Maplewood Teen To Tim Tebow: How’s Life In The Bush Leagues? (VIDEO)

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — One of the best things about teenage sports journalist Eli Fishman… he’s got guts.

When the 13-year-old Maplewood resident and YouTube star got a chance to interview NFL-star turned minor league baseball prospect Tim Tebow, he didn’t hold back. Here’s what Fishman asked a grinning Tebow:

“Now you’re living what everyone calls the ‘minor league grind’... long bus rides, working with the team… How have you gotten used to living the minor league life?”

Want to hear Tebow’s answer? Check out the below clip, via Fishman’s YouTube channel.

Fishman, a seasoned journalist with a clip reel that surpasses many veteran sportswriters, has garnered more than 1,800 subscribers and 2,240,000 views on his YouTube channel with interviews like his Tebow masterpiece, which was executed during the “highlight of his summer,” a trip to Florida.

“I flew down on my own,” he told Patch. “I went to 11 games in six days and did 100 interviews. I interviewed some current/former major leaguers, Yankees 1,2 and 4th round draft picks along with 11 more Yankees 2017 draft picks, and top picks from a few other teams. I also got to interview many of the best prospects in the game, who will soon be at the MLB level. Some of them already MLB stars.”

• See related article: Maplewood Teen Has Interviewed Yankees, Mets Baseball Legends (VIDEOS)

The biggest interview of his trip? Tim Tebow.

“My favorite moment was probably the way we met,” Fishman said. “I always get different reactions from players when I ask my first question. The first time he noticed me was while he was answering a question, and he moved his body around to look at everyone in the media, and he hit my microphone accidentally. I was very, very embarrassed and he said ‘ohh sorry’ and then looked down and when he saw that I was a kid, his face absolutely lit up.”

Fishman recalled the huge smile that crossed Tebow’s face when he saw the press pass hanging around his neck.

"Hey buddy, nice to see you man,” he told Fishman.

“He still had a big smile on his face when he went back to finish his answer to the question he was in the middle of,” Fishman said. “He even lost his place a bit and didn't quite know where he was after he saw me. I thought that was a pretty good reaction.”

And what about the moment after his frank question about Tebow’s bush league experience?

“I had had sweat dripping down my neck in nervousness,” Fishman told Patch. “And then he responded ‘Eli, nice to meet you man, that was a really good job asking that question.’”

“That moment was amazing,” Fishman recalled. “In fact, I would say one of the best moments of my life.”

ELI ON LOCAL SPORTS PROSPECTS

Patch asked Fishman to tell us about one local baseball prospect in the Maplewood/Essex County area that we should keep our eye on. Here’s his reply.

“The guy to look for from Columbia High School is definitely Christian Pierre. I’m good friends with his little brother and his family. He is a talented, four-tool guy who can really put a show on the bases. An outfielder, Christian has an outfielder build, outfielder speed and an outfielder arm. He is really quick to the ball and has some real quick hands. He had a really good season last year, and got many big college offers. Last month he committed to St. Johns in Queens, a great school. They had a crazy year last year, with a 42-13 record. They also have one of the top coaches in the game, Ed Blankmeyer. What really caught my eye about Christian this summer is the stats he put up at this one showcase in June. The showcase was through Perfect Game, the top baseball development program in the country. Christian was featured on the Perfect Game's Instagram with his event record breaking 60-yard dash time. I really hope he does well this season, and I look forward to watching him play at St. Johns, who faces Seton Hall for at least one series a year.

“In Essex County, the guy to look out for is Nick Maldonado, a shortstop out of Seton Hall Prep. This will be his junior season in 2018. He is a kid who everyone in the area, in every town, if your affiliated with youth baseball, you know his name. As a freshman he committed to Vanderbilt, one of the (if not the) top baseball school in the country. He didn't quite live up to expectations last season, but I hope he does this season. I haven't met him or seen him play in person yet, but I hear he is really talented.”

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Screenshot: YouTube, Eli Fishman