Tim Tebow called up to St. Lucie, plays last game with Fireflies - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

The Tebow train is leaving Columbia!

The former Heisman Trophy winner played his final game in Columbia on Sunday and left for Florida right after the game.

Related: Tim Tebow smashes another home run

The Fireflies outfielder was promoted to the Class A-Advanced St. Lucie Mets along with three other Fireflies players.

"Obviously, I love Florida so would be nice to be a little closer to some family," he said Sunday. "But the goal in the focus at hand is improving as a baseball player."

Tebow has appeared in 63 games with the Fireflies and owns a .222 batting average. He drilled three homers, including one coming in his first at-bat on opening night, knocked in 23 runs and worked 23 walks. Tebow leaves with the second-most doubles on the team.  

"The goal is when you're somewhere, hopefully you leave it just a little better than you found it," he said. "Hopefully that was the case here. People here had a great impact on me as well. It's a great town and a great city. Lot of awesome people. I know they had a very big impact on me. So I am very grateful."

"But I am still not a Gamecock fan," he said with a laugh. 

Related: Fireflies president on Tebow: 'He's just another Minor Leaguer, but he's not.'

The two-time national champion at Florida and former NFL quarterback signed with the Mets on September 8, 2016. It was announced on March 20 that Tebow would begin the season with the Fireflies. He played his first professional baseball game in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,412 on April 6 at Spirit Communications Park.

Related: Tim Tebow on Jimmy Fallon: 'I love what I do every day'

St. Lucie is off on Monday and returns to action against the Palm Beach Cardinals on June 27.

The Fireflies finished a four-game series with the Kannapolis Intimidators Sunday evening. Tebow went 0-2 with a walk in the Fireflies 2-1 loss.  

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