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Autopsy Results are in for Randy Poffo (Macho Man Savage), Former Baseball Player and WWE Wrestler
Saturday July 2, 2011
MLB reports: Last month we profiled former WWE superstar Randy Macho Man Savage, who passed away May 20, 2011. At the time of the article, the cause of his death was unknown. We took the time in the interim to look at the man behind the “Macho Madness”, a wrestling champion and icon in the industry. A little known fact was that Randy Savage, born Randy Poffo, actually came up originally as a baseball player. To learn more about Randy Poffo the baseball player, click here to view our past feature. Today we learn about the cause of death behind the passing of Randy “Macho Man” Savage.
What we knew until recently was that Randy Savage crashed his Jeep Wrangler into a tree near Tampa, Florida. Unfortunately, the first reaction for many was to suspect drugs and/or alcohol as the cause for the accident. A natural reaction, given that our society today that tends to be very jaded and suspect the worst of many of its heroes. While reports indicate that Randy Savage had prescription medications in his system, it does not appear that they were the cause for his accident. Both him and his wife were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash and Randy’s wife Barbara Lynn only suffered minor injuries. The autopsy has revealed that Randy Savage suffered from an enlarged heart and artery blockage, which likely caused him to crash the vehicle. The medical condition likely caused Macho Man to lose consciousness right before the accident and drive the vehicle into a tree. That was the indication previously in a statement at the time of the incident from brother Lanny Poffo, also a former wrestler. The family did not necessarily know about his condition but suspected that Macho Man had a heart attack right before the accident. In this case, the family’s instincts were correct.
While it is very sad that Randy (Savage) Poffo was taken from this earth much to early, it is somewhat of a relief to at least learn the cause behind his unfortunate passing. With rumors always circulating in this age of the internet, the Poffo family can be relieved that Randy’s good name can be left intact. It is likely that Randy did not even know about his medical condition, as the prescription pills he was taking were apparently unrelated to the heart condition. Had he been diagnosed early, perhaps this misfortune could have been averted. In the meantime, I will continue to remember both Randy “Macho Man” Savage, the wrestler, as well as Randy Poffo, the baseball player. As discussed in his earlier feature, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Poffo had stayed with baseball instead of wrestling. Even had he not injured his shoulder, Poffo statistically likely would not have remained in the sport. His bat did not seem to be there and while there was always the chance he could have come around, Randy Poffo, the MLB player, was likely never going to materialize. Yet I will always think of what could have been if the Macho Man had never come to be, if baseball had worked out for him. But given the impact that Randy had on the wrestling industry and society as a whole by adopting the “Macho Man” persona, he definitely made the right choice. Rest in peace Randy Poffo Savage. You will be missed and remembered as a two-sport athlete/entertainer. Thank you for all the good times and MACHOOOOO MADNESS!
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R.I.P. Macho Man Randy Savage: Death of a Wrestler and Baseball Player
Friday May 20, 2011
MLB reports: Here on the reports we try to keep you, the baseball fan, up to date on all the latest news, reports and analysis from around the baseball universe. Usually on Fridays you will find our weekly Friday Faceoff segment, where two players go head to head in a statistical matchup to determine the weekly victor. This week’s segment has taken a back to seat to the news today that former WWE wrestler “Macho Man” Randy Savage has passed at the age of 58. We will go into the story as available to us from TMZ on Randy’s passing for the update. You will also learn the reason behind this segment, as besides being a world champion wrestler, Randy Savage aka Randy Poffo, was a baseball player in his day. You will not often find a wrestling article on the MLB reports, but baseball and wrestling is not a combination that is found every day.
A car accident claimed the life of Randy Savage today in Tampa, Florida. Driving in his 2009 Jeep Wrangler, Savage apparently lost control of the jeep and struck a tree in a single-car accident. According to Savage’s brother, Lanny Poffo, the Macho Man had a heart attack while behind the wheel of his vehicle. A second generation wrestler, with famed wrestler Angelo Poffo as his father, Savage’s brother Lanny Poffo was a wrestler as well under the stage names “Leaping Lanny Poffo” and “The Genius”.
A little known fact about the now deceased Randy Savage was that prior to becoming a wrestler, he actually was a baseball player! A switch-hitter, Savage was born Randy Poffo before changing his name as part of his wrestling persona. Randy Poffo was drafted and came up with the Cardinals organization in 1971 after playing college ball with Southern Illinois University. Poffo played as well in the Reds and White Sox organizations prior to retiring from baseball in 1974. An outfielder, an injured right shoulder and a weak offensive bat was the end of Poffo’s baseball career. A career .232 hitter in parts of four minor league seasons, Poffo also had 16 career home runs. Imagine if Poffo the baseball player had stayed healthy and gone on to the major leagues. The Macho Man might have never come to be. But baseball did not prove to be in the cards and Poffo ended up discovering that in life, as one door closes, another one opens. Poffo/Savage started wrestling in 1973 during the baseball offseason and upon retirement, went on to become a wrestler full time-until retiring from the ring in 2005.
Randy Savage/Poffo is survived by his wife Lynn, whom he married just over a year ago on May 10, 2010. The Macho Man will forever be remembered for his wrestling exploits and “heel” image as a championship caliber wrestler. But before he was dropping elbows from the top rope and selling slim jims, let’s remember today as well Randy Poffo: the baseball player. Very few athletes are known to have made the transition from the diamond to the squared circle and Randy Poffo/Savage was one of them. You can find Randy Poffo’s lifetime baseball statistics courtesy of baseball reference by clicking here. As an 80’s and 90’s wrestling legend, Randy Savage was taken from this world much too soon. It was a pleasure watching him grapple as a youngster and for those who admired and worshipped the Macho Man, always remember that your hero got his sports entertainment start playing America’s favorite pastime and the greatest sport in the world: baseball.
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