PORT ST. LUCIE — The Tim Tebow era began with a whimper.

Tebow, in his first at-bat with the Mets, struck out looking to lead off the bottom of the third on a 92-mph fastball from Boston’s Rick Porcello on Wednesday. The final pitch of the four-pitch at-bat appeared to be low, but he was called out by home plate umpire Ryan Addition.

After the last strike, Tebow turned and said something to Addition before heading back to the dugout. In Tebow’s second at-bat, he grounded into a double play that plated a run. The third time up Tebow was hit by a pitch, but then was doubled off first base on a liner.

The former quarterback received a loud ovation from the sold-out crowd at First Data Field, which was filled with plenty of Red Sox fans — and very few people wearing #15 Tebow jerseys.

In fact, Tebow didn’t even wear 15, as he had in minor league camp and in batting practice Wednesday.

When he came to the plate against Porcello, Tebow had a “97” jersey with no name.

Tebow was the center of attention even before the game, as the visitors’ dugout was filled with Red Sox — including manager John Farrell.

“I watched him take a round or two of [batting practice],” Farrell said. “In BP, he shows plenty of power. I don’t know what it plays like at game speed.”

And while there remains plenty of doubt over Tebow’s attempt at a pro baseball career after more than a decade away from the sport, Farrell joined others in admiring the effort.

“It says he’s not afraid of failure and I think that’s great for any athlete,” Farrell said. “Athletes are all going to become vulnerable at some point. And for a guy who’s been so high-profile in another sport [to] say, ‘You know what? I’m willing to take a run at this,’ I think is a pretty cool thing.”

And he’s curious to see what happens.

“It’s hard for a guy that plays every year,” Farrell said. “When you have that kind of gap, it might be a window into the mindset that [says], ‘Anything is possible’ and why not run with it?”

On Wednesday, Tebow hit eighth as the DH in his first game action since the Arizona Fall League and the instructional league last year.

“We’ll see how it plays out, but when you look at the raw power in BP, it’s pretty evident,” Farrell said. “Not to mention, when you’re doing something else in another sport, it says you have some pretty good hand-eye coordination.”

That’s not all that could give Tebow a chance at success, according to the Boston manager.

“He’s been a guy that, just from the outside looking in, has been scrutinized as an athlete his entire professional life,” Farrell said. “Not a typical NFL quarterback, yet he finds his way into the highest spot in the NFL. He’s someone who obviously believes in himself.”