MLB

Here it is -- your first shot of Tim Tebow in a real NY Mets jersey ... sporting his old football jersey number as he made his debut at The Fall Instructional League in Florida.

The 29-year-old former NFL quarterback arrived to the NY Mets minor league facility in Port St. Lucie -- where his MLB journey will begin.

Tebow got a $100,000 signing bonus as part of his contract with the team. Now, it's time to see if he can actually play.

Here we go again ... another MLB club hazing the rookies by making them hit an L.A. nightclub dressed as women. This time, it's the San Francisco Giants.

TMZ Sports has footage of rookie pitchers Derek Law and Albert Suarez at Hyde on the Sunset Strip -- in backless dresses with wigs.

The guys seemed to have fun doing it ... but the cross-dressing hazing has been under fire from certain LGBT orgs for a while which say the practice sends a dangerous message to kids.

In the past, everyone from the Oakland As to the Miami Marlins have taken part in cross-dressing hazing.

FYI, the NY Mets found a different way to haze their rookies last year -- sending them out dressed as male superheroes in full costume.

Goose Gossage still really, really, really doesn't like Bryce Harper and thinks he's a "punk" ... but good news, Bryce ... Gossage doesn't hate you as much as he did back in March!

If you remember ... Goosage threw all kinds of shade on Harper a few months back ... calling him a "fool" and claiming Bryce has no respect for the game.

So, when we ran into the Yankees legend out in NYC ... we wanted to know if he's cooled on Harper ... and could maybe one day see a future with the Nats star in pinstripes.

Answer ... maybe? Gossage semi-unloads on Harper, calling him a "punk" ... but has to admit, the kid's got skills on the baseball diamond.

Carlos Boozer has a message for MLB star Carlos Beltran ... BACK AWAY FROM THE HAIR DYE ... saying Boozer's own hair horror story should be a cautionary tale for the Rangers star.

Beltran has been getting KILLED on social media for his new 'do ... which looks -- with all due respect, Carlos -- super damn weird ... like the man painted hair on a bald head.

It's not the first time we've seen it ... Carlos Boozer rocked the same style back in the day and was similarly roasted ... explaining later to Colin Cowherd it was a hairdresser's decision gone bad.

Check out the clip ... and Beltran, please, take the help.

Tim Tebow came a lot closer to following in the footsteps of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle than we thought ... because Yankees general manager Brian Cashman tells TMZ Sports the team gave real consideration to signing the ex-NFL star.

"We certainly thought a lot about it," Cashman tells TMZ Sports ... "there’s a lot of characteristics about his reputation and character that are really attractive."

In fact, Cashman says the Yanks sent TWO scouts to Tebow's MLB workout in L.A. last month.

Of course, Tebow ended up signing a minor league contract with the NY Mets -- and Cashman says he thinks the guy could have real value as a baseball player down the road.

"He’s a legitimate athlete, no question about it. So you can’t deny there’s potential, something there. But it’s an uphill battle."

Tim Tebow had MULTIPLE offers on the table before signing a minor league contract with the NY Mets ... this according to his hitting coach and ex-MLB catcher Chad Moeller.

"There was definitely other teams involved," Moeller tells TMZ Sports ... "and more than just 1 or 2."

In fact, Moeller says Tebow received real offers from ball clubs even before his MLB showcase on August 30th.

Check out the clip ... Moeller says he truly believes Tebow is the real deal -- and has more athletic ability and power than most of the players in the big leagues.

Ex-Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera was found guilty of misdemeanor assault on a woman stemming from an April incident outside of a hotel in Arlington ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Olivera was arrested on April 13th outside the Ritz-Carlton after cops say he got physical with a woman early that morning.

Olivera had pled not guilty -- but the case went to a bench trial and the judge found him guilty, this according to Arlington prosecutors.

We're told the 31-year-old Cuban-born player was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 80 days suspended.

We spoke with Olivera's lawyer, Mark Schamel, who tells us he will appeal the conviction next week.

Olivera -- who was a member of the Braves at the time of the incident -- was suspended by MLB for 82 games after the league ran its own investigation and determined he did inflict harm on the woman.

Meet the Met ... well, at least the guy who just signed a minor league deal with the team.

The New York Mets just announced Tim Tebow has signed a minor league contract.

So, what does that mean?

The 29-year-old will begin in the Instructional League -- and could be sent to the Arizona Fall League.

Tebow showed some good power during his workout for MLB teams last week -- despite the fact he hasn't played competitive baseball since high school.

There were rumblings that the Atlanta Braves were interested -- but they didn't move quick enough.

Good luck ...

Mike Trout was NOT drunk when he slammed his black Mercedes-Benz into a Chevy late Wednesday night ... officials tell TMZ Sports.

We spoke with Officer Olivera of the California Highway Patrol who tells us ... responding officers say Trout did not show ANY signs of intoxication at the scene of the crash and therefore was NOT asked to perform a field sobriety test.

According to the report, Trout was driving a black 2013 Mercedes on the 55 Freeway near Angels Stadium when he came upon slowed traffic and couldn't stop in time.

He tried to swerve but slammed into a Chevrolet -- driven by a 27-year-old woman -- which careened into the rear of a 1994 GMC.

The GMC spun out of control until it slammed into a fence.

