Johnny Pac: A Former American League baseball player for the Kansas City Omaha/Royals. Born and raised in Kansas City Mo. Money was extremely tight and Johnny didn’t have the opportunity to go buy a baseball when he wanted one. Living in the area that was known for crime and drugs he decided at a very young age he was not going to let the people around him influence his life. He started playing baseball at the age of five and was gifted even at that age(as told by his former coaches) By the time he was seventeen he was throwing 95 MPH! A left handed pitcher with that kind of velocity was unheard of especially at his age. He went on to complete high school and was recruited to Iowa to play ball, within 6 months he was invited to go to Omaha for tryouts.needless to say he made the team.(little to Johnny’s knowledge he was being scouted at the age of fifteen) per his coaches.
As time went on he developed into not just a fastball pitcher but had all if not more skills and attributes as any 25 year old right handed pitcher during this time. According to some scouts he had such great control and made it seem effortless.
After a career ending injury and a long rehab was not going to be what it took to get back on the field, he had lost some velocity on the ball and arm motion, he was never picked up again.
This led to some dark times with depression, he did not have a plan B. According to interviews with former players and coaches he never turned to any self medicating, no drugs nor alcohol.
Thankfully with some help from his childhood idol and an unexpected trip to Arrowhead Stadium, a life changing experience helped him out of the darkness of depression as his dream of playing baseball ended on a single pitch. This trip to Arrowhead was the start of a life changing career path.
Meeting the entire Chiefs roster including Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, JJ Birden, Joe Montana, the list goes on. While sitting in the locker room with all of the best players on the roster, JJ and Derrick listened to someone tell his story of injury, JJ Birden gave him some sound advice, never let your injury define you, you define the injury! Derrick and JJ spent some time speaking with him and by the time they knew it game time was there, but during that conversation Johnny and Derrick realized they lived within a few homes of each other, that became a great friendship that lasted until the day Derrick passed away. After that game Johnny was asked to host some sports talk radio while building a business in classic car restoration. After a lot of hard work and soul searching things have become more of a dream than he ever expected. The friendship between Johnny and Derrick was unparalleled, he not only changed the outcome of his life but in reality they were brothers.
Johnny will always be grateful to DT and JJ for everything they had done to help him along his path to success after sports. Now 51, he is the owner of a very successful business in Nevada, organized an outreach program for disabled veterans, he’s also involved with the greatest football team in the league (the Kansas City Chiefs) but also is contributing in building the brand Chiefs Focus. A branding and development team made up of 4 individuals who have a passion for the NFL and the Chiefs.
Although Johnny couldn’t make it after the injury he still loves the game of baseball and misses all the players he met along the way. Johnny was a Pitcher but his biggest influence as a child was Frank White, when asked about his career and what made him love the game he always has the story of meeting Frank at Royals Stadium at the age of 11. He walked from the nose bleed section at Royals Stadium down behind the dugout, (the Royals we’re playing the Rangers) as he stood there waiting to hopefully see his idol a head popped out from around the dugout and a voice said, can I help you young man? It was Frank White. Johnny was stunned and at a loss for words but uttered, I was hoping to get a ball signed, White said give me a minute and I’ll do you one better, he came back with a broken baseball bat with every signature from the Royals in 1981, (bat was Broken by George Brett) Johnny said thank you, Frank looking confused said, you don’t seem very happy, Johnny replied, well sir I was hoping to get a ball signed by just you, Frank said me, Why me? Johnny replied, well you’re my favorite player. Frank was about to go out for an inning change but told him to wait there. As time went on the Royals finally came back in, Johnny was getting discouraged after what seemed like an eternity and started back up the stairs to his seat, about that time a voice said hey kid where you going? It was Frank, he not only gave him a ball signed by himself but the entire Rangers team and a ball signed individually by Nolan Ryan. Johnny was almost in tears.
Fast forward 8 years as Johnny was brought up to the minor league team Frank was standing there at the facility, he looked at Johnny and said, I remember you, Johnny replied you do? Frank replied yes you were the young man who wanted a ball signed by me years ago, I knew I’d see you again. Johnny asked, how did you know if you don’t mind me asking, frank stated, you had the look in your eyes that told me you would make it. Although Johnny was injured before making his debut with the major league team he will forever remember the influence of Frank and many others. In Johnny’s words: The love of sports and the discipline it instilled in me is key to my success as a husband, father in business and in life, without sports I don’t know where I would be, life gives you two paths, it’s up to you which path to take.