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MLB

Mahomes' Journey to NFL Stardom Includes DBAP

February 7, 2025

Flash back to the year 2012. USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series is being played at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, featuring a select group of talented high school prospects from around the country competing in a showcase. A young 16-year-old right-hander identified as “Pat Mahomes” entered the game to start the top

Flash back to the year 2012. USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series is being played at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, featuring a select group of talented high school prospects from around the country competing in a showcase. A young 16-year-old right-hander identified as “Pat Mahomes” entered the game to start the top of the third inning with his squad leading 1–0.

He would go on to toss two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and two walks while fanning two. The broadcast (the full version of which can be found here) makes mention of his fastball being clocked in the mid to upper 80s.

"Pat Mahomes" did not end up playing baseball professionally, but considering this weekend he will be playing for a three-peat and his fourth Super Bowl ring overall, things seemed to have worked out for him.

Mahomes' father pitched in the Major Leagues for 11 years, playing for six different teams. Young Patrick even was seen hanging out in the clubhouse during games.

A skilled multi-sport athlete, Patrick Mahomes II had a firm scholarship commitment to Texas Tech, which scared MLB clubs off. Despite being considered a top talent, he was not selected until the Detroit Tigers took a flier with a 37th round pick. He did not sign, and enrolled at Texas Tech.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Mahomes went on to star with the Red Raiders — though he would still pitch in college until his junior year — and be selected tenth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He went on to be named Rookie of the Year in 2017, Most Valuable Player in 2018 and 2022, and of course three Super Bowl titles. Not to mention he's now friends with Taylor Swift.

We're not saying the reason for all of his success stems from this outing at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, but we're also not going to say it didn't have an effect...