Tim Tebow has had an overwhelmingly positive impact for the St. Lucie Mets.

The decision for the former Florida Gator and NFL QB to pursue baseball was met with widespread criticism, but it has certainly paid off for the Mets. Tebow is only hitting .220 with a .341 slugging percentage and 122 strikeouts in 121 games this season, but his impact goes beyond the box score.

Bill Whitehead of the TC Palm reports the St. Lucie Mets have set a new, single-season attendance record, thanks in large part to Tebow’s presence.

Earlier this month, St. Lucie set a single season attendance record, and the Mets’ new fan mark could be tough to break…The former Florida Gators star quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was promoted to St. Lucie from the Low A Columbia Fireflies on June 25. The call-up on a lazy, hot Sunday afternoon during a home loss sent a jolt throughout the ballpark.

Traer Van Allen, general manager for St. Lucie, has definitely noticed the impact.

“The impact he has had (on attendance) is huge,” said Van Allen. “It’s a great situation to have.”

St. Lucie’s season attendance stood at 122,215 as of Sunday evening, more than 15,000 higher than the previous record with five games left to play.

Tebow acknowledged seeing a large amount of Gator fans come out to the minor league baseball games has been cool to see.

“UF fans have always turned out to support their athletes, so it’s been a great experience,” said Tebow. “Gator Nation is everywhere.”

It remains unlikely that Tebow will ever see action in Major League Baseball, but the signing was definitely worth it for the Mets’ minor league system.