Tim Tebow Latest News: Athlete Ends Hitless Streak
Tim Tebow finally puts an end to his hitless streak.
During his third Grapefruit League start with the New York Mets on Monday, March 13, Tebow hit an opposite-field single from Miami Marlins pitcher Kyle Lobstein. The crowd at First Data Field reacted with a partial standing ovation, while people at the dugout celebrated.
"It was fun," Mets manager Terry Collins said, according to the NY Daily News. "He's gotten better. He's gotten better."
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Citing their intention of treating Tebow just like any other player, the Mets refused to make the former Heisman Trophy winner available to speak with the reporters after the game.
"I get all the hoopla of who he is and what he's done. He's handled himself tremendously in the clubhouse. The guys have taken to him. He wants to be part of the guys. I am sure that is why he didn't want to talk today, because I asked him to be part of the guys," Collins said. "He gets it. He's an athlete, a professional athlete."
Tebow participated in two exhibition games last week for the Mets and was expected to appear in minor league games for the duration of spring. However, the Mets needed additional manpower because of the defections brought about by the World Baseball Classic, and the 29-year-old Tebow was summoned back to play in the Grapefruit League.
When he faced Lobstein in the fifth inning, Tebow worked the count full before he hit a grounder through the third-base hole for a single. He finished the match with one hit in three at-bats and is given the record 1-for-10 (.100) in the Grapefruit League.
Tebow also made a diving catch off Justin Bour's line during the first inning, and starter Noah Syndergaard hugged him for the feat.
"It was awesome," Syndergaard said. "The guy is a tremendous athlete, so it doesn't surprise me."
The Mets plan to bring Tebow along for their match against the Houston Astros in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, March 14.
