Pro wrestling was in a down period at the time, but it was clear that Savage’s star power hadn’t waned. It was a mob scene that day, as a throng of wrestling fans (I’m not good at estimating crowds – and it was 17 years ago, so my memory is a little fuzzy) gathered outside the supermarket for an opportunity to get an autograph and perhaps a photo with Savage.

As I noted in my tribute piece, the story I wrote about Savage for The Sun focused on his career as a minor-league baseball player. Savage – all decked out in full “Macho Man” regalia – spoke to me at length in his familiar, raspy voice about his days on the baseball diamond. It was obvious that he loved the game and relished his experience.

Here are a few excerpts from the article:

• During his stint in the minors, Savage -- a catcher and natural right-hander -- transformed himself into left-handed throwing first baseman in an attempt to prolong his career. Savage became ambidextrous after he suffered a separated right shoulder during a collision at home plate in 1973. The injury prompted his release from the Cardinals. "They gave up on me, but I signed with the Reds and had a pretty good year at Tampa, but the shoulder still wasn't real good," he said. "So for eight months, I worked real hard at throwing left-handed. It was incredibly tough, but I just kept working, throwing the ball 1,500 times against the wall a day. I then signed with the White Sox as a left-handed first baseman.”

• Much like his "Macho Man" persona in the WWF, Savage was an intense competitor on the diamond, [former teammate Tito] Landrum said. "Randy was a very aggressive player, and he was well-liked on the team because of that aggressiveness," Landrum said. "Unfortunately, much like the rest of us, he had a problem hitting the curve. But his intensity is real. I can remember him setting up a ring in the locker room and wrestling with the guys. He told us he was going to be a wrestler someday."

• There has been speculation that Savage wrestled under a mask during the off-season. “That might have happened or it might not have," said Savage, who wrestled for regional promotions before joining the internationally known WWF in 1985. "I probably should have played baseball under a mask, not just the catcher's mask."

• There are some obvious differences between baseball and pro wrestling. ... But Savage also sees some similarities -- like comparing the ability to hit a curveball to executing his patented flying elbow drop off the top rope. "When I'm doing that elbow off the top rope, if the person moves, I'm in trouble," he said. "When I'm hitting the ball and it drops off the table, I'm in trouble, too. In both cases, you can't hit a moving target."

• After 20 years in the wrestling business, Savage -- who splits his time between wrestling and broadcasting for the WWF -- said he has no regrets about the path his career has taken. "The baseball thing seemed like a negative when I got the pink slip, but actually it was the best break I ever had," he said. "Otherwise I wouldn't be styling and profiling like I am now. I’ve done the thing in the ring for a long time now, and I've done it very well. And at the risk of being conceited and egotistical, I was the best there ever was.”