Officials say Trout immediately pulled to the side of the road and checked on the driver of the Chevy, who was later hospitalized with injuries sustained in the crash.

Law enforcement tells us the woman suffered "major injuries but is expected to live."

We're told Trout will NOT be charged with a crime -- but officials will continue to investigate to determine who was at fault so they can pass the info over to insurance companies.

Long story short ... you can probably expect a lawsuit as soon as the woman gets healthy enough to hire a lawyer.

L.A. Angels superstar Mike Trout was involved in a bad crash in Orange County after his game Wednesday night -- but miraculously, the outfielder was NOT hurt.

The crash occurred around 8:50 PM -- after the Angels defeated the Reds in Anaheim.

Officials say 4 cars were involved in the wreck on the 55 Freeway -- very close to the Angels Stadium -- and one car was wrecked so badly, rescuers needed the Jaws of Life to cut one person out their vehicle.

Trout was driving a black Mercedes, which suffered pretty significant damage to the front passenger side.

Two people were hospitalized in the wreck. Unclear how serious their conditions are.

Trout appeared to be okay ... with Angels general manager Billy Eppler issuing a statement saying, "I have spoken with Mike this evening and he feels fine."

"He is at home with his roommate and is planning on traveling with the club to Seattle tomorrow afternoon. We will update as more information becomes available."

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

In footage obtained by Fox 11's Liz Habib, Trout appears relatively calm at the scene.

Story developing ...

MLB player Hector Olivera is giving Floyd Mayweather a run for his money -- really -- 'cause the free agent outfielder is dropping $3.5 MILLION on a one-of-a-kind SUPERCAR.

TMZ Sports spoke with Alex Vega from The Auto Firm, who tells us Olivera was so blown away by the Lykan HyperSport ... that he placed an order for the whip despite the HUGE price tag.

The car's ridiculous. It's the 1st of only 7 that'll be built ... has 780 HP, and goes 0 to 62 in 2.8 seconds!! If you're keeping score at home, it cost a whole million dollars more than Floyd's newest masterpiece.

The best part? Olivera isn't content keeping the car in factory condition. He's tasked Vega with tricking out the HyperSport's interior ... and adding a custom set of Avorza rims.

It's good to be rich!

Skip Bayless is ALL IN on Tim Tebow's baseball career ... saying what he saw at Timmy's private workout on Tuesday has him convinced the ex-QB's chances of playing pro ball are about 100%.

You might've heard (how could you not) Tim showed his stuff to 27 major league teams in L.A. Tuesday... and we got Skip leaving the workouts for his take on how Tebow fared.

Check out the clip -- Skip gives the performance a solid B ... but says that's more than good enough for us all to see Tim Tebow in a baseball uniform very soon ... and doesn't rule out a shot in the Majors.

BTW, Skip's new show debuts on FS1 next week ... buckle up, America.

TMZ Sports has obtained video from Tim Tebow's MLB workout at USC Tuesday morning ... showing the ex-QB sprinting, catching fly balls, showcasing his arm ... and BLASTING A HOME RUN!!

According FS1's Skip Bayless, there are reps from 27 pro teams at the workout.

Tebow took hacks against 2 righty pitchers ... launching a home run over the right center field fence, into the parking garage ... according to a source at the scene.

8:59 AM PT -- Law enforcement now confirms Jeffress was arrested for DWI.

We're told Jeffress was pulled over by Dallas PD at 2:24 AM for a routine traffic violation ... and during the stop, the officer says Jeffress appeared drunk.

"After detecting signs of intoxication, the individual was arrested for DWI and transported to Lew Sterrett Jail."

Texas Rangers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress was arrested in Dallas early Friday morning -- and according to local reports, he was popped for DWI.

According to police records, 28-year-old Jeffress was taken into custody at 5:13 AM and booked at a nearby police station.

So far, we've been unable to independently confirm the charge -- but WFAAs' Rebecca Lopez is citing police sources who say it's Driving While Intoxicated.

Jeffress is a key member of the Rangers' bullpen -- he last pitched on Tuesday.

Doc Gooden says he fell into a "massive depression" after his mother died back in July -- but says he's now feeling great thanks to church and the right medication.

The ex-Mets pitcher sat down with Brandon Steiner in the wake of Darryl Strawberry's allegations that he's a "complete junkie addict" whose life is in danger.

"[I'm] feeling great," Gooden said ... "And I think the things that happened in the last couple days is a test to really see where I was at."

Gooden says he went through a tough time in the wake of his mother's passing -- but says, "I seek help for that, dealing with depression with that, got some great medication, things started going up."

Doc Gooden says he's officially ending his public feud with Darryl Strawberry ... telling TMZ Sports, "I'm moving on with my life" after trading nasty barbs with his ex-Mets teammate.

Things went south between Doc and Darryl on Thursday -- when Doc no-showed at an event and Strawberry chalked it up to drugs.

"My fear is that -- and I know addiction -- and my fear is people that don’t change, they die," Strawberry told the crowd ... "I just hope the light comes on soon before it’s too late."

Gooden was PISSED -- and responded on Monday night by not only declaring he's been sober for 4 years ... but also accusing Strawberry of infidelity.

"Darryl has a drug rehab in his name, he is supposed to be a pastor. I call him Lucifer," Doc said.

But Gooden now tells TMZ Sports he's calling off his attack -- and officially ENDING his war on Strawberry.