I'm certainly no Tebow maniac, but I have nothing against him either.
Just interesting that everyone was so quick to bash him and the Mets for his "undeserving" promotion to Advanced Class A St. Lucie in June, yet 20 games later he's batting .308 with 3 HRs, 3 2Bs and a 3B.
It's still just St. Lucie - but if this happens in Bing I'm going to start to be legitimately amazed.
Tebow was awful at football and he's 7 years older than league average in his second sport and doing well in it, so while admirable it is hardly something I'd consider historic.
And Jordan never played below AA and was 31 when he switched.
I like Tebow, but I would withhold my hype until he succeeds at a higher level than single A ball.
True, but being a great college player at one sport and a minor leaguer in another sport I'd hardly consider historic.
Tebow was awful at football and he's 7 years older than league average in his second sport and doing well in it, so while admirable it is hardly something I'd consider historic.
And Jordan never played below AA and was 31 when he switched.
I like Tebow, but I would withhold my hype until he succeeds at a higher level than single A ball.
I wasn't comparing him to Jackson or Sanders. I was pointing out that it certainly has been done better prior to what Tebow is doing.
On the other hand, Jordan was one of the greatest professional athletes of the 20th century. Not quite as good as Jordan is still pretty damn good.
Or for Tebow, I guess pretty darn good.
You do have to give the man props.
The only person I can think of that came close to doing it was Jordan.
True but I think it is fair to say to this point Tebiw has been more sucsesfull in his attempt to trabsition to bb thab Jordan.
Tebow is 29 so close to where Jordan was and just because Tebow was willing to start at the bottom, something I'm guessing Jordan wasn't willing to do, shouldn't count against him. It actually is what likley helped him to this point.
ZGiants98 : 2:37 pm : link : reply
If he keeps this up, it's one of the greatest stories in the history of sports
Bo Jackson was a pro-bowler and an MLB all-star, Deion in in the NFL Hall-of-Fame and 10 year MLB career.
I like Tebow I want him to give the finger to everyone who doubted him, but I'm unclear on what's so historic?
his age? his Heismann? I just think it was a hyperbolic comment.
I saw your post after I replied, I still think it's hyperbole, but a great story (if he can finish it) regardless of my opinion on your hyperbole.
Quote:
And I think I clarified my position.
I saw your post after I replied, I still think it's hyperbole, but a great story (if he can finish it) regardless of my opinion on your hyperbole.
How is it hyperbole if not a single other person has ever made a switch that late in their career and excelled? Again, Jordan tried. He is arguably the greatest athlete of all time. And he failed.
Quote:
In comment 13531271 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
And I think I clarified my position.
I saw your post after I replied, I still think it's hyperbole, but a great story (if he can finish it) regardless of my opinion on your hyperbole.
How is it hyperbole if not a single other person has ever made a switch that late in their career and excelled? Again, Jordan tried. He is arguably the greatest athlete of all time. And he failed.
And I think he is also the only one who ever did so with hazel colored eyes. :)
Quote:
In comment 13531271 ZGiants98 said:
Quote:
And I think I clarified my position.
I saw your post after I replied, I still think it's hyperbole, but a great story (if he can finish it) regardless of my opinion on your hyperbole.
How is it hyperbole if not a single other person has ever made a switch that late in their career and excelled? Again, Jordan tried. He is arguably the greatest athlete of all time. And he failed.
It's not relevantly historic because he did not excel at another professional sport and i don't even think it's technically historic because the Dennis Quaid movie had a guy who probably had a longer layoff.
google Jim Morris the guy the movie "the rookie" was about.
"Hitting a baseball" is the most difficult thing to do in any sport IMO. This is what we are talking about here.
The Mets got heat for this publicity stunt. Yeah, it sold some tickets and merchandise. But Tebow's proving he was worth the effort. Giving him a shot wasn't crazy, whether he makes it all the way or not. Most drafted guys don't make it. And most drafted guys never see their average over .300 even for a day.
