Posted on 08/10/2016 11:38:21 AM PDT by TBP
The grander point was missed then. The most popular athlete in the world wanted to play baseball. If he defied all odds and succeeded, great, then the most popular athlete in the world was playing baseball. And if he failed, he a) brought attention to the game; b) used his very loud megaphone to profess his love for the sport to his millions of fans around the world; and c) accentuated just how tough it is to play major league baseball, because the greatest athlete in the world would have failed at it.
But even if it was a publicity stunt, so what? It was a valuable one.
If he moves a bunch of kids to want to play or attend a game who otherwise wouldn’t, great. If he makes it, great, another terrific/popular athlete in the sport. If he fails, great, a reminder of just how skilled you have to be to make the majors.
I felt this way about Jordan. I felt this way in the spring of 2014, when I spoke to Tracy McGrady about his post-basketball attempts to make the majors. I felt this way when Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson have indulged their baseball passions. Heck, I felt this way in spring 2015 when Will Ferrell was allowed to play 10 positions for 10 teams in one day of Arizona spring training.
This is a moment when lots of parents are questioning whether they want to let their children participate in football because of potential damage to the body and to the brain. Here is a popular ex-quarterback shifting to baseball. It is a moment for the institution of the game to embrace.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Tebow is a Florida guy. The Rays draw few fans and a small broadcast audience, even when they’re good. And they’re not good now — they’re in last place.
If they sign him and he makes it, they got a useful player for virtually nothing. if not, they got a publicity boost from giving him his chance. Either way, that gets them more good PR. (and if it doesn’t get them any PR or help the crowds and ratings at all, then they have the perfect excuse to move.)
No, I don’t like the Cowboys, so I wouldn’t want him there.
I bet he’d be a good defensive outfielder, if nothing else. good routes, good arm.
Mariano Rivera made the splitter the pitch that it is.
Yes. He was a very good high school baseball player. The Angels almost drafted him, but apparently he forgot to fill out the forms.
But that was a decade or so ago.
Dave DeBusschere said he quit baseball because the White Sox chose to trade Norm Cash and keep him, and he didn’t want to play for anyone that stupid.
From the lower minors to AA is another significant jump. If you can get through AA, you’ve got a decent shot.
What the heck?
No, lack of talent. Deeply held Christian faith and a willingness to display that faith publicly did not hurt Kurt Warner in the slightest. Because he was a talented football player.
OK. I can agree.
Yes, but Jack Morris (my favorite-ever Tigers-tosser) made the splitter formidable and changed the “fast-ball” into a set-up pitch for both his splitter and the circle-change.
Morris, for all his bluster and “pagentry” while with the Tigers, could throw both those pitches with accuracy. If Jack hit someone...well...he meant to hit them. That’s why I like Morris.
If he can hit a Major league fastball (95mph) he has a shot.
As a Christian mom of a 29 year old godly daughter, I would move heaven and earth for a chance that my girl could meet Tim Tebow....hei is her role model and someone she admires for his faith and the way believes it out....
I don’t blame you.
Bump and best of luck to Tim.
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