I had the opportunity to watch him play last night for the Columbia Fireflies agaisnt the hometown Lakewood Blue Claws in a Single A South Atlantic League game. This was the last of a four game set that saw the stadium sell out and then some for each game. Apparently he sells out at every stop. First the player.... very heavily muscled, too much so for the speed, quickness and flexability needed for baseball. Plays LF, wears #15. Had two balls hit to him that he played cleanly. Average arm. Runs well for a big man but no real threat on the bases. left handed batter but the Of plays him extreme opposite ( right field was basically vacant when he hit ). Went 0-4 with a run and an RBI. Came up with bases full and nobody out . The previous hitters reached by two walks and HBP so naturally he hacks away at the first pitch and hits into a DP. Unfortunately he went 0 for four games here and left town hitting just north of .220 with 2 HRs for the season to date. Now the person.... very crowd friendly. Hands baseballs to kids every inning. Selfies with fans all night. Big cheerleader in the dugout. Really hustles. Always smiling. Fans for the most part love him. He is making a fortune for these franchises. You cannot help but to root for him because her represents wholesome values in a world that does not for the most part. I think he has long, perhaps impossible road but I wish him well.
Seems to be the story wherever he goes George. I can't imagine him making good in the majors but I can sure hope for him.
If he does no better performance-wise than where he is now - and that's likely - his presence has been great for the game as evidenced by the crowds George described. It wouldn't surprise me if he saw this journey as a mission, given his family's history.
Pretty good (but long) article in SI regarding Tebow; http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/04/18/tim-tebow-baseball
He has always been that guy George. I watched my then 18 year old's face light up when he saw Tim play for the first time back in 2008 vs. LSU. After the win Tebow made his customary run around the stadium slapping hands with all at the railing as he went by. It was quite a sight. But still to this day in the minds of many Gator fans it was that spectacle and the pure threat of it that basically blackballed him in the NFL.... that and a carrer killing choice to sign with Ryan and the Jets.
Tebow was a great college QB, but that was college. Vince Young was a great college QB, but that was college. Matt Leinart was a great college QB, and seemingly a sure thing as a Pro, so was Brady Quinn. While I hope that DeShaun Watson's great college career translates to the NFL, there is certainly a high chance that he won't fare any better than those guys before him. It's a different game in the Pro's and you have tighter windows to throw into, and you have to read the defense faster. Tebow, in spite of Dave's contention, was not an NFL QB. It wasn't a conspiracy. But Tebow is a success in life, he's well regarded, he's got a lot of opportunities and will be just fine. He's never making it to the Bigs, he's got the gig with the SEC Network whether that's his ultimate future I don't know of course. But he's not going to end up penniless and broke. He'll do something significant.
I wouldn't begin ever again to delve deeply into what Tim did with Denver in his last season but it was the most fun I have had watching any NFL team.... maybe ever. He carried that team to the playoffs from the dungeon and then beat the Steelers with that thrilling pass for a TD in OT. That season was effectively his last true NFL game experience as what happened after that with the Jets was just plain weird.
Rick Mirer (former ND QB) was rookie of the year for Seattle, that was it for him. Vince Young was rookie of the year, played on but just wasn't a NFL QB. Many Texas Alums feel like you do about Tebow, that he would have made it if he played in a better system and all that. But bottom line he wasn't a NFL QB. While I know you feel like there was some conspiracy amongst NFL GM's to black ball him from the league. But if he were truly a kid who GM's and Coaches thought just needed the right system or some time he'd have been on a NFL roster.