Tim Tebow finally gets first spring training hit

It was just a single, but it was on a 2-2 pitch, so let’s hear it for progress at the plate.

The fans at the spring training game between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins probably didn’t know they were going to witness history. Yet where Tim Tebow goes right now as he pursues a baseball career, firsts will inevitably follow.

Tebow has looked overmatched at the plate so far in his Grapefruit League stint, going 0-for-8 and appearing perplexed by breaking balls of all kinds (though to be fair, so would most of us). Still, you know Tebow will persevere, and while it wasn’t exactly a screamer, he managed his first hit as a member of the Mets off Miami’s Kyle Lobstein.

Yes, there is video evidence of the feat.

As ESPN notes, Tebow also made an impressive defensive play in left field, making a diving catch on a ball hit by Justin Bour.

Tebow’s opportunity came because the Mets are shorthanded thanks to the World Baseball Classic and the split-squad games on this portion of their spring schedule. It’s likely he’ll head right back to the Mets’ minor league camp.

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Then again, maybe he showed enough to earn himself one more start until the Mets get some of their other players back. At this point in his fledgling baseball career, that’s pretty much what he’s hoping for every time he gets an opportunity.