Almost a quarter-century ago, Craig Minervini wasn't known by his real name, his work on Versus Network for the United Football League or for being a well-rounded sportscaster. Rather, a baby-faced Minervini spent two years in the late 1980s as an on-air WWE announcer and interviewer under the name Craig DeGeorge.

His performance in that era continues to resonate. Minervini said he is recognized by a WWE aficionado about every week from his days holding the microphone for such luminaries as Hulk Hogan, The Honky Tonk Man and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Minervini's grappling roots also receive frequent exposure on ESPN -- which often airs repeats of early-1990s shows that he announced for Herb Abrams' ill-fated UWF promotion -- as well as in WWE DVDs and "Classics on Demand" pay offerings.

Minervini's past was unearthed by players from the Florida Marlins, where he serves as the pregame host and in-game reporter.

"Ricky Nolasco couldn't believe it," said Minervini, referring to the 27-year-old Marlins pitcher. "There are probably 40 videos up on YouTube. Fans sometimes ask, 'Did you ever do wrestling?' When I tell them, they say, 'Oh yeah, I used to watch you when I was a kid.' "

The 46-year-old Minervini then laughed, which is something he did frequently when joining the circus atmosphere of a pro-wrestling promotion while in his early 20s. