An Unheeded Warning from a Baseball Legend

Alex Rodriguez recently shared this story on television. He recalled meeting a young Patrick Mahomes. This was when Mahomes’ father, Pat, was Rodriguez’s teammate. According to Rodriguez, the younger Mahomes was always around the batting cage.

He was a respectful kid with bright blue eyes. Rodriguez said Mahomes asked him for advice for a month. The Hall of Famer decided to give him some serious guidance. He told the boy that baseball was where the real money was. He insisted football was just for fun. Rodriguez now laughs about the entire exchange. He is very glad Mahomes ignored his suggestion.

From the Diamond to the Gridiron

Patrick Mahomes ultimately chose a different path. He became a superstar quarterback instead of a shortstop. Mahomes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He has since led his team to multiple Super Bowl victories. His success on the field has translated into massive earnings.

Forbes reports Mahones earned $78 million in 2025. This comes from his NFL salary and endorsement deals. His father once thought he would be a baseball player. Mahomes Sr. told the Los Angeles Times his son was an unbelievable shortstop. He could also throw a baseball 97 miles per hour.

The skills from other sports clearly helped his football career. His no-look passes and unique arm angles are a testament to that. The choice to pursue football clearly worked out for the best. Patrick Mahomes is now one of the highest-paid and most successful athletes in the world, proving that sometimes the best advice is the advice you don’t take.

Dropping this nugget your way

What advice did Alex Rodriguez give Patrick Mahomes?

Alex Rodriguez advised a young Patrick Mahomes to pursue a career in baseball. He told him that was where the real money was. He suggested football should just be a fun hobby.

Was Patrick Mahomes good at baseball?

Yes, Patrick Mahomes was a talented baseball player. His father said he was an unbelievable shortstop and a powerful hitter. He also had a powerful pitching arm, throwing 97 mph.

How much does Patrick Mahomes earn?

Patrick Mahomes is one of the highest-paid athletes. According to Forbes, he earned $78 million in 2025. This income comes from his NFL contract and numerous endorsements.

How did baseball and basketball influence Mahomes’ football style?

His multi-sport background greatly influenced his quarterback play. He uses jump passes and no-look passes from basketball. He also uses different arm angles learned from baseball.

Why did Alex Rodriguez give Mahomes that advice?

Rodriguez was a baseball superstar and teammate of Mahomes’ father. He genuinely believed baseball offered a more lucrative and stable career path. He was speaking from his own immense success in the sport.