It's a great story, but gotta agree with B here. It is not remotely close to the greatest story in the history of sports. I'm sure even Jordan had a hot streak and, as DMM mentions, he did it at a higher level.
If he ends the season with similar numbers, than there is something to talk about.
What parameters? I started off saying what he is doing (if he keeps it up) has never been done and that it would be one of the greatest sports stories ever.
I can't think of a single person who has ever done it after such a layoff (Jordan tried). Last I checked Tebow is a hitter, not a pitcher so common sense should dictate that's what we are referring to here. Seems like it would rank near the top of sports stories if he keeps hitting like he has. Again, don't really understand why people can't grasp the magnitude of how difficult it is to do what he's doing.
Quote:
Pump the brakes a bit.
It's a great story, but gotta agree with B here. It is not remotely close to the greatest story in the history of sports. I'm sure even Jordan had a hot streak and, as DMM mentions, he did it at a higher level.
If he ends the season with similar numbers, than there is something to talk about.
Which is exactly what I said. "If he keeps it up"
The Mets got heat for this publicity stunt. Yeah, it sold some tickets and merchandise. But Tebow's proving he was worth the effort. Giving him a shot wasn't crazy, whether he makes it all the way or not. Most drafted guys don't make it. And most drafted guys never see their average over .300 even for a day.
I agree it is a great story and with all the crap Tebow has taken I am happy for him. By all accounts he is a real decent guy.
He has a passion for sports and risked more mockery going for a dream, I'm more impressed that he was willing to start at the bottom to follow that dream when he easily could have landed some type of big money deal somewhere for something other than playing a sport.
I hope he keeps on surprising people.
Pfft, Mets.
Keith : 3:35 pm : link : reply
on the season. That's a better story than Tebow.
Pfft, Mets.
Well yeah if I was a Yankees fan I'd have Judge, Sanchez and playoffs to think about. But as a Mets fan it's who should we trade away at the deadline, when do we bring up the kids, who's arm hurts ... and Tebow.
I wish Tebow all the best when the Mets call him up in September. He's certainly an inspiration to many and his talent cannot be questioned. If he gets bored with baseball, I suggest the Knicks take a look at him as a hustle guy.
Unlike Tebow who was an ordinary NFL pro at best and now a Class A baseballer? Doesn't do much for me.
As an aside, I thought Deion sold his baseball career short because it was almost the hobby sport to him, especially early on. But, part of that was the Yankees fault for rushing him up. Once he was given time to develop, he was a decent baseball player, but not much more.
Bo Jackson also sold himself short. He was more of a raw talent. If he dedicated himself to baseball, he would have had a HoF (or near) career. I'm not sure Deion can say the same.
Tebow was awful at football and he's 7 years older than league average in his second sport and doing well in it, so while admirable it is hardly something I'd consider historic.
And Jordan never played below AA and was 31 when he switched.
I like Tebow, but I would withhold my hype until he succeeds at a higher level than single A ball.
I'll take a guy like Hakeem Olajuwon who didn't start playing basketball until the age of 15, revolutionized the Center position and became a champion and Hall of Famer. Those types of stories are much more impressive than a fringe NFL-er playing some shortened season baseball against some kids.
Unlike Tebow who was an ordinary NFL pro at best and now a Class A baseballer? Doesn't do much for me.
Don't forget Dave DeBusshere
But you're not excited at all? In fact, you now state that you don't care if he helps the Mets at all?
I know I'm not very smart - but this makes no sense. Sorry.
Certainly not one of the greatest stories in sports. But I'm amazed at the dislike that gets thrown Tebow's way. Who did he ever hurt?
Call him up in mid-September and get some people in the park. I would take my kids to a game to watch Tebow play.
If everyone knows its a novelty act (as Sandy Alderson himself admitted) why not have some fun with it? Sandy need to channel Bill Veeck and and put some smiles on the fans' faces.
Call him up in mid-September and get some people in the park. I would take my kids to a game to watch Tebow play.
If everyone knows its a novelty act (as Sandy Alderson himself admitted) why not have some fun with it? Sandy need to channel Bill Veeck and and put some smiles on the fans' faces.
