Ex-NFL star Tebow’s Double-A debut a smash hit
>> BINGHAMTON: Tim Tebow sure knows how to rise to the occasion.
Playing his first game in Double-A ball, New York Mets’ unique minor leaguer hit a three-run homer on the first pitch he saw. The ex-football star drew a huge ovation after connecting on a frigid Thursday night for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, who beat Portland 6-0 in their Eastern League opener.
“It’s pretty special and it feels really good,’’ a smiling Tebow said afterwards. “It’s a great day and it was a fun day, but it’s just one day. We’ve got to be focused on the next day.’’
Tebow has made that impression before. He also homered last April in his first at-bat with the Class A Columbia Fireflies of the South Atlantic League.
This time, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Florida and NFL quarterback sent a liner far over the fence down the right-field line as the announced crowd of 5,247 at NYSEG Stadium stood and cheered the 30-year-old outfielder.
The lefty-swinging Tebow capped a five-run first inning against righty Teddy Stankiewicz, a second-round draft pick by Boston in 2013. The Sea Dogs are a Red Sox affiliate.
Tebow finished 1 for 4. He grounded into a force play in the third i nning, grounded out to shortstop in the fifth, and struck out swinging in the seventh.
“I’m trying to improve every single day, so to get off to a good start definitely gives you confidence,’’ Tebow said.
“But baseball’s a game where it’s never too high, it’s never too low. It’s just one at-bat, just one pitch. You’ve got to stay focused.
“Tomorrow will be another day where I have to improve. I’ve got to get back in the cage and work ... on all the things that I’ve been working on to try to improve.’’
The frigid temperatures sent many fans home after Tebow’s third at-bat, apparently satisfied they got what they came to see.
Tebow’s performance came far from the warmth of Florida where he became a household name on the gridiron. His Double-A debut came as snowflakes wafted through the evening air and temperatures hovered in the 30s.