Tebow Workout To Draw 20 MLB Teams
LOS ANGELES (The Sports Xchange) - Two-thirds of Major League Baseball's 30 teams will be represented at the workout of Tim Tebow on Aug. 30.
ESPN reported 20 teams are confirmed to attend when Tebow shows his baseball ability, a shift from the football career that gained the former Florida Gators Heisman Trophy winner notoriety. Tebow, a broadcaster for ESPN who played in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets and was in training camp with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, focused his attention on baseball following a private workout for the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2016 season began.
"This may sound like a publicity stunt, but nothing could be further from the truth," Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of Creative Artists Agency, said of Tebow's transition. "I have seen Tim's workouts and people inside and outside the industry -- scouts, executives, players and fans -- will be impressed by his talent. As an agent, I have a genuine respect for how hard it is to succeed at the game of baseball and a true admiration for those who possess the talent to play it at the major-league level. Tim's tool set is real."
Tebow, 29, could get a minor-league offer according to former Broncos teammate Eric Decker, now a receiver with the Jets.
But not all athletes are expecting success. Terry Francona, manager of the Cleveland Indians, was the manager of the Birmingham Barons when Michael Jordan left the Chicago Bulls to attempt to play pro baseball.
Per Francona, this is "a little harder jump than I think people realize."
Baltimore Orioles All-Star Adam Jones chided Tebow via Twitter on Aug. 9 with a humorous spin: "After this @MLB season I'm going try out for the @NFL this offseason. I haven't played since HS but I've played in a few TurkeyBowls since!!"
