When Tim Tebow Comes to Town

I put Tim and Tiger in the same ballpark or golf course. Enough.

You know who else embraces the 'Tebow effect?" Opposing pitchers.

What's strange about this otherwise captivating article is that the reader is required to know WHO Tebow is--all about his religious background & his iconic prayer kneel stance--to understand the strength of his appeal, even after his Heisman days with the Gators, which is also left a blank.. But neither his Florida roots nor anything about his religiosity is mentioned here at all, behind the hints that he doesn't drink & plans to speak at one local church. Where's the basic background facts & 5Ws in this piece about this guy--even whose AGE is likewise left un-noted here (except by fellow commenters)--that transformed him into a national "celebrity" in the first place?

Living here, this so-called phenomenon is a big nothing-burger. That's the problem with stories like these... they mischaracterize an entire community. Most people here don't care and some of us are outwardly skeptical of someone who wears his Christianity on his sleeve. After all, Jesus taught humility, not marketing! In point of fact, few restaurants have gone Tebow and even fewer churches have. Plus, the conversion of what was once a half-decent franchise — the Binghamton Mets — into the Binghamton “Rumble Ponies” has been pathetic. Many people here think the Mets affiliation was dropped entirely, so it will come as a surprise that it is still a Mets' farm team. And, that it is still as high as the AA level. The name should never have been changed. Bottom line: The New York Times should not be engaged in promoting religious fanaticism...and stereotyping an entire city.

For once I’d love to see an unapologetic atheist or agnostic be given as much airtime as this half-talent. When that day comes, you’ll know America has reached adulthood.

He has seen his high point in athletics. The man put everything into sport and as a pro he washed out. He needs to find a job that doesn't require him to do stuff on the field. After a while, it is just fruitless and then embarrassing.

So glad he's off the St. Lucie Mets. His cult following brought too many people who cared nothing about baseball, crowded the park and were generally a nuisance. They basically just chatted about things until he came to bat or a ball was hit in his direction. He's a marginal fielder and a batter that strikes out almost 1/2 of his at bats. In a full-time MLB position that would mean 300 strike outs in a year. Can't wait for him to go do a mission or something else and get out of the way of a more deserving young player. And yes, before someone argues, there are only 25 spots on the roster, so he is taking one from a player that might do something of value for the Mets beside selling #15 shirts, MiLB tickets, and hotdogs.

A couple of friends and I went to a game there in 2016. The joke going around was that the team name which was winning the contest was The Meths, in recognition of the run-down neighborhood the stadium is in.

UF taught him the value of hard work and dedication. He will succeed, no matter the sport. A very talented man. Go Gator.

I think it's great to see a nice guy making a living and revitalizing his work community. Tennis had Anna Kournikova, who didn't do much for the game as far as I can tell except garner a lot of attention and endorsements. Baseball seems to be a good environment for Tebow.

I’m from Binghamton and this makes me so proud to see! Go see the Rumble Ponies, some of the most fun baseball games you could go to!

Sounds more like the John Hughes effect to me, no disrespect to Tebow intended.

This is classic branding. Using "faith" and moderate talent to sell himself. Good for him. Nothing wrong with extracting and distilling what one's worth is.

Just visited the team's website. $11 for an eighth row seat right behind the plate. I wish I lived closer

Rumors are rampant that Tim, who has always had a keen desire to be a hockey goalie, is seriously considering offers from pro teams in Canada to play this winter. Three anonymous scouts have offered that Tebow possesses "all the necessary attributes for success in between the posts." Representatives are in the early stages of negotiations on a prototype Tim Tebow goalie mask.

I didn't think much of Mr. Tebow with his display of prayer after scoring a touchdown in football. Now my thinking has evolved and I believe that this man has the finger of God. We should all enjoy him and his honest living.

Gotta be a place where you can get a Tebown steak.

Does he still paint biblical chapter:verse on his eye black? He may be athletic, but that shows where his mind really is.

It's too bad that Tebow washed out in the NFL, despite actually winning a playoff game. Personally I think he should be up north lighting up the CFL but it's a good thing for Binghamton to have him on their team. He seems to be one of the few genuinely good guys in sports, and the humility he shows by continuing to play in the minor leagues is refreshing.

I want to go to Binghamton to see the Rumble Ponies (great name) and Tim Tebow!

Is his prayer to god or to the audience? - Steal away and pray in your secret closet.

It seems as if this guy has been in the minor leagues for so long that we should by now come to the realization that he's not major league material. I guess that what's important now is that he have a good time playing the game.

Glad to hear he's helping the team, but he's just a glorified mascot. 30 year old AA players hitting .244 are not really prospects.

Tebow seems like a genuine individual and a hard worker/player and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Having said that, I wish our culture devoted a fraction of the cult status to teachers or any other hard working member of society that is contributing far more to it, than just playing a game. I know, I know, it's a crazy idea. never mind.

I'm happy for Tim Tebow. The man is a winner who makes his teammates better. And, although I am a Nats fan on like the Syracuse Chiefs, the name Rumble Ponies ROCKS!

“I’m not the smartest guy in the world. I’m not the most talented person." These words could have also been uttered by another New York sports team owner: James Dolan.

Great stuff. I am glad to see lots of attention go to a franchise that seems to really deserve it. Sure, it comes from a guy who is hardly the best player on the team, but that's the world we live in right now. Plus, that guy (Tebow) is a good guy and worthy of respect as his charitable works in Binghamton and beyond attest.

"Things don't just happen buddy. You put your nose down and get after it and get to work and good things are going to happen. That's kind of how I live my life." John Hughes That, Mr. Hughes, is what I like to see in my life. It's the kind of expression of one's outlook that I take the time to capture, print out, and tape to my 14 year-old's door. Thank you, sir.

I'm glad Tim Tebow is bringing some extra fans to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The team has been there since 1992 (with a different name for most of those years) and they deserve larger attendance than they currently get, so Tebow's presence is helpful. But is he a prospect for the New York Mets or is he a gimmick? It is highly unusual for a player of his age to be a serious prospect. My personal thinking is his signing was a marketing move by the Mets and not a baseball move. Minor League Baseball is filled with all sorts of crazy promotions to get fans to buy tickets. If that is all Tim Tebow is, I can go along with that. If the New York Mets front office thinks he can be successful in the majors one day, then it is time for a change of leadership in Queens.