Wrestling champ Honky Tonk Man visits Brewers, puts Carlos Gomez in a headlock
Wrestling champ Honky Tonk Man visits Brewers
Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez found himself seeking a tag-out when Greatest Intercontinental Champion of All Time visited Maryvale Baseball Park on Saturday.
.@WWE Legend @OfficialHTM visits the #CactusCrew prior to today's game. Honky Tonk Man vs @C_Gomez27 at Wrestlemania? pic.twitter.com/SpIXoIAn8V
- Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 14, 2015
The Honky Tonk Man, a.k.a. Roy Wayne Farris, a.k.a. professional wrestling's longest-tenured champ, made his semi-annual visit to Brewers camp on Saturday and regaled players and the press corps alike with stories of his days in the ring. Farris is a friend of Brewers public relations director Mike Vassallo, a huge wrestling fan who met Farris years ago.
The semi-annual visit from @OfficialHTM takes place tomorrow in Maryvale, a tradition unlike any other. #Brewers pic.twitter.com/4fiCkQKECH
- Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) March 14, 2015
.@C_Gomez27 (right) and @WWE Legend @OfficialHTM square off in the #Brewers clubhouse for the Intercontinental title! pic.twitter.com/OhfqXj7aZA
- Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) March 14, 2015
Vassallo shared the story with the website OnMilwaukee.com two years ago:
"A year or so passed, and I was with the Reds. I made the trip to Arizona with the team, so just for the heck of it, I emailed him and reminded him of that call with the Yankees. Sure enough, he sent me back a message, and we ended up going out for lunch that day at California Pizza Kitchen. We've been friends ever since. I have him to Spring Training pretty much every year."
After signing autographs in the clubhouse for players, including wrestling fans Chris Perez and Matt Clark, Farris spent the Cubs-Brewers game in the press box with Vassallo and the team's beat reporters.
Folded easier than my press pass against @OfficialHTM. Where was @CarrieMuskat when I needed to tag out? pic.twitter.com/6qYtADWFtL
- Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 14, 2015