Information

When: 6:30 pm ET; San Francisco, California

Where To Watch: NBC

Odds (as of writing): Seattle -4.5, O/U: 45.5 (FanDuel)

Matchup

The Seattle Seahawks finished the regular season at 14-3 and came out of the loaded NFC West. In the playoffs, Seattle defeated the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams as the No. 1 seed. The Seahawks, led by an elite defense and the resurgent Sam Darnold at quarterback, as well as offensive player of the year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, are looking for the franchise’s second Super Bowl title. Their first since 2013. This is the first time they have played in the big game since 2014.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots have surprised everyone this season despite being the benefactor of an incredibly easy regular season schedule and path to the Super Bowl. Coach of the year Mike Vrabel and MVP runner-up Drake Maye led the Patriots to a 14-3 record in the regular season. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos in the playoffs. After a quick rebuild, New England returns back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018.

Important Statistics:

• Points per game
  • Patrios: 28.2 (2nd)
  • Seahawks: 28.4 (3rd)
• Points per game allowed
  • Seahawks: 17.2 (1st)
  • Patriots: 18.8 (4th)
• Strength of schedule (per PFF)
  • Seahawks: 11th
  • Patriots: 31st
• Leading Passers
  • Drake Maye (NE): 4,394 yards, 31 TDs, 8 INTs
  • Sam Darnold (SEA): 4,048 yards, 25 TDs, 14 INTs
• Leading Rushers
  • Kenneth Walker III: 221 carries, 1,027 yards, 5 TDs
  • Treyevon Henderson: 180 carries, 911 yards, 6 TDs
• Leading Recievers
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 119 receptions, 1,793 yards, 10 TDs
  • Stefon Diggs: 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, 4 TDs

You can find our picks here via this link.

The post MMO Super Bowl LX Thread: Seahawks vs. Patriots appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Super Bowl LX is happening Sunday, February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots are facing off in a rematch from 11 years ago. In case you forgot what happened in that Super Bowl, Tom Brady and the Patriots beat Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in a 28-24 victory.

The game is also a nightmare for the Jets fans. Not only are their arch-rival, the Patriots, in the Super Bowl, but their former QB, Sam Darnold, led the Seahawks to the big game.

The game will be broadcasted on NBC and streamed on Peacock, plus other services that carry NBC like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirectTV. It’ll also be available in Spanish on Telemundo. Kickoff’s happening shortly after 6:30 pm ET.

So, who are you betting on this Sunday? Here’s what we think.

Michael Mayer

I’ll take the Seahawks winning 24-17. Sam Darnold is the MVP with two TD passes. All I really know is Jets fans lose either way.

David Melendi

I’ll go with Seattle in an ugly game dominated by defense, 13-10. MVP is Leonard Williams.

Chris Bello

I have the Seahawks defeating the Patriots 17-10 in the Super Bowl. Sam Darnold wins the MVP and throws a couple TDs.

Matthew Tutrone

Seahawks over Patriots 21-10. Defense wins championships, and Seattle has the league’s best. Drake Maye and the Pats have a bright future, but I just don’t think they’ll be able to get much going in this matchup. The Seahawks having a veteran game manager like Sam Darnold and an elite WR in JSN should give them enough juice on offense to comfortably win this game.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

Personally, I don’t think this matchup is that close. The Seahawks posted the league’s best record in the toughest division. The Patriots seem to be a year ahead of schedule and have had a very easy path to the Super Bowl. I’m going with the Seahawks, 31-16, Jaxon Smith-Njigba MVP

Johnluke Chaparro

I’ll keep it simple: as a Jets fan, I hate the Pats. Seahawks over New England 27-17. MVP goes to my boy Sam Darnold, justifying my thoughts that they shouldn’t have traded him in the first place.

Allison Waxman

I’m good conscience, I will never pick the Pats. Seahawks over New England, 17-13. MVP? Old school Cooper Kupp comes out to play.

Rafael González

24-20 Seahawks. An elite defense finally catches up to Drake Maye, but Darnold still takes home the MVP, throwing for all 3 of Seattle’s scores.

