Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: Baseball & Wrestling Crossovers

Wrestling and baseball fan Steve Cook crosses the streams once again, with his look at Top 5 Baseball & Wrestling Crossovers!

Published

6 years ago

October 13, 2019

Steve Cook

Wrestling and baseball fan Steve Cook crosses the streams once again, with his look at Top 5 Baseball & Wrestling Crossovers!

I have to admit that I was shocked I hadn’t done this previously.

We’re talking about two of the loves of my life. Baseball was my very first favorite sport as a young boy. Wrestling came along soon afterward, and I’ve loved both of these sports ever since. And if I’m being honest, I love them more that I love the beloved football or the basketball, or even the hockey that provides me with the one team I have that’s won something recently.

Wrestling doesn’t intersect with baseball as often as it does with other sports. But I’ve found five occasions where it did.

5. Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz

Baseball was having all sorts of problems in 1994. The players went on strike in August, the owners weren’t able to come to an agreement with them, and the World Series was cancelled for the first time in 90 years. The WWF always liked using real-life events in their storylines, and debuted a character called Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz, an evil baseball player that was on strike. He sounded like he rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers back in the day.

Remember when talking about money and extolling the virtues of “good businessmen” was supposed to indicate that somebody was a heel?

4. Larry Young

Ol’ Abe wasn’t the only person out of work & looking for something to do thanks to baseball labor issues. The players came back in April 1995, but by that point the umpires were locked out due to a dispute with owners over pay. Umpiring has never been the highest-paying profession, and guys were selling their houses just to survive.

Veteran umpire Larry Young decided that if Major League Baseball wasn’t going to use him, he could take his officiating skills to another sport. He was the referee during the Undertaker/King Kong Bundy match at WrestleMania XI. WM paydays weren’t what they are now back then, but Young wasn’t complaining about the extra paycheck. He returned to MLB once the lockout ended and became an umpire supervisor after retiring in 2007.

3. Dale Torborg

Dale’s father Jeff was known for his major league career with the Dodgers & Angels, then moved onto managing the Indians, White Sox, Mets, Expos & Marlins. Dale attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps, but when his career came to an end in the minor leagues he made the transition to wrestling. A meeting with Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage set him on a path to training with noted technical wrestlers Jim Neidhart & Warlord, and eventually to WCW where he would become the KISS Demon.

Tony Schiavone was more excited about KISS than anything else that happened in the last few years of WCW. Shockingly, the Demon was a flop & Torborg left pro wrestling afterwards to become a strength coach in baseball. He’s spent the last fifteen years with the Chicago White Sox in that role. He did re-appear in wrestling a handful of times in 2005-07 alongside White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski for some TNA appearances, even wrestling a match or two.

2. Sting’s baseball bat

We’ve seen countless pro wrestlers utilize baseball’s tool to score runs with as a weapon to create destruction. Nobody in the sport did it better than the Man Called Sting. When Sting remained silent from September 1996 until December 1997, his black bat did all the communication necessary. Whether Sting was pointing it at people or using it as a weapon, the bat became Sting’s tool to get his point across.

I don’t know if Steve Borden ever played baseball as a kid, but he sure became proficient with the bat during the last two decades of his wrestling career.

1. Randy Poffo, Minor League Baseball Player

A lot of the greatest wrestlers of all time spent their childhood years on the football field. The Macho Man spent his on the baseball diamond. Randy Poffo followed his baseball dreams to the A level of minor league baseball, spending four seasons in the farm systems of the St. Louis Cardinals & Cincinnati Reds. He started wrestling during the winter before his 1974 season with the Reds’ A-affiliate in Tampa, and after his season there he rightly decided that pro wrestling was the right path for him. 1974 wouldn’t mark the end of his involvement with baseball…

Sept. 21, 1989: Randy "Macho Man" Savage shows up in the Cincinnati Reds broadcast booth. Marty Brennaman puts him on the air. Players start flexing & saluting Savage mid-game.

Unamused, Reds owner Marge Schott had Savage thrown out of the booth. pic.twitter.com/vKuuwTOBp7

— Denny Burkholder (@DennyBurkholder) August 17, 2018

I can’t say I’m surprised that Marge Schott had no clue that the Macho Man used to be a player in the Reds farm system. I’m of the generation that watched the Reds on TV more than listened to them on the radio, but I remember listening to 700 WLW during rain delays for the Banana Phone, where Marty Brennaman would take calls from listeners to kill time. I remember hearing Randy from Sarasota call in a time or two, and I really don’t know whether that was Randy himself or somebody doing an impression, but it was really cool to hear either way.

Baseball & pro wrestling. My two favorite things!

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Related Topics:Abe Knuckleball Schwartz Baseball cabelleras vs cabelleras Featured Featured Big Kiss Demon Larry Young Randy Savage Steve Lombardi

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Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1