Pro wrestling has long been a platform for athletes who initially pursued careers in other sports. For instance, the Undertaker and Kevin Nash both played college basketball, while Rome governor and Bill Goldberg were football players. Before adopting his iconic "Macho Man" persona with a beard in WWE, Randy Savage was a baseball player. He played in the minor league systems for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds but never made it to the major leagues. Instead, he transitioned to wrestling and became one of the most legendary figures in the sport’s history.
Randy Savage, born Randy Poffo in Columbus, Ohio, in 1952, showed great promise in baseball during his high school years in Illinois. After graduating in 1970, he was signed as a catcher by the St. Louis Cardinals and played in the Gulf Coast and Western Carolina Leagues. By 1974, at age 21, Savage joined the Cincinnati Reds and played in the Florida State League. Photos of him in baseball gear, without his famous beard, show a visage almost unrecognizable to wrestling fans.
Despite his efforts, Savage never advanced beyond the minor leagues. His career spanned 289 games over four years, with a batting average of .254, 221 hits, and 16 home runs. His most active season was in 1974 with the Tampa Tarpons, where he played 131 games but had a modest .232 batting average.
Reflecting on his baseball days, Savage admitted his desire to surpass Babe Ruth but acknowledged he wasn’t destined for the major leagues. During training with the Chicago White Sox, he was abruptly released, leading to a fiery outburst where he smashed a tree with a bat. That moment marked the end of his baseball ambitions and the beginning of his wrestling career. Savage used the same intense attitude in wrestling, which earned him global fame as one of the greatest wrestlers ever. Following his death in 2011, even the MLB recognized his unique journey from baseball hopeful to wrestling legend, underscoring that wrestling truly brought out the best in Randy Savage.
Fan Take: Randy Savage’s journey from minor league baseball to wrestling superstardom reminds WWE fans of the diverse backgrounds and relentless determination that shape wrestling legends. His story highlights how perseverance and passion can transform setbacks into opportunities, inspiring future athletes who may not find success in their first chosen path.