Perversely, half the people that would go would be hoping he made a fool of himself. Hope it doesn't happen.
I'll take a guy like Hakeem Olajuwon who didn't start playing basketball until the age of 15, revolutionized the Center position and became a champion and Hall of Famer. Those types of stories are much more impressive than a fringe NFL-er playing some shortened season baseball against some kids.
Or a grocery bagger in Iowa winning Super Bowl MVP a year later.
The only time he annoyed me was a video showing him speaking to prison inmates about life. He has absolutely no connection to these guys, nothing in common, and he was trying to teach them about life.
In fact, some of the inmates were interviewed afterwards and were pretty pissed off that this kid walked in the prison yard and pontificated about life, struggle and god. Like, who the hell is this kid to talk to us about this stuff?
Quote:
not getting too excited about a 30 year old playing against some college draft picks and others in the Florida League or whatever.
I'll take a guy like Hakeem Olajuwon who didn't start playing basketball until the age of 15, revolutionized the Center position and became a champion and Hall of Famer. Those types of stories are much more impressive than a fringe NFL-er playing some shortened season baseball against some kids.
Or a grocery bagger in Iowa winning Super Bowl MVP a year later.
Asshole grocery bagger. Asshole grocery bagger, David.
Quote:
... if the Mets continue sucking why would anyone go to Citifield in the dog days of August and September?
Call him up in mid-September and get some people in the park. I would take my kids to a game to watch Tebow play.
If everyone knows its a novelty act (as Sandy Alderson himself admitted) why not have some fun with it? Sandy need to channel Bill Veeck and and put some smiles on the fans' faces.
Perversely, half the people that would go would be hoping he made a fool of himself. Hope it doesn't happen.
Not me. Totally would be rooting for him to hit a walk off homer. One thing about Tebow - you know he'll run everything out, stick around to sign autographs and give 100%.
But you're not excited at all? In fact, you now state that you don't care if he helps the Mets at all?
I know I'm not very smart - but this makes no sense. Sorry.
What's hard to understand? Its great as a "sports story" in its own right but it's not really exciting from a Mets team standpoint. It's not like Mets fans are going to be going gaga because they have some newfound 32 year old prospect in the system a couple years from now that "close". It is unlikely he ever REALLY helps the Mets even if everything goes perfectly.
But as something cool that's never been done? Yeah absolutely.
What the fuck is the point of bringing golf into this thread?
Oh, I forgot - It's Stan in LA, there never is a point...
Legs and arms go south before eyes do, especially nowadays with LASIK and glasses that actually stay on throughout activity.
Baseball players don't tend to go "south in a hurry". They tend to lose reflexes and lose bad speed, leg power or arm strength gradually. Guys begin to labor on the basepaths. When exactly do you see people struggling to see well enough to hit?
The hyperbole on this thread is off the charts
I'm guessing he'd say no. He's been probably called in for a back up role many times over the years and said no. I don't really blame him, he makes enough money outside of football, why go through all the BS just to be a backup?
Quote:
than it pisses off half the people paying attention.
Certainly not one of the greatest stories in sports. But I'm amazed at the dislike that gets thrown Tebow's way. Who did he ever hurt?
Who dislikes Tebow? This theme has popped up half a dozen times on this thread alone, and I'm not sure anyone has expressed any hatred whatsoever for the guy. It is, however, fair to wonder why a mediocre NFL QB who has a hot streak playing against 20 year olds is so newsworthy?
It's a fun story, nothing less, nothing more; but when you get into the hyperbole of the "greatest story in sports history", it is no wonder why many do the proverbial eye roll. That doesn't mean anyone hates him. It means some are tired of the endless hype around anything this guy does.
There is a reason young players are in high A ball - they're either not fully developed yet, or they're not that good. Take your pick.
I don't know how anybody could not be impressed with what he is doing. As an NFL player he was mediocre at best and here he is pushing 30 and playing professional baseball at a credible level. Jordan was arguably the greatest NBA player ever and he stunk out the joint when he tried to play baseball. And please don't rationalize it by saying Tebow is at A+ and Jordan was at AA. There isn't that much difference and Jordan was at it longer than Tebow.
