By Danielle McCartan (@CoachMcCartan)

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ- Today, Tim Tebow, former National Football League quarterback reported for day one of the New York Mets instructional league in Florida. A former Heisman trophy winning Florida Gator, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos, finds himself in an orange and blue uniform yet again.  After an 11-year absence from the game of baseball, Tebow told Newsday magazine: “I’ve loved the game of baseball. Hitting a baseball is one of my favorite things to do in sports. I’m excited about the journey, the challenge, the difficulties, all of it. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s something that’s definitely exciting for me.”

Tim Tebow reports to his first day of the Mets’ Fall Instructional League. pic.twitter.com/EobKOuCxnM

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 19, 2016

The Mets have begun selling products with Tim Tebow’s name and jersey number online. https://t.co/5wByk3lpkX

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 19, 2016

Promptly, the Mets began selling orange and blue #15 memorabilia.  According to Fanatics, Tebow’s jersey is third in sales on the Mets website.  He trails, in sales, behind the custom nameplate option and pitching ace Noah Syndergaard.  Mets general manager Sandy Alderson insists this is not a publicity stunt, or get-rich-quick scheme. “This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort. We are extremely intrigued with the potential that Tim has. . . . This is a classic player-development opportunity for us. As an organization, we’re going to provide that development opportunity for Tim.”  Many fans, of course, do not believe Alderson.

@SportsCenter of course, they have, there is absolutely no other reason to be involved in this dog and pony show than to sell stuff lol

— Karen Lowkey Largo (@KarenKeyLargo) September 19, 2016

Saturday, I caught up with Hall of Fame New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and asked him about Tebow’s chances for success in the MLB. “[He] is a good guy. He’s got a great heart. He’s not a football player. . . . He’s a great guy that can give you some spark, but he’s not a football player, he’s not.  Maybe he’ll do better in baseball and I wish him all the luck in the world.”

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Fans are curious to see how he will fare off the gridiron and on the diamond.  Today, the chainlink fence surrounding the practice field was lined with approximately 400 onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of Tebow’s workout. 70 media members converged on the field to report on and tweet about every move Tebow made.  A normal crowd for this type of practcice is about 20 people – mostly family members of the players (Mets.com).

Even after seeing photos from today’s practice, some fans wondered if this was a cruel joke:

@SportsCenter April fools

— RICHARD MIXIN (@RICHARDMIXINN) September 19, 2016

Of course, it is not April 1st, but September 19th.

This professional baseball player, cited the fact that Tebow could, quite possibly, make an MLB roster ahead of more qualified candidates.  Clearly, Mr. Kandel takes Tebow’s tryout personally.

@SportsCenter marketing move and PR stunt. This is offensive to every single person out there who’s played or is playing professional ball

— Keith Kandel (@keithkandel) September 19, 2016

Still, while many fans wondered how the Mets had the misfortune of reeling in one of the NFL’s most polarizing players, others, on Twitter, remained optimistic for Tebow’s impending Major League Baseball career:

@SportsCenter @TimTebow @Mets I will never understand the hate for a person that just goes out and work hard and tries to be a good person!!

— Matt Johnson (@mjtaz53) September 19, 2016

@SportsCenter @TimTebow @Mets what better colors than Blue and Orange for the former Gator?

— Oliver Queen🏹 (@NoiSinEss) September 19, 2016

@SportsCenter @TimTebow @Mets I’m so excited for him!!! Good Luck and God Bless you Tim!!

— Carlene Auestad (@SHViking) September 19, 2016

After his workout today, Tebow told reporters: “For me, success is going to be defined by giving it everything I have and be the best I can be and pursuing this with everything I have. It’s a dream for me and a blessing for me to be able to pursue that.”

Tebow-Mania descends, once again, upon New York – safe to say, but will it stay?