Tim Tebow may have just started his minor league baseball career, but his merchandise has already scored a home run.
Before finishing his first practice session at the Mets' spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Monday morning, Tebow's jersey ranks as a top seller on the official Major League Baseball's merchandise website.
According to MLBshop.com, the Tim Tebow jersey now ranks as the No.1 seller for the entire New York Mets team, and the sixth-highest overall seller. Only retiring Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz merchandise is performing better than the rookie's.
Over the weekend, Tebow's jersey quickly leapt over the jerseys of popular Mets' major league players, including Noah Snydergaard, Yoenis Cespedes and even Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.
The New York Mets signed the 29-year-old Tebow, a former National Football League quarterback, to a minor league contract on September 9. He received a $100,000 signing bonus as part of his deal.
Shortly after the signing, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson defended the transaction, which some critics saw as merely a publicity stunt and moneymaking opportunity.
"The opportunity to sell t-shirts and the like is almost non-existent," he told the Associated Press. "This was about baseball. This was about giving somebody an opportunity."
In an interesting twist, the New York Mets may have a conflict on their hands with Tebow's number popularity. Shortstop Matt Reynolds, who is officially on the New York Mets roster, wears the number 15 jersey. Yet, he does not have a jersey for sale on the website.
Only time will tell if Tebow's performance numbers can keep up with his sales statistics.
