10 Wrestlers Who Played Professional Sports

Before he was the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, one of the most charismatic and gifted in-ring performers of all-time, he was Randy Poffo, a kid trying to make it in Major League Baseball. 

As the son of wrestler Angelo Poffo, Savage already had the genes for athletic success but, rather than trying to become a wrestler, Savage's first love was baseball. A top baseball player in high school, Savage was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals organization out of high school and joined their minor league system as an outfielder.

Playing for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals, Savage was well-known for his hard work and tenacious attitude towards training. He worked constantly to strengthen his body as well as improve his swing technique. Savage was such a gifted athlete that, when he injured his right shoulder in a play at home plate, he taught himself to throw left handed.

Savage finished his baseball career with the Tampa Tarpoons, batting .254 with 16 home runs and 66 RBIs in 289 games in his minor league career. As his brother, Lanny "The Genius" Poffo stated on the Randy Savage DVD, Randy was heartbroken when his baseball career ended. He decided to move on from the sport he loved and refused to discuss his baseball career anymore.

He then took every one of his baseball bats, broke them against a tree, and set about training to become the "Macho Man" Randy Savage.