Monday night, the most famous .250 hitter in minor league baseball rolled into Connecticut. The Mets double A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies opened a series in Hartford, beginning with Tim Tebow's late afternoon press conference. Unfailingly humble, upbeat and self-effacing the onetime Heisman Trophy winner spoke warmly of his minor league experience in the Mets organization, though his production has yet to match his popularity.
When it came to the action on the field, he still appeared far from major-league caliber, despite pre-season praise from Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
Tebow is still a strikeout machine, fanning 40% of the time. He's good for business -- helping boost attendance wherever Binghamton plays. Dunkin Donuts Park was a near-sellout last night.
But in the stats and standings, the Mets really get more upside from slugging 1st baseman Peter Alonso. The Miami native (below) hits the ball hard every time. You hear the same solid contact I noticed a year ago from now-Yankee rookie Miguel Andujar.
Granted, baseball is show biz and part of the celebrity world. Peter Alonso and Harford's impressive pitching prospect Peter Lambert don't grab the fancy of the fans the way Tim Tebow can and does. But if beefing up an organization's talent pool and eventually winning on the major league level is the goal, Tebow is more a sideshow than a building block.
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