JUST MY TYPE

TIM TEBOW

THE CHANGEUP

The 29-year-old former quarterback is back in the outfield for the first time since high school after signing a minor league contract with the Mets. And even if an NFL team were to call ...

DAN PATRICK:When did you start thinking seriously about playing baseball?

TIM TEBOW: It actually started a couple of years ago. [The love of baseball] never really left me. If I was speaking at different universities and they were hitting BP, I might go out there and hit. A couple of years ago I brought it up to some of my agents at CAA and they looked at me like, Well, a lot of athletes probably think they can do this, but you can't really. I just told the baseball agent, "Come take a look at me. If you think I can't do this, just tell me." [Last April] we flew to Florida and I had a little workout. He saw something he liked and we started to pursue it. In the middle of my fifth at bat, [then Eagles coach] Chip Kelly called. My brother handed me the phone. I had to make a tough choice: football or baseball. The Eagles' offense looked good so I thought I'd give that a shot. Obviously it didn't work out.

DP:Which hitter do you aspire to be?

TT: I've been blessed to work with Gary Sheffield. He was an awesome hitter. I have a wider approach and less bat movement than he did, but his smooth swing is [worth] emulating.

DP:When's the last time you got a call from an NFL team?

TT: I'm not sure. We still might get some calls about positions [other than quarterback].

DP:Did you ever consider playing another position?

TT: Not really. Honestly, for me it's always about pursuing what you love and you're passionate about. I love the game of football. But what I really love doing is playing the quarterback position. If I were going to make a change, I'd rather just make the change to baseball. I don't have to do what a lot of other people want me to do. I get to pursue what I want to do.

DP:How do you answer when people ask you why you're not in the NFL right now?

TT: I think you know my answer. Everything happened for a reason. I'm grateful for that. I'm truly excited about the Mets.

DP:Could you start with the Browns right now?

TT:[Laughs.] You always gotta throw a question like that in there.

DP:So what's your answer?

TT: I always believe in my talent. I haven't played that sport in a while. I feel like I could get back into it pretty quick.

DP:Oh, just say it. You could start for the Browns right now.

TT:[Laughs.] I appreciate your confidence in me.

GUEST SHOTS

SAY WHAT?

Dodgers announcer Vin Scully told me he isn't preparing anything special before calling his final Dodgers game. "I've never planned," Scully said. "I really don't want to make a big deal out of it because it's already been made a big deal. I'm appreciative, but I'm also embarrassed." ... Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stood up for oft-criticized Bears quarterback Jay Cutler: "I've been around him many times. He is a serious guy and a hard worker. I think people that speculate don't know him. It's just speculation and gossip." ... Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who rejoined the team after a two-year retirement, said he won't rule out returning to the U.S. national team. "If I felt I could actually help and contribute? Of course," Donovan, 34, said. "But I've only played a total of like 20 minutes in two years."