Phillies sending scouts to watch Tim Tebow’s baseball tryout: Report

Being an Eagle wasn’t enough — Tim Tebow wants to be a Phillie now too.

At least according to USA Today, which reports that when the former Eagles quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner holds his baseball “tryout” in Los Angeles next Tuesday. Other sources say a scout is attending just “out of curiosity,” but you never know — if Tebow impresses, he could lace up cleats for the Reading Fightins.

Tebow, who led Florida to a pair of national titles in the mid 2000s has not played baseball since his high school days but assures anyone who asks that he is serious about making a new career of it. He hit over .400 back in his teens and says the sport has always been a passion of his.

He has been working out in Arizona for the past few weeks preparing for the tryout.

Current Phillies relief pitcher David Hernandez expressed outrage to CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury when discussing the idea of Tebow possibly taking the roster spot of a prospect who has spent his entire life pursuing baseball.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Hernandez said. “Hats off to him for getting an opportunity, but I just don’t think it’s very plausible that he’ll get anywhere.Nothing against him, but just from the standpoint that getting to the major leagues is a long grind. It’s not easy. There’s a lot of work that goes into it. It’s kind of a slap in the face for him to say, ‘I think I’ll grab my things and go play pro baseball.’ It’s not that easy.”

Tebow was cut by Chip Kelly and the Eagles just over a year ago despite contemplating that he could make the roster as a third quarterback. Previously, he was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Broncos who he led to a playoff victory. He had unsuccessful stints with the Jets and Patriots before his final NFL preseason with Philadelphia.