He picked up the baseballs after batting practice, and even hauled a bag of balls to the dugout, not unlike the 57 other minor league hopefuls who joined him in this instructional league camp. He smiled when someone asked whether he actually knew Peyton Manning. Tebow turned and smiled when fans asked for a picture during a water break. It was a genuine lovefest all morning at the Mets’ spring-training complex, with temperatures in the 90’s with stifling humidity and $3 bottled waters the only thing selling more than Tebow jerseys. Tebow, stopped, smiled, and dropped the two bats he was carrying while trying to fist-pump the fans lined up to touch him as he walked between fields. It didn’t stop her from yelling to Tebow as he strolled by: “Go for it, Tebow! I hope you make it!’’ Psst, don’t tell anyone, but she’s actually from Eden Prairie, Minn., and a diehard Minnesota Twins fan. Only she was wearing a $28 youth version, (“That’s all I could afford," she says) instead of the $119.99 authentic jerseys that became the best-seller on the Mets’ website in a matter of minutes. 15 and orange-and-blue color scheme as his football days. Mary West, 65, was one of the first to buy a Mets Tebow jersey from the gift shop, yes, with the same No. “Usually, we have maybe a Mom or Dad here,’’ Taglieri said. The Mets’ minor-league complex was swarming with 70 media members, a hovering news helicopter, and 577 fans, many wearing the new Mets Tebow jerseys, vintage Tebow Florida Gator jerseys, or even jerseys from his days with the Denver Broncos. “I can’t think of a sports figure in today’s game that would have more of an impact,’’ said Paul Taglieri, Mets’ director of minor league facilities, “Maybe a rock star. It was like that everywhere you looked among the legion of Tebow fans, some disguised as Mets fans, with a first-hand look at one of the most popular athletes in all of Florida who once led the Gators to two national championships while also winning the Heisman Trophy. “So it was take-your-daughter-to-work day. Shouldn’t she be in school with the rest of her seventh-grade class? “It’s a historical field trip,’’ she said, as adults cheered her answer.Īndy Favata, a University of Florida alumnus with a Gator tattoo on his left ankle, and wearing a Tebow jersey from his days at UF, brought along his 13-year-old daughter, Bella. There was 10-year-old Jacquee Methot standing by the fence behind home plate, holding a portrait of Tebow, painted by her older sister, calling out his name. Tim Tebow, the legendary Florida quarterback and newest member of the New York Mets organization, captivated this sleepy town Monday morning, with kids skipping school and adults calling in sick from work. The lively crowd, nearing almost 600, even cheered him during calisthenics. They gave him a standing ovation after each round of batting practice. They shrieked the moment they spotted him on the baseball field. Watch Video: Tim Tebow works out with the Mets in Port St.
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