Michelle Ioannou

Hi, it’s me, your resident New England Patriots fan. How nice it is to be back in the big game!! You know I have to go for the Pats, should I say 28-24 for old times sake?

James Villani

34-16, Seahawks. Patriots have been skating by all season taking advantage of what they were given in an AFC that had one of its worst seasons in years. Seahawks have been taking it to the teams they’re better than all season long. For MVP? An under-the-radar option: Kennth Walker III.

Did You Know?

• There will be a joint U.S. Air Force and Navy flyover during the pregame in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
• Bad Bunny is headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. He’s making history as the first performer to headline the show primarily in Spanish.
• Charlie Puth will be singing the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America The Beautiful” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
• This is the second time the San Francisco 49ers’ home stadium’s hosting the Super Bowl. The first time was back in 2014 for Super Bowl L when the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10.
• The Patriots will be wearing all-white uniforms, and it’s the first time they’ll wear this all-white jersey and pants combo in a Super Bowl.
• A 30-second commercial spot during the big game costs around $7 million-to-$8 million.
• The cheapest get-in price for the game is around $6,085, with the average ticket price at $9,649. The most expensive ticket for this game is $57,834.

The post MMO Super Bowl LX Staff Predictions appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Philadelphia Eagles enacted revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs, blowing them out 40-22 to win their franchise’s second Super Bowl and denying the NFL’s first-ever three-peat. With that, it is now baseball season! Pitchers and catchers report for the Mets on Wednesday, and they play their first Grapefruit League game on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Latest MLB News

The Dodgers are re-signing utilityman Enrique Hernández to a one-year deal, the 33-year-old announced on his social media channels. Hernández posted just a .654 OPS in the regular season but batted .294/.357/.451 with two homers and six RBIs in the playoffs to help the Dodgers win the World Series.

The Padres have agreed to a minor-league contract with first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets. The 28-year-old was non-tendered by the White Sox after batting .233/.303/.357 with 10 homers in 501 plate appearances.

Veteran right-hander Austin Voth has signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB. Voth had a solid season for the Mariners in 2024, posting a 3.69 ERA with 61 strikeouts against 18 walks in 61 innings.

Latest on MMO

James Villani profiles our 29th-ranked Mets prospect, right-hander Jack Wenninger.

On This Date in Mets History

1982: The Mets agree to a five-year contract with George Foster to complete a four-player trade with the Reds. The Mets have already agreed to send Alex Treviño, Greg Harris, and Jim Kern to Cincinnati. A former MVP, Foster batted .295/.373/.519 with 22 homers in 472 plate appearances in 1981.

Born on This Date: Sherman Jones (1935), Lenny Dykstra (1963), Bobby Jones (1970), Alberto Castillo (1970), Travis d’Arnaud (1989), Omar Narváez (1992), Jorge López (1993).

The post Morning Briefing: It’s Baseball Season! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Information

When: 6:30 pm ET

Where: Caesars Superdome; New Orleans, LA

Where To Watch: Fox; Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady

Odds (as of writing): Chiefs 1.5, o/u 48.5 (per FanDuel Sportsbook)

Matchup

The Chiefs were propelled by a 15-2 regular season record to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They then took down the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills to get to the big game. They will be going for the first three-peat run in league history (post-merger). This is their fifth Super Bowl appearance in the last six years. Winning Sunday’s game would bring them their fourth title over that time.

The Eagles are back to the big game after a very strong 14-3 regular season. Unlike the Chiefs, the Eagles were not the No. 1 seed, so, they had to play three games to make it to the Super Bowl. Across these contests they defeated the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders. This is their third Super Bowl appearance since 2017. They won their first post-merger championship in that 2017 contest, before losing to the Chiefs in 2022.

Important Statistics 

• Points per game
  • Eagles: 27.2
  • Chiefs: 22.6
• Points per game allowed
  • Eagles: 17.8
  • Chiefs: 19.2
• Strength of schedule (per PFF)
  • Chiefs: 13th
  • Eagles: 30th
• Leading Passer
  • Patrick Mahones: 3,928 yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs (KC)
  • Jalen Hurts: 2,903 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs (PHI)
• Leading Rusher
  • Saquan Barkley: 2,005 yards, 13 TDs (PHI)
  • Kareem Hunt: 728 yards, 7 TDs (KC)
• Leading Reciever
  • A.J. Brown: 67 catches, 1,079 yards, 7 TDs (PHI)
  • Travis Kelce: 97 receptions, 823 yards, 3 TDs (KC)

You can find our picks, here at MMO, via this link. Let us know who you think will win!

