Jon Santucci: Tim Tebow is not a baseball player

PORT ST. LUCIE – Tim Tebow is not a baseball player.

Whether you are a Tebow apologist with a blue and orange shrine in your home or a skeptic who sees the 29-year-old in a New York Mets uniform as nothing more than a sideshow, don’t get too amped up by that statement.

Saying Tebow is not a baseball player is not based on what is seen on the diamond or his struggles during the Arizona Fall League.

It’s a reflection of what the former Heisman Trophy winner turned minor league outfielder said during his introductory news conference on Monday at First Data Field.

“At the end of the day, I know that’s not why I’m here, it’s not my biggest purpose, it’s not my biggest calling it’s not how I want to be known in my life,” Tebow said. “It’s not as a football player, as a baseball player – as someone that worked hard to accomplish those things. I want my life to be so much more than that.

“I want to be someone that was known for bringing faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. That is something that is a life calling for me and it is so much bigger than sports. But I am so grateful for sports because it’s given me a platform to be able to share and love and care for people all over the world, so I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But they do have very distinct separate places and I like to keep them there as well.”

Tim Tebow is a guy who plays baseball.

It’s a job for him – and that’s alright.

But this also is a guy who talks as glowingly about giving a hug or signing an autograph as he does about hitting with Washington Nationals all-star Daniel Murphy before dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

Tebow isn’t a guy who lives and dies with every at-bat. He certainly isn’t the Paul O’Neill type who’s going to be demonstratively upset with every strikeout.

When asked Monday about his chances of making the major league roster, Tebow basically blew off the question. Sure, he doesn’t know what the odds are, but he also doesn’t seem too worried about it.

“Gosh, I hope so, it’s why you put in the work, but that’s not just the ultimate goal,” Tebow said.

Wait, playing in the major leagues isn’t the ultimate goal of a minor league baseball player?

How many minor league players are there who aren’t obsessively driven by the thought of playing in the major leagues? What’s the point of playing minor league baseball expect to work your way up to the majors?

If that’s not the ultimate goal for Tebow, then what is?

“The ultimate goal is to be able to enjoy it every day,” he said. “I can honestly sit here … and say I had so much fun training, pursuing it, striking out, whatever it’s been. Today is just the next day in that process. I’m going to enjoy that.”

Enjoying the process is fine. It’s a gift to be able to enjoy your job.

But, seriously, Tebow’s response is just more evidence that he’s not wired like the typical baseball player.

The typical baseball player didn’t go on mission trips to the Philippines as a teenager. The typical baseball player doesn’t get more excited talking about helping the destitute than they do working on their swing.

It’s why Tebow didn’t get overwhelmed when he went hitless in his first 13 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League.

“So much of handling sports is handling pressure,” he said. “What pressure do you have if you’re 0 for 12 and you’re at the plate versus someone that is fighting for their life? Versus someone that we picked up on the side of the street in Haiti – because they’re crippled or not wanted or they’re thrown in the garbage? How do you compare those things?

“For me there’s not a comparison. That’s why you’re able to handle sports as a game, because it still is.”

Tebow is a guy who plays baseball.

And whether you love or hate him – few people seem to live in between the points on that spectrum – don’t get too worked up about the outcome of each throw or at-bat.

He won’t.

Jon Santucci is a multi-media sports journalist with TCPalm.com/Treasure Coast Newspapers.