Mets minor-leaguer Tim Tebow retires from professional baseball after five years

The Mets reported on Wednesday that Tim Tebow, the previous Heisman Trophy champ and NFL quarterback, has chosen to retire from proficient baseball. Tebow, 33, endorsed with the Mets in September of 2016 regardless of not having played coordinated baseball since secondary school. Across parts of three small time seasons, Tebow batted .223/.299/.338 with 18 homers, 48 duplicates, and five taken bases in 287 games.

“It has been a pleasure to have Tim in our organization as he’s been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement released by the team. “By reaching the Triple-A level in 2019, he far exceeded expectations when he first entered the system in 2016 and he should be very proud of his accomplishments.”

Tebow started his professional baseball journey in the Arizona Fall League and, as noted, advanced toward the most noteworthy small time rung in 2019. Tebow didn’t play in 2020, as the small time season was dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring, Tebow had again been welcome to major-alliance camp with the Mets.

“I want to thank the Mets, Mr. Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization,” Tebow said in that same statement. “I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions. I never want to be partially in on anything. I always want to be 100 percent in on whatever I choose. Thank you again for everyone’s support of this awesome journey in baseball, I’ll always cherish my time as a Met. #LGM”

Before signing with the Mets, Tebow acquired popularity as a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the University of Florida. In the NFL, he made 16 beginnings in three seasons and aided the 2011 Denver Broncos to the end of the season games. Since 2014, Tebow has functioned as a school football expert for the SEC Network and sometimes ESPN.