Mets’ Tim Tebow retiring from baseball

Tim Tebow’s pursuit of playing Major League Baseball concluded Wednesday, only days before the Mets’ first full-squad workout of the spring.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and Jets quarterback announced his retirement from baseball, rather than reporting to his fifth spring training.

“I want to thank the Mets, [Sandy] Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization,” Tebow said in a statement. “I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions. I never want to be partially in on anything. I always want to be 100 percent in on whatever I choose. Thank you again for everyone’s support of this awesome journey in baseball, I’ll always cherish my time as a Met. #LGM”

Tebow, 33, advanced as far as Triple-A Syracuse in 2019, when he hit .163 in 77 games. He signed with the Mets in September 2016, when Alderson (who has since returned to the organization as team president) was still the general manager. Tebow’s agent at the time was Brodie Van Wagenen, who spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons as Mets GM.

“It has been a pleasure to have Tim in our organization as he’s been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets,” Alderson said. “By reaching the Triple-A level in 2019, he far exceeded expectations when he first entered the system in 2016 and he should be very proud of his accomplishments.”