New York Mets OF Tim Tebow strokes nine homers in BP

Tim Tebow showed he can hit a baseball, but nine home runs during a batting practice session Monday will have zero impact on the 29-year-old football convert's future with the New York Mets.

Tebow arrived at Port St. Lucie, Fla., for spring training on Monday and promptly put on a power display with a run of four homers on five pitches and a total of nine swings that put the ball over the fence.

Tebow, who was asked after BP about his time with the New York Jets and Denver Broncos during a career in the NFL, made it clear he's taking the long view on a baseball future.

"That's my ultimate goal," Tebow said during a 24-minute interview session. "I've had so much fun training, pursuing it. I enjoy the process, and hopefully I'll have a chance to (play in the major leagues) someday."

Tebow had a .194 batting average with the Mets in the Arizona Fall League. He said he worked with batting instructor Kevin Long and former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy to shorten his swing.

"I haven't totally changed my swing," Tebow said.

Contact rate was an issue during the minor league workouts. Tebow had 20 strikeouts in 62 at-bats. He will continue to work with minor leaguers.

"I don't think it's a bigger challenge than I thought. Obviously, it's a big challenge, right?" Tebow said. "You're picking up a sport after 12 years of not playing it, but I understood it. I think part of the challenge in it being so hard is part of why it's something I'm enjoying and loving. It's a hard game. It's not an easy thing to do. Hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things in sports, but I'm enjoying it very much."

Murphy said earlier this week that he considers Tebow's power legitimate. While Tebow refused to rate his chances to ever play in a MLB game after 34 games in the NFL, Murphy believes it could come in time.

"He just needs that experience to pull from, which only a full season can give you," Murphy said.

Tebow signed a $100,000 minor league deal in September. He had four hits in 14 at-bats with the Mets' instructional league team before joining the AFL roster.

Manager Terry Collins said Saturday that he has more than enough "on my plate here," when asked about any interactions with the University of Florida Heisman Trophy winner.

"I think when they tell me that Tim has some at-bats and he's comfortable at the plate and comfortable with what he's doing, I'll get him over here," Collins later told reporters Sunday.

"This game is about our fans. It will always be about the fans and this guy is a special person. He's a tremendous athlete, has a huge name in the sports world. He's in our organization trying to be a baseball player and I'm not trying to take anything away from that. I salute him for what he's trying to do. It's not going to be easy, it's going to be very difficult."