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Tim Tebow is going to be a Firefly. He’ll start the season with the New York Mets Class A affiliate

New York Mets fielder Tim Tebow makes a diving catch on a fly ball by Miami's Justin Bour during an exhibition game on March 13.
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)
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Tim Tebow is becoming a Firefly.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will continue his new life as a professional baseball player as a member of the Columbia Fireflies in South Carolina.

Tebow has been assigned to start the 2017 season with the New York Mets’ Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League, where he is expected to be an everyday player in right or left field.

“Sending him to a full-season club is what we hoped to be able to do,” Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson told Newsday on Monday. “And based on what he’s done in spring training, and his whole body of work since last fall, we feel comfortable with him going to Columbia.”

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Going into Monday’s action, the 29-year-old Tebow had gone four for 17 (.235) in Grapefruit League play with the Mets this spring. He also had a diving catch in right field last week.

“Tebow’s story is so compelling — from the BCS National Championships and the NFL playoffs to reinventing himself as a professional baseball player,” Fireflies President John Katz said in a statement. “His humility, faith and unwavering commitment to better himself will bring a new dynamic to our clubhouse. Having a player that has achieved his level of success on two big stages will ultimately pay huge dividends for our players as they pursue their dreams of playing for the New York Mets.”

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii

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