Mets: Tim Tebow deserves to be an All-Star for non-baseball reasons

Hey now, New York Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow is an All-Star. He deserves it, too.

You have may have heard, New York Mets farmhand Tim Tebow will play in this year’s Eastern League All-Star Game. You may also know Tebow isn’t like most Double-A players. He’s a larger than life figure who isn’t quite a prospect yet seems to have the ability to grab our attention with each at-bat.

We know Tebow from his glorious college football days and his sometimes miraculous NFL games. As a professional baseball player, we’re seeing a different side of Tebow. We’re seeing his humanitarian side come out more.

Tebow’s numbers don’t jump out as All-Star worthy. Even at the minor league level, he’s performing well behind others in the Eastern League. Much like the argument that Tebow is taking an opportunity away from others who could have his roster spot the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, not everyone is on board with seeing him play in the All-Star Game.

However, All-Star Games aren’t meant to reward the best players. It’s an exhibition game where fan-favorites get to start. Along with them, a few of the best from other teams also get to participate.

Every All-Star Game has its flaws. In Major League Baseball, we’re probably going to see Bryce Harper start for the National League despite an underwhelming season. Thanks to his popularity, Harper is a virtual lock each season. The same is true for other national stars as well.

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The fact that every team must send a representative is another reminder of how this isn’t truly a gathering of the league’s best. Not every team deserves to have a player in the Midsummer Classic. To draw a fan from each city, it’s the requirement.

Tebow is an All-Star regardless of everything. He has brought fans to minor league ballparks all year long. It hasn’t been as a freak show either. Tebow has held his own and regularly goes out of his way to remind the public that it’s about more than the scoreboard.

I remember back to my little league days. The league had its own All-Star team which played throughout the summer against others in the state. Wouldn’t you know, the coach’s son was guaranteed a roster spot regardless of talent.

All-Star Games aren’t perfect. They are a reward for a player’s performance both on the field and off.

In 2018, it just so happens that the Mets will send Tim Tebow to this minor league exhibition game to represent their franchise.

If the league sees Tebow as the type of player they believe deserves a trip to the All-Star Game, how can we argue?

Surely, there’s money involved and this is going to attract even more attention to the ticket windows. So what? People want to see Tebow play. At a time when plenty of teams don’t give fans a reason to see a game live, it’s great to have one.

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Do you think Tebow is deserving of his All-Star selection? Or do you believe a game with little meaning doesn’t go beyond the stat sheet?