For all those hooked on the Arizona Fall League baseball during the ALCS and NLCS, you can rejoice in knowing that New York Mets prospect Tim Tebow's drought is over.
On Tuesday, Tebow recorded a single against Chicago Cubs prospect Duane Underwood to break an 0-for-13 hitless streak to start off his professional baseball career.
The Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida and former Denver Broncos and New York Jets quarterback signed a minor league deal with the Mets on Sept. 9.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson explained what he saw in Tebow after his showcase in August, via Adam Rubin of ESPN.com:
Any player evaluation starts with tools. From that standpoint, without grading everything out, suffice it to say Tim has been a great athlete. He has demonstrated more than rudimentary baseball skills. We think, with his commitment to success, that this is an opportunity that is worthwhile.
In terms of power, in terms of arm, in terms of foot speed, all of those things, we think he can be a baseball player. I think that is underscored by his competitiveness and his determination to succeed and to improve. From our standpoint, this is another opportunity for us to develop a player and see where it goes. We understand most players don't make it to the major leagues.
Having not played organized baseball since his junior year of high school, Tebow originally reported to the Mets' instructional league where he started things off with a bang in his first at-bat.
While he hasn't found that kind of success at the plate in the Arizona Fall League, Tebow has been making plenty of headlines.
In his AFL debut alone, he face-planted into the outfield wall and helped a seizure victim after the game, via ABC News:
Tebow isn't expected to see time in the major leagues. At 29 years old, it's unlikely he'll develop his game up toward a level that can see him attain success professionally.
But for now, he is putting fans in the seats, bringing attention to the Arizona Fall League and pursuing his dream of playing professional baseball.
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