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In a recent heartfelt segment aired on FOX NFL Sunday’s pregame show, two towering figures in sports, Derek Jeter and Patrick Mahomes, shared an intimate moment at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. Their conversation centered around a photo that vividly captures the intersection of their storied careers and Mahomes' youthful baseball aspirations.
The image in question, taken years ago, showcases a young Mahomes, probably no older than six, tentatively stepping onto a baseball field in his tiny uniform. Adjacent to this memory, a prime Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees can be seen delicately tracing the Rangers logo on young Mahomes’ cap, hinting at a deep-rooted bond to the sport.
Mahomes' Hidden Baseball Passion
Mahomes, the dynamic quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, known for his exceptional skill set including two Super Bowl titles and two NFL MVP awards, disclosed a lesser-known passion of his to Jeter.
“As a kid, my dream was to be a baseball player. Absolutely,” Mahomes confessed, highlighting a path that many might not associate with the NFL star. His baseball aspirations were so strong that even during his college years, Mahomes anticipated being drafted for baseball, a sentiment he relayed to Jeter, adding, “Being here, talking about this, it feels surreal”.
And indeed, Mahomes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Though the Tigers saw potential in him as a pitcher, Mahomes revealed his true desire was to play shortstop, a position he believes influenced his football throwing techniques profoundly.
These baseball dreams weren't mere childlike whims. They were a continuation of a family tradition. Patrick's father, Pat Mahomes Senior, was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The year Patrick was born, 1995, saw Senior Mahomes wrapping up his fourth season with the Twins.
In a touching coincidence, just a day after welcoming his son into the world, the senior Mahomes clinched a save with 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the Royals. His successful 11-year MLB career primarily featured him as a reliable middle reliever.