Baseball icon Alex Rodriguez recently reflected on a piece of career guidance he once offered to a very young Patrick Mahomes—advice that, in hindsight, did not stand the test of time. Appearing on an episode of *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*, Rodriguez delved into his years playing for the Texas Rangers, recalling his interactions with the future NFL superstar long before Mahomes would become one of football’s most recognizable figures.
Rodriguez explained that during his tenure in Texas, one of his teammates on the Rangers roster was Patrick Mahomes Sr., a former Major League Baseball pitcher who had also played for the New York Mets. Rodriguez described Mahomes Sr. as a warm, charismatic personality who instantly earned the affection of everyone around him. According to Rodriguez, the elder Mahomes possessed an exceptional pitching arm paired with a contagious enthusiasm for the game that endeared him to both teammates and fans alike.
During that time, Mahomes Sr. frequently brought his young son, Patrick, to the ballpark. The younger Mahomes, barely ten years old, would spend his days immersed in the environment of professional athletes—chasing fly balls during batting practice, collecting equipment, and spending long stretches in the batting cages, eager to absorb every lesson from the players he admired. Rodriguez vividly recalled how this bright‑eyed boy would approach him nearly every day, intently seeking words of wisdom about how to build a successful sports career. At that age, Mahomes showed exceptional skill and enthusiasm for both baseball and football, excelling at the dual pursuits with equal passion.
As Rodriguez recounted, on one of the final days they interacted, he decided to offer what he then believed to be meaningful career counsel. “I wanted to leave him with something lasting,” Rodriguez explained, describing how he called the boy over and lowered his voice in mock seriousness. When young Patrick looked up at him, eyes wide and filled with curiosity, Rodriguez told him, with great conviction, that baseball was the sport in which his future success and financial security would be assured. He advised the youngster that while football might be exciting and enjoyable, the smart and stable career path—the one where lasting wealth and longevity could be found—was unquestionably in baseball.
At the time, Rodriguez’s guidance made perfect sense. Baseball, long considered a sport that offers extended careers and lucrative guaranteed contracts, seemed the safer, more profitable route, especially compared to the physically demanding and injury‑prone world of professional football. Yet, as Rodriguez humorously admitted during his interview, that recommendation aged poorly. Looking back now, he expressed genuine relief and admiration that Mahomes did not heed his suggestion to prioritize baseball, joking, “I’m very glad he didn’t take my advice.”
Before Mahomes surged to NFL stardom, his athletic potential in baseball was far from trivial. His skill as a pitcher and all‑around player was evident early on—he participated in the 2010 Junior League World Series and was later drafted by the Detroit Tigers during his teenage years. Despite that opportunity, Mahomes opted not to pursue a professional baseball career, instead turning his focus fully toward football.
That decision would soon lead to extraordinary success. In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Mahomes with the tenth overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. What followed was one of the most impressive starts to a professional career in modern sports. Since joining the league, Mahomes has guided the Chiefs to multiple Super Bowl victories—three in total—and on each of those occasions, he earned the title of Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant and influential quarterbacks of his generation.
Mahomes’s accomplishments have extended beyond trophies and accolades. In 2020, he signed a historic ten‑year contract extension with the Chiefs valued at an astounding $450 million, a benchmark that underscored both his immense talent and his value to the franchise. Three years later, in 2023, his representation team, Equity Sports, confirmed that Mahomes restructured his agreement to secure approximately $210.6 million in earnings between 2023 and 2026. These figures not only demonstrate his prowess on the field but also his shrewdness in managing a career that now encompasses business, brand building, and ownership across multiple ventures.
Mahomes has also maintained deep ties to his hometown of Kansas City through various investment endeavors. He holds part ownership in Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals, demonstrating his lasting connection to the sport that could have been his career. Together with his wife, Brittany Mahomes, he also owns a share of the Kansas City Current, a team competing in the National Women’s Soccer League, further expanding the couple’s influence within professional athletics.
Beyond the stadiums, Mahomes has entered the hospitality world in partnership with his teammate and friend, tight end Travis Kelce. The two recently co‑founded *1587 Prime*, a sophisticated, high‑end steakhouse located in Kansas City that opened its doors just last month. This newest venture embodies their shared commitment to creating lasting roots and economic growth within their community.
When reporters from *Business Insider* reached out to representatives for both Rodriguez and Mahomes for further comment, neither responded immediately, as the inquiries were sent outside of normal working hours. Nevertheless, the story stands as a humorous yet insightful reminder that even the most confident advice from seasoned professionals can prove misleading when viewed through the lens of time. Mahomes’s choice to follow his passion rather than the conventional wisdom of financial practicality transformed what might have been a respectable baseball career into an extraordinary football legacy—an enduring lesson in trusting one’s instincts over even the most well‑meant counsel.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/alex-rodriguez-patrick-mahomes-baseball-football-money-mlb-nfl-2025-10
