SPORTS
National Football League Broncos, Jets, Patriots and Eagles
before leaving football, authoring a book and working as a
sports announcer.
The Mets signed 29-year-old Tebow last month to a minor
league contract with a reported $100,000 bonus. On his first
day at Tradition Field, the team was selling jerseys with his
name and the No. 15 on the back. Tebow said at his news
conference that he is happy to have the same number he had
as a Florida Gator and it was the first time he had seen a fan
wearing the shirt.
“This is exciting for us and the people of Port St. Lucie,”
said Paul Taglieri, executive director of minor league facilities
for the Mets. “He should have an impact on ticket sales and
businesses in the county. People enjoyed watching him work
out, up close and personal.”
South of Tradition Field is St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church,
home to 2,800 families. “My parishioners love him as a man
of faith who is not afraid to show it,” Rev. Victor Ulto said.
“Undoubtedly, part of our parish are less interested in baseball
and more interested in Mr. T (Tebow). I’m anticipating
more excitement than usual at Tradition Field and we give an
open invitation for Tim Tebow to attend St. Bernadette’s.”
Born in the Philippines to two missionaries, Tebow travels
there to work at his foundation’s orphanage and hospital.
He still calls Jacksonville home where he grew up playing
baseball on Normandy Field for the Little League White Sox.
Debra Harsh can’t remember the last time she was at Tradition
Field, but she came to see Tebow, “I thought he got a raw
deal and now he has re-invented himself, first as an announcer
and now as a baseball player,” said Harsh, a Jensen Beach
salon owner. “I wanted to be around that energy. Tim Tebow >>
Ever so gracious, Tebow
signs a copy of his book
before almost 600 fans on
his first day of practice at
Tradition Field. The flurry
of excitement had the
crowd crushing against
the fence for a few minutes
before Tebow left for
a news conference.
Port St. Lucie Magazine 9