When it comes to Bobby Witt Jr. and Patrick Mahomes, game recognizes (and admires) game

Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.’s appreciation of Patrick Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl in four years and is in line for his second NFL MVP trophy, runs deeper than awards and numbers.

Witt marvels at how Mahomes has arrived at his success.

“It’s motivation for sure,” Witt said during the Royals Rally at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. “I kind of see if from behind, all the work he puts in in the off-season and during the season. All the energy he brings. It’s all real.”

The connections are strong between the Chiefs quarterback and Royals shortstop. They’re Texans who have worked with the same trainer, Bobby Stroupe.

Their fathers, Pat Mahomes and Bobby Witt, are former major-league pitchers. Baseball was Patrick Mahomes’ first sports love, and he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers out of high school.

Witt Jr. made his major-league debut last season, leading the Royals in RBIs, doubles and triples. He was honored as the team’s player of the year.

Another highlight: When the Royals’ season ended, Witt was the drum honoree at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, banging the drum before a Monday night Chiefs game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Being down there on the sidelines, seeing him talk to his wife (Brittany), and then it’s, ‘Let’s go, it’s show time,’ it’s cool to watch it all,” Witt said. “None of that stuff is fake. It’s who he is. It’s high energy. He brings it all to the table and it shows in what he’s doing.”

It’s not just Mahomes to Witt. He’s become a Chiefs fan over the past few years, “because of what the team has done, and how great that culture is, what Coach (Andy) Reid brings to it,” he said.

Although spring training in Surprise doesn’t officially start for the Royals until three days after the Chiefs meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, the team will be in area.

Several Royals players, including Witt, say they’re in the market for tickets. Maybe their Chiefs connection can help.

In 2020, Mahomes joined the Royals’ ownership group as a minority stakeholder.