Before chasing a historic Super Bowl three-peat, Patrick Mahomes was on a different field—one with bases instead of end zones. That’s right. The NFL’s biggest superstar actually comes from a baseball background. In fact, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014. But instead of carving out a career on the mound, the Chiefs QB chose a different path—one that led him to football immortality.

So, why did Mahomes choose touchdowns over fastballs?

Patrick Mahomes was born into baseball. The son of former Twins pitcher Pat Mahomes, he naturally started as a pitcher himself at the college level. But during his junior year, he faced a career-defining choice—keep throwing fastballs or take on the challenge of becoming an NFL quarterback. He chose the latter, stepping into what many call the most demanding position in sports.

A baseball career seemed inevitable for Mahomes. His father spent 11 years in the majors, and young Patrick grew up in locker rooms alongside legends like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. His signature sidearm throw is said to be influenced by Jeter himself. But in a shocking twist, despite being drafted by an MLB team, Mahomes broke from family tradition—trading the diamond for the gridiron and rewriting his legacy.

Mahomes got picked by the Tigers in the 2014 MLB draft, but only after his performance as a pitcher in the 2012 Breakthrough Series. The USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series 2012 offered a glimpse of young Mahomes throwing some high-velocity fastballs. “You can see the baseball in him,” was acknowledged by MLB sharing Mahomes’ older footage in 2012. He was about to start this professional baseball journey had he signed the offer from the Tigers. Instead, opted for the Texas Tech Raiders football team. So what made him look for football rather than baseball? Mahomes’ passion for taking the hard route and his love for football. “I just like how hard it is,” Mahomes said in 2016, pointing out his passion for football. 

What’s ahead for Showtime?

Mahomes has his future both in the NFL and MLB! Yes, he got a stake in both sports. In the NFL, Mahomes won the 2018 and 2022 MVPs and is a 3x Super Bowl winner. His last year’s performance for the Kansas City Chiefs is no less than spectacular, completing 30000 yards in just 103 games, breaking Matthew Stafford’s previous record of 109 games. This Super Bowl, however, his team was totally outclassed by the Philadelphia Eagles. And Mahomes admitted that he could not play to his standard. A lesson to learn.

Be that as it may, what has Mahomes got to do with MLB now?

Mahomes is a minor stakeholder of the Kansas City Royals in MLB. He is equally involved with the Royals this offseason. Remember his latest statement about Juan Soto’s deal with the Mets? So Mahomes is still connected with the baseball circuit, but just the Royals are not performing the same as the Chiefs. For reference, the Royals have ended 2024 with an 86-76 record. 

What do you think about Mahomes’ shift from the MLB to the NFL? Share your thoughts with us below.