The post MMO Super Bowl LIX Thread: Chiefs vs. Eagles, 6:30 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

You know that Super Bowl LIX  is happening Sunday, February 9. The Kansas City Chiefs return to the big game – again, and have the chance to make history by being the first team in NFL history to have three Super Bowl wins in a row (since the merger). They’ll be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift during the big game? That’s a question on lots of people’s minds, especially with Kelce’s coy remark when asked by a reporter earlier this week. For the record, it’s not on my mind, but I had to mention it. Speaking of other things I need to mention, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the son of former Mets player Pat Mahomes, which you obviously already knew, and may be a reason you’re rooting for the Chiefs.

Mahomes isn’t the only Mets connection part of this year’s Super Bowl. Kevin Burkhardt, who we used to see at Mets games when he was with SNY, will be providing the play-by-play for the game. He’ll be joined by Tom Brady, who will be at the Super Bowl for the first time as an announcer. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be the sideline reporters.

The game is set to start at 6:30 PM EST. It’ll be broadcasted live on Fox, Fox Deportes, Relemundo, Tubi, the Fox Sports website and app, the NFL+ app, Hulu +Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV and Sling TV.

So, who are you betting on (figuratively or literally) this Sunday? Here’s what we think.

Mike Mayer

I’m picking the Eagles to win 27-21 with Barkley as the MVP with two TDs and over 200 yards rushing. This is mostly me trying to speak it into reality lol.

Johnluke Chaparro

As much as I loathe Kansas City, I cannot, in my right mind, root for Philadelphia. Kansas City over Philly 35-21. Super Bowl MVP: Travis Kelce, because, of course

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

I agree with Johnluke, I honestly wish both teams could lose. I’ll go with the Chiefs winning 30-24, Xavier Worthy MVP.

Andrew Steele-Davis

I think the Eagles are a better team than they were two years ago, and you can make a compelling argument that they have the more talented roster overall. However, Mahomes and the Chiefs were built for the biggest stage. They are chasing history and they always find a way to get it done.

I actually think this could morph into somewhat of a shootout, and I trust Mahomes way more than I do Jalen Hurts. Plus, I don’t think you can underestimate the Travis Kelce factor. When the lights are at their brightest, he knows how to deliver. KC for the historic three-peat. KC 39-27 Eagles, Mahomes MVP.

David Melendi

Chiefs always seem to find a way to win close games. KC 29-27, Mahomes MVP.

Patrick Glynn

Who in their right mind would ever bet against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? It’s a losing game. 31-30 Chiefs with Mahomes as the MVP.

Mojo Hill

Yeah, I’m not enthusiastic about either team, but I’ll go with the son of a Mets legend who’s proven himself on this stage already. Chiefs win 38-14, Patrick Mahomes MVP.

Chris Bello 

I’m picking the Chiefs to defeat the eagles 24-21 Sunday. The Eagles will definitely be ahead 21-17 and Patrick Mahomes will get a holding call to go his way on the last drive of the game. This was the Patriots way, now it’s the Chiefs way. But this time it’s being used for good to beat the city of Philadelphia.

Allison Waxman

Sigh, can both teams lose? Chiefs 21, Eagles 20. Eagles botch the two-point conversion. MVP: The refs. I mean Mahomes.

Michelle Ioannou

Why do I feel like I’m always being forced to pick between these two teams? I do think the Chiefs will make history and win it 27-21. MVP will go to Mahomes.

Christian De Block

As a Cowboys fan, I don’t have the ability or the willingness to pick the Eagles. Not to mention that it would be a mistake to pick against Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs win 27-23, with the MVP being Mahomes, of course.

Did You Know…

Kendrick Lamar is headlining the Halftime Show. He’s won 22 Grammys, which is the most for any rapper. SZA will join him on stage, and there will likely be other guests, too.

