“I didn’t want anyone getting hurt out there,” Valentine said, laughing. “I wanted to be certain that no one would ever get injured. I understand that players were away from their families a great deal and this was one way for the kids and dads to bond.”

While other kids apparently used to take part in the ritual, including the sons of John Franco, Todd Zeile and Mike Hampton, Mahomes was the youngest of the crew.

Bobby Valentine and Joe Torre go to throw out the first pitch at Citi Field.Jackie Brown / SplashNews.com

Young Patrick Mahomes, pictured with former Mets pitcher Mike Hampton in 2000.AP

“I remember thinking how is he not going to get killed out there,” Valentine recalled. “I thought there was no way he would be able to hold his own but he proved me wrong. He was quite the athlete.”

Former Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani recalled Mahomes being 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 over to Jay Payton to watch the kid. He had some arm.”

Pat Mahomes Sr. (right) pitched for the Mets in 1999 and 2000.Getty Images

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is back in the Super Bowl.

Now a two-time NFL MVP, Mahomes is gunning for his third championship in Super Bowl 2024 against the 49ers in Las Vegas on Sunday.