tebow with another former athlete-turned-ball player, Michael Jordan, and said “more power to him” in his pursuit.
“You know, Michael Jordan tried it. He failed. Tim Tebow’s getting his shot. He’s popular. Fans love him. It’s a break from the riggers of spring training,” Saunders said. “The odds are about one-gazillion to one that he’ll ever make the Majors, but …”
“But, you know what? More power to him. He’s chasing his dream. The Mets gave him a shot. The fans love him. I say more power to him. Good for him.”
As for the jersey, Saunders said it’s likely just the Mets treating their superstar rookie like any other prospect of camp invitee.
“I heard from some of the Rockies, and that’s the one thing that they were kind of grumbling about. I don’t think they care about the marketing and the money. … But I don’t think they like the idea if Tebow had come in and be able to wear No. 15 because they don’t like that,” Saunders said.
According to the USA Today, Tebow and the Mets entered into an “bridge agreement” when he signed with the organization last summer to sell merchandise with his name and famed No. 15.
Typically, only players on the 25-man Major League roster have their jerseys sold, but the agreement allowed the Mets to capitalize on Tebow’s name recognition.
But a “rookies is a rookie is a rookie,” Saunders said, and guys not on the roster show up wearing numbers like No. 97.
“Those are the numbers the prospects and the camp invitees wear. They don’t get to wear No. 15,” Saunders said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
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