Quarterback left fielder Tim Tebow hit a home run on the first pitch he saw in regular season action for the New York Mets’ Double-A affiliate on Thursday.
Tebow’s moonshot raises several questions. Tebow fanboys/Digital journalists/wannabe baseball insiders Mark Bergin, Eric Heubusch, Lara Saavedra and Justin Nunez try to answer some of them.
LIFT OFF!@TimTebow crushes his first home run of the season for the @RumblePoniesBB. pic.twitter.com/7DTd1CjlIk
What was your initial reaction when you saw the video of Tebow hitting a home run on the first pitch of the regular season?
Mark Bergin: Chicago Cubs’ center fielder Ian Happ’s home run on the first pitch of the MLB season was incredible. It marked the first time a MLB player hit a home run on the first pitch of the season since 1986 when Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans homered off Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris.
However, Tebow’s home run is even more incredible, considering he went 1-for-18 in seven spring training games with the New York Mets.
Eric Heubusch: Unsurprised. He is the greatest left-handed, former Heisman-winning power hitter the Binghamton Rumble Ponies have ever seen.
Lara Saavedra: He’s a man among boys -- Tebow is the only player currently on the Rumble Ponies roster who was born in the 1980s.
Justin Nunez: Timmy Tebow!!! When I saw it, I immediately tweeted out that he should just get the call-up to the big leagues, even though the Mets are 5-1.
Tebow grounded out every at-bat after that and finished 1-for-4.
He hit .056 this spring training in 19 plate appearances, 11 of which were strikeouts. Even still, I don’t care!
The guy could drop a bunt every at-bat and fans would go crazy. Give him the nod no matter how bad he really is because people will watch whether they love or hate him.
What’s your tweet-length prediction of Tim Tebow’s season?
Bergin: Tebow ends the season in the minors again, but he returns to the SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” in full glory for college football season.
Heubusch: In an all-out effort to thwart the success of any New York sports team, the New England Patriots will sign him and Tebow will throw a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in a meaningless game.
Saavedra: I wouldn’t be surprised if Tebow does get called up to the Mets later in the season. He certainly has the talent to at least be given a shot.
Nunez: He’s going to bat .300 and hit more than 20 home runs. He’ll have several game-winning hits and catches. What I’m saying is, he’s going to set the world on fire and no one can stop him.
Tim Tebow through the years
Photos: Tim Tebow through the years
Was this the best Tebow moment ever?
Bergin: No. It's easily when he got beaned in the helmet by a pitch near the end of last season, and he walked to first base. He seemed completely unphased. It reminded me of the comics when bullets would deflect off Superman’s chest like it’s no big deal.
In all seriousness, I don’t know if it’s the best, but my favorite Tebow moment is when I got to meet Adam Hubbs. I met Hubbs a few years after he connected with the Heisman trophy winner through ESPN’s “My Wish” series.
In July 2012, Hubbs was a 16-year-old boy suffering from MonoMac, a rare disease that can turn into leukemia. Hubbs is now healthy after a bone marrow transplant. Not only did Hubbs get to meet Tebow, but he even helped raise $27,000 for Tebow’s foundation.
Heubusch: I think my colleagues are forgetting that Tim Tebow began his journey to Minor League Baseball by becoming one of the greatest college football players of all time. Two national titles, a Heisman; don’t you remember the speech?
Saavedra: First pitch, first at-bat home run is impressive --- I say yes.
Nunez: No, it’s easily his 80-yard, overtime touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas in his lone playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2011.
He torched the Terrible Towels and I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited in my life. The magic was real. Count me among those who believe that Tebow still belongs in the NFL as a quarterback.
Who makes the majors first? Tebow or Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson?
Bergin: I doubt Wilson will appear in a baseball uniform ever again unless he gets lowball offers from NFL teams once he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
Heubusch: It depends on how much of a dumpster fire Seattle becomes this year after losing Jimmy Graham and its entire defense.
Saavedra: Tebow for sure. Wilson just wanted to fulfil his childhood dream. Tebow legitimately wants to make it in the majors and I think he’ll get there.
Nunez: Why are we asking this question? Russell is a top 10 NFL quarterback who plays spring training baseball for funsies. His shot is zero.
Tebow’s chances are legitimate and he’ll make it to the pros sooner rather than later. The man is all talent, all class and he’s a money machine. It’s happening and I’ll be the first to get a jersey.
Mark Bergin is a journalist with 10News WTSP. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email him at mbergin@wtsp.com.
Eric Heubusch is a researcher with 10News WTSP. Follow him on Twitter or email him at eheubusch@wtsp.com
