Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' throwing arm is a marvel; it's capable of high-velocity long throws and on-the-money deliveries from odd angles. If his throwing motion looks like that of a baseball player at times, well, it's because he was a baseball player and he comes from a baseball family.
Mahomes' father, Pat, pitched more than two decades in professional ball, with half of those years in MLB. Here are five things to know about Dad's career on the diamond:
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Patrick Mahomes' dad got to the majors young
The elder Mahomes made his MLB debut at 21 years, 247 days on April 12, 1992, for the reigning world champion Minnesota Twins against the Texas Rangers at the Metrodome. He allowed a three-run homer to Juan Gonzalez in the first inning and then shut out the Rangers over the next five frames before leaving the game. He wound up with a no-decision after the Twins rallied. Unfortunately for Mahomes, that was one of his better games in his rookie season. He was sent to Triple-A in early June and recalled in September. He finished with a 5.04 ERA in 14 games.
He kept his career going in Japan
Mahomes failed to establish himself with the Twins and then the Red Sox, who had acquired him in a trade in 1996. Walks and home runs were constant issues. After Boston released him in June 1997, he signed with the Yokohama Bay Stars, where he spent a year and a half. He worked with several pitchers who later came to North America and had success in the majors: Kazuhiro Sasaki, Takashi Saito and Tomo Ohka. Mahomes' numbers in Japan weren't any better than they were in the States, however.
He found success in New York
The Mets signed him as a free agent in December 1998 after his Japan stint, and he went on to have a career year with them in 1999 while working out of the bullpen. Mahomes won all eight of his decisions and posted a 3.68 ERA, which was excellent for the steroid era (121 ERA+). He made his only career postseason appearances that year: one game in the NLDS and three games in the NLCS, which the Mets lost. He was also part of the 2000 Mets team that lost to the Yankees in the World Series, but he did not make the postseason roster. Patrick was 5 during that Subway Series, but he was already a fixture in the Mets' clubhouse.
The Mets played up the family connection when they congratulated the younger Mahomes and the Chiefs after their victory in the AFC championship game:
Congrats to @PatrickMahomes and the @Chiefs. #SuperBowlLIV #LGM pic.twitter.com/kgz4cA0taO
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 19, 2020
He was a bit player in an infamous MLB scene
Mahomes was on the mound when Mets manager Bobby Valentine was ejected in the 12th inning of a 1999 game against the Blue Jays at Shea Stadium. Valentine returned to the Mets' dugout an inning later wearing a fake mustache and sunglasses, an image that endures on the internet.
He kept pitching and pitching and pitching . . .
Mahomes' last MLB appearance was in 2003 with the Pirates. He hung on for six more years in the minors/independent leagues before making his final pro appearance in the independent American Association in 2009, at age 38.
Valentine spoke highly of Mahomes in an article for ESPN.
"He could throw every day, he was a great athlete for a pitcher, and a joy to have on the team. His fastball was pretty straight and it got caught a couple of times, but you always wanted someone on the mound who wasn't afraid. And Pat was never afraid in big games."
On Feb. 2, Dad will watch his MVP son play in the biggest game of his chosen sport.