This isn’t Kendrick Lamar’s first time performing at the Super Bowl. He was part of 2022’s halftime show along with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Eminem.

Jon Batiste, who is a Louisiana native, will sing the national anthem.

Trombone Shorty and Christians inger Lauren Daigle will perform “America the Beautiful.”

Ledsisi will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

This year, the commercial hit a record of $8 million for 30 seconds of air time.

This is the seventh Super Bowl appearance for the Chiefs and the fifth for the Eagles. The last time the two met in the Super Bowl, Kansas City won.

83,000 fans are expected to be at the Big Game, Taylor Swift included.

This is the 11th time New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl.

After the Super Bowl, Fox will air the premiere of season 3 of “The Floor,” hosted by Rob Lowe.

The post MMO Super Bowl LIX Staff Predictions appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Important Information 

When: 6:30 pm ET

Where: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada

Where to Watch: CBS

Odds (as of writing): 49ers -1.5, o/u 47.5 (per FanDuel)

Chiefs vs. 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Matchup

The 58th installment of the Super Bowl will pit the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs finished with an 11-6 regular season record, down from their usual standards. However, this has not stopped them from making another run to the Super Bowl. They have ran through a gauntlet in the AFC, including the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and No. 1-seeded Baltimore Ravens, to get to this point. This is the third time in the last five years the Chiefs have made the Super Bowl. They are looking to win their second-straight and third overall during that span.

Meanwhile, the NFC’s one-seeded 49ers finished the regular season 12-5. To advance to the Super Bowl they only needed two wins, after clinching a first-round bye in the regular season. In the playoffs, they have defeated the Green Bay Packers and, most recently, squeaked by the Detroit Lions via a fierce second-half comeback. San Francisco is led by former Mr. Irrelevant draft pick Brock Purdy and Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers are looking for their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history and first since 1995.

This is a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, a game the Chiefs won 31-20 in 2020.

Important Statistics:

• Points per game:
  • 49ers: 3rd (28.9)
  • Chiefs: 15th (21.8)
• Points per game allowed:
  • Chiefs: 2nd (17.3)
  • 40ers: 3rd (17.5)
• Strength of schedule (per PFF):
  • Chiefs: 4th
  • Eagles: 23rd

You can find our picks, here at MMO, via this link. Let us know who you think will win!

The post MMO Super Bowl LVIII Thread: Chiefs vs. 49ers, 6:30 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans!

Derek Jeter announced on the Super Bowl that he will be joining the FOX Sports baseball team this season. The five-time World Series champion will join his former teammate Alex Rodríguez and fellow Hall of Famer David Ortiz in the FOX studio. Jeter headed a group that bought the Miami Marlins in 2017, but he left his post as the team’s CEO last February.

Latest Mets News

Patrick Mahomes II led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl LVII. The son of former Mets reliever Patrick Mahomes has now won two Super Bowls in the last four seasons. With the Super Bowl being over, Mets pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Port St. Lucie in just two days.

Latest MLB News

The Pirates have signed catcher Kevin Plawecki and left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith to minor league contracts with invites to spring training. The former Met Plawecki struggled in his time with the Red Sox and Rangers in 2022, hitting just .220/.286/.286 (61 OPS+) with one homer in 186 plate appearances. Smith meanwhile made 44 appearances for the D-Backs this past season, turning in a 4.11 ERA/5.57 FIP with 65 strikeouts against 39 walks in 70 innings.

Latest on MMO

Ricky Keeler ranks all the position players participating in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

On This Date in Mets History

2003: The Mets sign five-time All-Star David Cone on a minor league contract, bringing him out of retirement. Cone pitched for the Mets from 1987-92, going 80-48 in that time and finishing third in Cy Young voting in 1988. He last pitched in the majors for the Red Sox in 2001, tossing 135 2/3 innings with a 4.31 ERA. He is going to be competing for the fifth spot in the Mets’ rotation.