Call him up in mid-September and get some people in the park. I would take my kids to a game to watch Tebow play.
If everyone knows its a novelty act (as Sandy Alderson himself admitted) why not have some fun with it? Sandy need to channel Bill Veeck and and put some smiles on the fans' faces.
Tebow was a bad QUARTERBACK. Which had nothing to do with his athletic abilty. He had all the physical tools needed to play the position. QB takes a lot more than athletic skill.
Many teams felt he could have been a good tight end, but he was not interested in changing positions.
We'll see with baseball. It's only been 3 weeks at A+.
There is a reason he is here and it's not that he is going to the show at 30.
Quote:
Your eyes also tend to go south in your 30s which is why a lot of baseball players go south in a hurry. Tebow was at a massive advantage being as old as he was and starting over from scratch.
Legs and arms go south before eyes do, especially nowadays with LASIK and glasses that actually stay on throughout activity.
Baseball players don't tend to go "south in a hurry". They tend to lose reflexes and lose bad speed, leg power or arm strength gradually. Guys begin to labor on the basepaths. When exactly do you see people struggling to see well enough to hit?
The hyperbole on this thread is off the charts
Is this for real? What a joke. LOL. You want to make a case against me that the reason players go south is because of reflexes not eye sight? Like this has anything to do with my point?? Even if you are right you are still proving my point for me. Tebow is turning 30 in 2 weeks. Or are you trying to tell me that baseball players, especially hitters, dont regress in their 30???. Wow.
You know why so many aging players(in their late 30's) have maintained stats? Not because of sight enhancements, but chemical enhancements that keep their bodies strong.
You want to know what normally goes first? Bat speed. That's why sluggers tend to lose power while singles hitters have longer careers.
Next is leg strength - which is why a lot of stocky pitchers who have relied on that lower body burst start to decline or beefier guys who were already below average on the basepaths become statues.
Then arm strength - which is why some corner IF's get moved to other positions.
Decline in eyes? And you're giving me the "are you for real" speech?
At least have a clue what you're fucking talking about. I've played in adult leagues with guys well into their 50's who still see as sharp as ever - what they can't do is hit the ball out of the park or get around the bases very well or pitch anything other than breaking balls, but please continue to discuss how guys in their early 30's see a sharp drop in play because of impending blindness. It's riveting shit.
Oh yeah... and according to Baseball Reference you are dead wrong.
Since 1984, the greatest likelihood of finding a player worth 2.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) on offense, as defined by Baseball-Reference.com, peaks quite clearly between the ages of 26 and 28. Each of those three “seasons” accounts for roughly 10 percent of all the players who achieved 2.0 WAR of offense from 1984-2014. The ages 25-30 are bunched closely enough to that peak plateau to suggest a period in which players are most likely to perform at something close to the height of their abilities — the so-called prime years.
Link - ( New Window )
That's just complete bullshit. At least own up to it instead of trying to say you didn't actually say that.
Man, your arguments have a shitload of moving targets.
Lol. Except that the research shows 26-28 (linked) over the last 35 years and it's actually trending even lower over the last few years (PEDs). I'm glad you think it's bullshit though!
Quote:
Your eyes also tend to go south in your 30s which is why a lot of baseball players go south in a hurry.
That's just complete bullshit. At least own up to it instead of trying to say you didn't actually say that.
Man, your arguments have a shitload of moving targets.
Nope. No moving targets. Pretty consistent. A.) it's an amazing feat. B.) No baseball player (hitter) has ever had a12 year layoff and decided to just come back to it 12 years later and succeed (no training, practice, ect.) and C. He's at a disadvantage being 30 (downside of his career/passed peak).
You're the one that wanted to make federal case over eye sight because you play in 50 year old leagues.
Not a federal case. Just calling it out as a horrendously stupid comment. T
he hyperbole on this thread is astounding. The exaggeration of a mediocre Class A player being one of the best stories ever is cheesier than a Hallmark movie. Then making all sorts of qualifiers like he's athletically finished, but able to compete with spry 20-somethings.
