Tim Tebow arrives at Mets camp for first day of instructional league
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow started the first day of his professional baseball career when he arrived at the New York Mets complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Tebow will work out Monday morning with his other instructional league teammates.
The Mets are sending two-dozen coaches to the camp, which will comprise 29 pitchers, eight catchers, 12 infielders and nine outfielders, according to ESPN.
"I've never seen more than seven people at our instructional league before," Ian Levin, the Mets' director of minor-league operations said. "I'm making that up, obviously, but it's typically just family and friends. This will definitely be a different instructional league.''
He will wear the No. 15 jersey, the same number he wore as a quarterback at Florida and during his time with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.
Tebow is the oldest instructional leaguer at 29. There are two players on the roster that aren't even of voting age.
The Mets signed Tebow after he worked out for 28 of the 30 MLB teams during a showcase on Aug. 30. He last played organized baseball in his junior year in high school.
Tebow has workouts scheduled through Thursday and will be excused Friday and Saturday so he can re-join his other job as an analyst for the SEC Network.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has said that Tebow's signing is not a publicity stunt and that the former Heisman Trophy winner was signed based on his baseball talent.
"I know this is a tough game," Tebow said after signing. "But I'm looking forward to putting in the work and I felt like this was the best fit."
- Scooby Axson