Birthdays: Howie Rose (69), Brian Rose (47), Mike Nickeas (40)

The post Morning Briefing: Derek Jeter Joins FOX Sports Team appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Chiefs vs. Eagles. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Officially, there are three more days until spring training begins. However, before baseball really starts to swing into full motion, tonight, arguably, the biggest sport’s event in the world takes place. That being Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Important Information

When: 6:30 P.M. ET

Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

How to Watch: FOX

Odds (as of writing): Eagles -1.5, o/u 50.5 (per FanDuel)

Matchup

The 57th installment of the Super Bowl will pit the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs finished the regular season 14-3 (losses to Indianapolis, Buffalo, and Cincinnati) and has defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars (27-20) and Cincinnati Bengals (23-20) in the playoffs thus far. Kansas City is led by MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive lineman Chris Jones.

Meanwhile, the NFC Eagles also finished the regular season 14-3 (losses to Washington, Dallas, and New Orleans). To advance to the Super Bowl they defeated the New York Giants (38-7) and the quarterback-less San Francisco 49ers (31-7). Philadelphia is led by dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts as well as a stout defense featuring James Bradberry, Darius Slay, and Hassan Reddick.

Important Statistics:

• Points per game:
  • Chiefs: 1st (29.2)
  • Eagles: 3rd (28.1)
• Points per game allowed:
  • Eagles: 8th (20.2)
  • Chiefs: 16th (21.7)
• Strength of schedule (per PFF):
  • Chiefs: 16th
  • Eagles: 31st

You can find our picks, here at MMO, via this link. Let us know who you think will win!

The post MMO Super Bowl LVII Thread: Chiefs vs. Eagles, 6:30 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Chiefs vs. Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Photo Credits: KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS

We’re talking football here on MMO today (don’t worry, baseball is still our #1, but it’s the Super Bowl!).

Super Bowl LVII is happening this weekend, Sunday February 12. The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs have won twice in 1970 and most recently in 2020. The Eagles have one championship under their belt from 2018.

You know I have to mention it – Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the son of former Mets player Pat Mahomes, making lots of Mets fans wanting the Chiefs to win (and well, because of our hatred for Philly, too).

There’s another Mets connection in this year’s Super Bowl, too. One of our favorite former on-field reporters and TV broadcasters, Kevin Burkhardt, is calling the game. It’ll be his first Super Bowl. Good luck, Kevin! Mets fans will be rooting for you.

The game is set to start at 6:30 PM on Fox. Oh, and if you’ve been living under a rock, the Mets will be running a Super Bowl ad. We’re sure you’ve already seen it, but be sure to be on the lookout for that!

So, who do you have?

MMO Staff Predictions:

Patrick Glynn: Chiefs 34, Eagles 31

Matt Mancuso: Chiefs 21, Eagles 17

Christian De Block: Chiefs 28, Eagles 27

Rich Sparago: Chiefs 27, Eagles 14

Andrew Steele-Davis: Chiefs 28, Eagles 21

Michelle Ioannou: Chiefs 31, Eagles 27

Marshall Field: Eagles 28, Chiefs 17

John Sheridan: Eagles 22, Chiefs 18

Joe D.: Eagles 38, Chiefs 13

Ricky Keller: Eagles 30, Chiefs 27

Did You Know…

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce are the first brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl.

Andy Reid is older than Nick Sirianni by 23 years. This is the second-largest coaching age gap in Super Bowl history. The first? Bill Belichick and Sean McVay in Super Bowl LIII – there were 33 years between them.

The National Anthem will be sung by Chris Stapleton. Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful” and Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

There will be a Navy flyover during the National Anthem with female aviators. This is to celebrate 50 years of women flying in the Navy.

Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl Halftime show. She’s teased that she may bring special guests to perform with her, but hasn’t confirmed who.

It should be a great game!

The post MMO Super Bowl LVII Staff Predictions appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

It is safe to assume that the vast majority of New York Mets fans will be rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.

And not just because it is a cardinal sin for any born-and-bred New Yorker to cheer for any Philadelphia sports team. No, Mets fans will be all in on Kansas City during the big game because one of their own will be playing in it.

We’re talking about Patrick Mahomes, of course.

For those unaware of the connection, you may be wondering what we’re talking about. You see, Mahomes’ personal relationship with the New York Mets runs deep. Very deep.

