The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Tebow’s journey takes him through Akron
Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow visited Akron with Double-A Binghamton on April 30. Chris Lillstrung reports from the Rubberducks’ Canal Park.
AKRON » It was two hours before first pitch April 30 at Canal Park in Akron, and Tebowmania was running wild.
Welcome to Tim Tebow’s normal, a cacophony of celebrity in 2018.
One of the most recognizable athletes in the United States brought his pursuit of a big-league dream at 30 years old with the Mets’ Double-A affiliate Binghamton to Northeast Ohio as the Rumble Ponies started a series with the RubberDucks.
“My focus is on the diamond right over here,” Tebow said.
But much as the man in the center ring would likely prefer to be just another ballplayer aspiring for the bigs, he knows trying to handle the circus that comes with being Tim Tebow is coming right along with him.
“I try to just be gracious with it, and you’re always grateful for the support when fans turn out,” Tebow said. “It’s a blessing, but at the same time, they can be quick to boo you, too. I’ve had both sides of it often.
“But there’s been a lot of great support, and especially when we have road trips in places like this. Any time you get support, it feels good.”
If you want a glimpse into “Tebow normal,” his 15-minute media availability and the pregame scene provided all the evidence possibly needed.
The larger-than-usual assembled media throng. The young fans peering around the corner of the visitors’ dugout to get a glimpse. The rotating graphic on the Canal Park scoreboard that read “IT’S TEBOW TIME!”
The young players who arrived early chasing a Tebow home run during batting practice into the right-field porch.
The long lenses capturing frame-by-frame the — sarcasm intended — viral moment of him walking to the outfield in his familiar No. 15. The loud ovation when Tebow was announced as hitting eighth and playing in left field.
It carries the curiosity of a circus and a responsibility to watch it play out similar to jury duty.
But here’s the thing: If we are all the jury — and this is a trial of sorts — both sides need to be presented in fairness.
Tebow is a really nice, engaging man in person.
He greeted everyone in that media scrum with a handshake and a smile. He answered every question with class — even when most questions had nothing to do with baseball:
• Steve Spurrier trying to lure him out of football retirement.
• His friendship with his former Florida coach Urban Meyer: “He stays pretty busy, but I’ll touch base with him soon here. He’s like a father figure to me.”
• Putting on his college football analyst hat to assess Baker Mayfield over ...: “I think he’s a very special player. I’ve been saying that for a long time. Even through some of his controversial things, he’s got an it factor a lot of players don’t have. He has a chance to be special.”
... and over: “I think he’s someone that has adapted his entire life, and he has overcome so much. I think he’ll do that at the next level, too.”
... and over again: “So many people want to look at size and arm strength — just things you can measure. I think the quarterback position is about what you can’t measure. Yeah, you’ve got to be able to be accurate. Yeah, you’ve got to have an arm and make plays. But we’ve seen a whole lot of guys 6-4, 6-5 with big arms that didn’t win too many games. So I’m someone who views it a little bit differently.” It has to be surreal. A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion at Florida — in the running for most accomplished college players of all time. One of the most polarizing quarterbacks in NFL history.
One of the athletes with whom the mere mention of his name drives the carnival barkers and sideshow peddlers on national sports debate television to the pay window.
The man who ESPN made an entire day of programming out of wishing a happy birthday one year in one of the most asinine TV moves of recent memory — and he is an analyst for said network today.
And now, he’s a 30-yearold with a dream of getting to the big leagues.
He is the most famous .224 hitter in Double-A baseball, taking his big name and big hopes across the region running down a dream. He struck out in 50 percent of his at-bats (29 of 58) coming into Akron.
Yet, all of the scrutiny that comes with being Tebow, he still approaches it all with some semblance of dignity. That should count for something.
“It’s been a great experience for me,” Tebow said. “I’m enjoying it. I’m playing against great competition. It’s been a really fun journey.
“My body feels really good athletically. I still think that I am improving and growing, and I don’t even think that, as a baseball player, where I am now is where I can get to. There is still a long way to go.”
Tebow started in left field at Canal Park for the Rumble Ponies, the shadow from the setting sun likely marking a rare time in which he wasn’t in the spotlight.
He lined out to third in his first at-bat and watched his teammates’ at-bats intently from the first step of the dugout.
Northeast Ohio can say it’s seen Tebowmania up close — for better or worse for his sake and ours.