Tim Tebow hit a home run Sunday for the Columbia Fireflies, his third so far this season and first since April 9.
Tebow currently has a .230 batting average for the team, but the New York Mets organization may be planning to move him up from the single A Fireflies to a higher level within the minor leagues, according to North East Sports News (NESN). He hit a home run during his first at-bat with the Fireflies and another one April 9, but hasn’t managed any since then.
The solo shot came in the fifth inning, but the Fireflies still lost 6-3 to the West Virginia Power. Fans were excited about Tebow’s home run but, then again, they have been showing enthusiasm for just about anything he has done on the field, NESN reported.
Tebow has one of the biggest fan bases of any minor league player, which was built during his college and NFL football days. Tebow played for the University of Florida Gators, winning the Heisman trophy in 2007. He was a first-round draft pick for the Denver Broncos in 2010 and also played for the New York Jets in 2012, ESPN reported.
Despite his mixed success on the football field, Tebow built a sizable fan base as he displayed his Christian faith openly on and off the field, according to ESPN, and his fans have stuck with him as he has transitioned to minor league baseball.
Tebow recently signed a multiyear contract to continue as a college football analyst with ESPN, according to The Associated Press.