It started back in 1999 when, as a four-year-old, Mahomes would accompany his dad, Pat Mahomes Sr., to the ballpark in order to shag balls in the outfield and play catch with some notable Mets. It was hours and hours spent at Shea Stadium that clearly first sparked Mahomes’ passion for sports, and perhaps laid the foundations for the impressive career he has gone on to carve out for himself.

“I just remember him being so excited to go to the yard every day,” Mahomes Sr. told The New York Post in an interview. “I’d have to hold him back just so I could get in the car before we left because he was ready to get out there. And he’d get there to the clubhouse, get his uniform on, and he’d be one of the first guys out on the field, and of course I had to play catch and all that.”

Pat Mahomes Sr. enjoyed a solid career in the bigs, including two years with the Mets where he posted a 4.74 ERA as a trusted long reliever. It isn’t unfair to state, however, that his son has already scaled new heights and then some. Mahomes is one of the best players in the NFL and if he wins on Sunday, he will have two Super Bowl rings and two league MVP awards at just 27-years-old.

Mahomes’ brilliance comes down to his ability to do things with the pigskin that most other football players could only dream of doing, let alone mere mortals. His arm strength is something to behold, as is his superhero, highlight-reel, game-changing throws that never fails to leave the jaw on the ground. And, for those who watched Mahomes toss the baseball around as a kid, watching him dominate the NFL now hasn’t come as a surprise.

“He would throw line drives to the infield,” Mike Hampton told Mets PR guru Jay Horwitz. “I don’t want to tell you that I predicted what Patrick would turn into, but I am really not shocked. You could see the young man had talent. I am so proud of what he has done. He is the best of the best now and I am proud to say I was there when it started.”

Mahomes became close with a host of Mets players and he certainly made an impression on then manager Bobby Valentine, who will be cheering on the younger Mahomes on Sunday. And, according to Valentine, all that time spent in a major league clubhouse with the Mets certainly hasn’t hurt Mahomes in navigating life as a high-profile professional athlete.

“Patrick was always around the locker room,” Valentine told Horwitz. “There is no doubt in my mind that growing up in a Major League clubhouse has made things so much easier for him when he became a pro.”

We’re all aware of how it works by now. Athletes as talented as Mahomes are born with that supernatural ability, and they show off those majestic skills from a young age. That was the case for Mahomes who displayed a rare gift for playing sports in his very first practice as a shortstop, while he would also be mentored by Alex Rodriguez after Mahomes Sr. signed for the Texas Rangers in 2001.

“His first practice he was playing shortstop, he threw the ball across the diamond and hit the first baseman right between the eyes, broke his glasses,” Mahomes Sr. said on ‘The Show’ – a New York Post baseball podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. “They told him to start throwing the ball three-quarters of the way and then it rolled there. But I wouldn’t let him do that, so I just told ’em just to move him to first base, so he became a big fan of all first basemen.

Patrick Mahomes showing up to Arrowhead in a Mets jersey — a salute to his father, Pat, who played Major League Baseball from 1992 to 2003. His career included a season with the Mets in 1999. pic.twitter.com/lYyuGzRamf

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) October 21, 2018

“A-Rod would take him down after shagging balls and stuff, he’d take him down to the cages and get him on a tee and soft toss to him and then he would break it down with him, take him into the film room and show him what he was doing wrong and show him what he was doing right, and he loved that.”

It is clear that Mahomes’ early experiences with the Mets helped shape him into the all-conquering, superstar QB that he has become. It is also crystal clear that Mahomes cherishes those memories given that he regularly wears a Mets jersey at press conferences and arriving at games. Complete with his dad’s No. 23 on the back and front. The Mets played a small role in Mahomes’ transformation into one of the most talented quarterbacks we’ve ever seen grace the NFL. Now, as he goes in search of his second Super Bowl championship, he’ll have the whole of Mets land behind him and there’s no doubt that those early days with his dad in the Mets clubhouse will have him prepared for one of the biggest games of his life.

“That comes from being in the clubhouse, being at the World Series with me, seeing 60,000 people in the stands, and want to perform in front of people,” Mahomes Sr. told The Post. “I don’t think the stage really gets too big for him.”

Best of luck, Pat!

The post Mahomes, Mets, And The Ties That Bind appeared first on Metsmerized Online.