Your hilarity in saying players eyes go in their 30's is just icing on the cake, unless you were talking specifically about Kirby Puckett....
But thanks for the medical lesson Dr. Asshole. Thanks for changing nothing in regards to my point and clogging up the thread with nonsense.
I wouldn't expect a 30 year old to start to decline - in fact, it should be a peak age of maturity.
Making it sound like a 30 year old competing is like magic is the idiocy here.
Apart from probably meaning to say "disadvantage", you are saying that players eyes go in their 30's and that Tebow "as old as he is" is at a disadvantage. The dude is 30!
More literally, you've said some fairly ridiculous things, and then insisted people who disagree are simply twisting what you've said.
Quote:
You've literally taken everything I've said and twisted it to the tenth power.
More literally, you've said some fairly ridiculous things, and then insisted people who disagree are simply twisting what you've said.
Not really. No
Quote:
Your eyes also tend to go south in your 30s which is why a lot of baseball players go south in a hurry. Tebow was at a massive advantage being as old as he was and starting over from scratch
Apart from probably meaning to say "disadvantage", you are saying that players eyes go in their 30's and that Tebow "as old as he is" is at a disadvantage. The dude is 30!
Ive never defended or argued the eye sight point once. I'm not a doctor. Thinking a 30 year old who hasn't played baseball in 12 years isn't at any sort of disadvantage is absolutely fucking laughable. Keep hanging on to that eye sight thing like a badge of honor though!
Again Ive posted a link with real data and evidence saying a baseball hitters peak is 26-28. What the fuck have you given to dispute that? I should listen to BBI blogger guy over the study baseball reference did??
The point isn't if he is at a disadvantage anyway - the point is that somehow treading water in a High A league makes this the most compelling athletic story of alltime. It isn't.
Hell, Jim Morris, the old HS teacher who ended up playing in the actual major leagues is a ton more compelling, and he wasn't even a good pitcher at the top level.
You keep telling people to get a life because they aren't simply astounded by an excellent athlete holding his own at one of baseball's lowest levels. Who's the one holding onto something like a badge of honor??
Many people consider hitting a baseball to be the most difficult task in any of the major sports. MVP candidates and all-Stars will completely go into month long slumps and forget how to do it every single year let alone a guy who hasn't played since high school 12 years ago.
At 30 years old, Tebow is closer to the peak (even if one were to believe the 26-28 range) than the 19-21 year olds he's primarily playing against.
I know that goes against the whole shock and awe we should be experiencing, but you can't try to claim Tebow is rapidly declining while not recognizing that his fellow players are athletically immature.
He hasn't done shit yet.
Quote:
Again Ive posted a link with real data and evidence saying a baseball hitters peak is 26-28. What the fuck have you given to dispute that? I should listen to BBI blogger guy over the study baseball reference did??
At 30 years old, Tebow is closer to the peak (even if one were to believe the 26-28 range) than the 19-21 year olds he's primarily playing against.
I know that goes against the whole shock and awe we should be experiencing, but you can't try to claim Tebow is rapidly declining while not recognizing that his fellow players are athletically immature.
That would be true in another sport like football. What does being athletically immature have to do with hitting a baseball?
You keep talking about player's peak age this entire thread, even grandstanding about posting a link, yet it only applies to when players are declining, not ascending to their peak?
You do realize that a peak by definition has an upslope and a downslope next to it, right? Or are we going to spew some more happy horseshit about hitting a baseball being difficult as if it has age limiters built in?
Or is being past a peak somehow more indicative of not hitting a ball than still climbing to the peak?
You really seem to be shitty at grasping pretty simple concepts.
Your whole position here is that we are in the midst of watching an ancient 30 year old compete at baseball's lowest level and that it is the most compelling story ever.
Lol
I don't think you realize that most of the responses here are due to the original hyperbole you foisted out there.
I feel strangely like we are getting trolled by the old BBI "z" rule here.