Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow watches his home run in his first at bat on the opening day during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow, second from left, reacts to a play on the field with hitting coach Joel Fuentes, left, during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow (15) stands in the dugout with teammates before a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow runs to first base after hitting a home run against the Augusta GreenJackets during a minor league baseball game Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly outfielder Tim Tebow (15) takes the field before a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow'faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow sits in the dugout during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow walks in the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow signs autographs before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jeffrey Collins / APNoelle Colligan shows off the Tim Tebow jersey she bought just before Tebow's professional baseball debut with the Class A Columbia Fireflies in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, April 6, 2017. Colligan said she has been a Tebow fan since he won the Heisman Trophy playing football for Florida in 2007. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Sean Rayford / APBaseball fans watch opening day between the Columbia Fireflies and the Augusta GreenJackets in a minor league baseball game on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. The matchup featured former Fireflies' outfielder and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow appearing in his first minor league baseball game. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APFILE- In April 6, 2017, file photo, Columbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow smiles during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets in Columbia, S.C. Tebow showed some consistency at the plate this week with two multi-hit games for the Fireflies. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
Sean Rayford / APFans of Tim Tebow wait for his team to take the field before the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow takes the field during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow takes the field during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow (15) talks with teammate Gene Cone before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow laughs with teammates before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow talks with teammates during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow smiles from the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow returns to the dugout after striking out during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow waves to fans before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow, right, laughs with teammate Max Kuhns (16) before a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow stretches with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APTim Tebow smiles from the dugout before a Columbia Fireflies game against the Augusta GreenJackets in Columbia, S.C., on April 6, 2017.
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow applauds from the dugout during a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day game in Columbia, S.C.
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow watches his home run in his first at-bat, against the Augusta GreenJackets during a minor league baseball game Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly outfielder Tim Tebow strikes out looking during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow looks out from the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow pictures from Memorial Day game with the Columbia Fireflies of Class A league
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow approaches home plate after hitting a home run in his first at-bat, during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Toni L. Sandys / The Washington PostTim Tebow walked twice and drove in a run Sunday, but he finished the day with a .216 batting average for the Class A Columbia Fireflies.
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow watches his home run in his first at bat on the opening day during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow, second from left, reacts to a play on the field with hitting coach Joel Fuentes, left, during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow (15) stands in the dugout with teammates before a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow runs to first base after hitting a home run against the Augusta GreenJackets during a minor league baseball game Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly outfielder Tim Tebow (15) takes the field before a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow'faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow sits in the dugout during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow walks in the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow signs autographs before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jeffrey Collins / APNoelle Colligan shows off the Tim Tebow jersey she bought just before Tebow's professional baseball debut with the Class A Columbia Fireflies in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, April 6, 2017. Colligan said she has been a Tebow fan since he won the Heisman Trophy playing football for Florida in 2007. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Sean Rayford / APBaseball fans watch opening day between the Columbia Fireflies and the Augusta GreenJackets in a minor league baseball game on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. The matchup featured former Fireflies' outfielder and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow appearing in his first minor league baseball game. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APFILE- In April 6, 2017, file photo, Columbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow smiles during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets in Columbia, S.C. Tebow showed some consistency at the plate this week with two multi-hit games for the Fireflies. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
Sean Rayford / APFans of Tim Tebow wait for his team to take the field before the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow takes the field during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow takes the field during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow (15) talks with teammate Gene Cone before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow laughs with teammates before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow talks with teammates during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow smiles from the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow returns to the dugout after striking out during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies' Tim Tebow waves to fans before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow, right, laughs with teammate Max Kuhns (16) before a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow stretches with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APTim Tebow smiles from the dugout before a Columbia Fireflies game against the Augusta GreenJackets in Columbia, S.C., on April 6, 2017.
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow applauds from the dugout during a minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day game in Columbia, S.C.
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow faces the press before his first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow watches his home run in his first at-bat, against the Augusta GreenJackets during a minor league baseball game Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly outfielder Tim Tebow strikes out looking during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Fireflies outfielder Tim Tebow looks out from the dugout before the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow pictures from Memorial Day game with the Columbia Fireflies of Class A league
Sean Rayford / APColumbia Firefly's Tim Tebow approaches home plate after hitting a home run in his first at-bat, during the team's minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Toni L. Sandys / The Washington PostTim Tebow walked twice and drove in a run Sunday, but he finished the day with a .216 batting average for the Class A Columbia Fireflies.
Mike Stocker / Sun SentinelTim Tebow practices with his new team before first game with the St. Lucie Mets since his promotion to the High-A affiliate Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
George Diaz / Orlando SentinelTim Tebow interacts with fans on Memorial Day Game
Tim Tebow seems to have found his stroke since getting back to his home state.
Tebow hit the first game-ending home run of his pro baseball career Thursday night, lifting the Class A St. Lucie Mets over the Daytona Tortugas 5-4 in a seven-inning game.
The former NFL quarterback went deep with one out against Cincinnati Reds farmhand Austin Orewiler, smacking a first-pitch fastball over the fence in left field. Tebow was doused with Gatorade and mobbed by teammates when he reached home plate.
“It was fun to celebrate with all the guys,” Tebow said.
The 29-year-old Tebow said it was his first walk-off homer since his junior year at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville. The former Florida quarterback did not play his senior year in order to focus on football.
“(The high school homer) was for the district championship. That felt pretty good, but this one was special,” Tebow said.
It’s his third home run in 16 Florida State League games following a promotion from Class A Columbia, and his sixth home run in 80 games overall in his first season as a minor leaguer.
Tebow has hit safely in 11 straight games and is batting .327 with 10 RBIs with St. Lucie. All three of his home runs with the Mets have gone to the opposite field.
“The goal is just to stay behind as many balls as I can. See it, let it get deep. When you stay behind it, it goes the other way,” he said.
Tebow’s high shot cleared the fence about 20 feet inside the foul pole, thrilling the 2,667 fans — many of whom arrived early to see the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner in action.
The victory capped a doubleheader sweep for the Mets. Minor league teams commonly play two seven-inning games during doubleheaders.
















































