Love Letters From Pronk is an ongoing series where Pronk shares his love for somebody connected to the Cubs. Sometimes funny, sometimes weird, sometimes touching, Pronk likes to make 100% sure people know that they are loved, and best expresses that through gushing letters. Today's pick, minor league baseball player, Tim Tebow.
Dear Tim,
You are an athlete that a lot of people can look up to. Always at max effort, and always full of spirit. Your football career might have been derailed, and your baseball career might be a stretch, but you always try your hardest. Nobody can deny that you have some of the strongest tenacity on the field.
After realizing that football was over, you shifted over to baseball. A curious move for someone who hadn't played since high school. I figured you'd get a hit or two and would bomb out. But you didn't. You didn't set the world on fire, but you did have a reasonable 2018 campaign where you put up a .734 OPS for AA. With how hard baseball is, the fact that you were 30, and considering you hadn't played in a decade, I am very impressed.
You also brought fans to the minor league parks, which helps support those needy teams financially. In this day where minor league teams are under duress and possibly fold, a celebrity presence to help sell a few tickets cannot be undervalued. We all know you aren't playing baseball for the money, it's for the joy of the game. In 2017, the St. Lucie Mets set a single season attendance record with you on the roster. That is wonderful.
I really appreciate your dedicated and focus on your faith. You aren't afraid to share, and it's inspiring to many, including myself. You don't flaunt it, but rather live it out in great ways every single day. Well done. Whether it was being celebrated or mocked, "Tebowing" raised awareness.
It's really awesome how charitable you've been, dating back to your college days. I was so busy in college, I couldn't imaging being a student, athlete, and also conducting several large fundraisers for peers. The Tim Tebow foundation's night to shine is something that I look forward to reading about every year. I always get a bit choked up seeing those special needs lives changed. It may "just" be one night, but it gives them a special memory to hold onto.
About two years ago, I had to put down my dog. It was the worst day of my life. My best buddy who was always glued to my side was in constant pain, and it was time. I was there when he breathed his last. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do and it wrecked me. I saw the news about you and Bronco, and you have my empathy.
Watching that, I felt like I knew everything you were going through. it made me feel a bit better, knowing that it stung you as well. If Mr. Big and Strong, put his mind to anything, and can become a pro baseball player after a 10 year layoff, gets wrecked by the loss of his dog, then I guess it's okay for me to have felt the same way when I was in the same situation. It brought me comfort. I am very sorry for your loss.
Tim, thanks for being a positive influence in all aspects of your life: your on field tenacity, your strong faith, your charitable work, and your revealing humanity. There is something that we can all take away from the way you live your life.
XOXO,
Pronk
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