With his football career sidelined, Tim Tebow will try his luck on the diamond.
Agents for the ex-NFL quarterback told ESPN that Tebow has been training in Arizona and Los Angeles to "hone" his hitting and outfield work in a sport he hasn't played full time since 2005. Tebow will hold a workout at the end of the month, open to all 30 MLB teams.
"Obviously, we support Tim in his pursuit of a baseball career, as we have in all his ventures," Tebow's football agent, Jimmy Sexton, told ESPN.
"Tim's athletic ability, his work ethic, his leadership and his competitiveness were evident in football and will show in baseball. Knowing Tim's passion and desire, we won't be surprised by anything he accomplishes."
Tebow turns 29 on Sunday.
It seems pretty ridiculous that Tebow believes he could pick baseball up after more than a decade and make an MLB or minor league team -- regardless of his well-regarded prowess on the baseball field in high school. If Michael Jordan couldn't hit a professional curveball, what makes Tebow think he can?
At the same time, who are we to tell anyone they shouldn't pursue a goal, even if that goal seems ludicrous on the face of it?
Tebow has his believers, though.
"This may sound like a publicity stunt, but nothing could be further from the truth," wrote Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of Creative Artists Agency's baseball division, in a statement to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "I have seen Tim's workouts, and people inside and outside the industry -- scouts, executives, players and fans -- will be impressed by his talent.
"Tim's tool set is real," Wagenen continued. "His physicality is unique in professional baseball. His work ethic is unprecedented, and his passion for the game is infectious. He knows the challenges that lie ahead of him given his age and experience, but he is determined to achieve his goal of playing in the Major Leagues."
Given that minor league baseball clubs are the best in the country at concocting game-day incentives to get patrons to the park -- can you beat $1 beer night? -- Tebow's fame could entice some clubs to give the ex-Broncos QB a shot (this could also be viewed as a slap in the face to all those minor league players who toil years for little pay).
It's interesting that while Tebow has spurned all opportunities to switch NFL positions from quarterback to linebacker, tight end or fullback, he's willing to completely change sports.
