A young Patrick Mahomes was running around the outfield at Shea Stadium hitting fly balls during batting practice, which worried former Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
Mahomes’ father, Pat Mahomes Sr., pitched for the Mets in 1999 and 2000 during his 11-year MLB career.
Valentine spoke with longtime Mets publicist Jay Horwitz. The current Chiefs star quarterback spoke about his memories of running around the field as a child.
“I didn’t want anyone to get hurt,” Valentine said with a laugh. “We wanted to make sure no one got hurt. The players had been away from their families quite a bit, so I understand this was one way for the kids to bond with their fathers.”
Mahomes was the youngest member of the crew, although other children appeared to have participated in the ceremony, including John Franco, Todd Thele and Mike Hampton’s son.
“I remember thinking, how can he not get killed there?” Valentine recalled. “I thought there was no way he could carry himself, but he proved me wrong. He was quite an athlete.”
Former Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani recalled Mahomes as an electric athlete even back then.
“He was a shagger,” Agbayani said in an interview with Horwitz. “He could really go get the ball…I remember yelling at Jay Payton to watch that kid. He had an arm.”
Now, two-time NFL MVP Mahomes is aiming for his third championship in the 2024 Super Bowl against the 49ers on Sunday in Las Vegas.
