TIM Tebow will play for the Philippines in the 2021 World Baseball Classic qualifiers set next month in Tucson, Arizona.
The former Heisman Trophy winner is currently playing for the minor league affiliate of the New York Mets confirmed the development in an interview with MLB.com.
The Philippines will begin its campaign against Czech Republic on March 20.
Due to the relaxed rules on eligibility in the WBC, Tebow is allowed to play for the Philippines being born in Makati to American parents.
Tebow, who does charity work in the Philippines, said he was honored when the baseball federation invited him to play in the qualifiers.
“I’ve just got such a heart for the Philippines,” said Tebow. “I’ve just really had a love for the people for a long time. To be able to represent them will be really cool, really, really cool. You don’t get a lot of chances to represent people or places that mean something to you.”
Former New York Yankees player Clay Rapada, a Fil-American, played for the Philippines in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 along with several minor league players with Filipino blood but Tebow’s case is the first for the Philippines.
Tebow was born in Makati on August 14, 1987 to parents doing missionary work in the Philippines, which was his home until he was five years old. He devotes time for charity work in the Philippines and in 2014 opened a hospital in Davao City called the Tebow CURE Hospital.
“I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been back. I’ve spent a lot of time. Love the people,” said Tebow.
Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Chito Loyzaga said they are in the process of finalizing the roster for the competition.
The Philippines plays a double elimination format against the Czech Republic, Great Britain, New Zealand, Panama and Spain in Pool 2, with the top two teams advancing to the 2021 World Baseball Classic.
Pool 1 action featuring Brazil, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Pakistan and South Africa is set March 12 to 17.
Tebow won the Heisman Trophy while playing for Florida. He played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, New England Patriots and the Philadephia Eagles, but didn’t enjoy the same success that he had in college.
Tebow then moved to baseball and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in 2016.
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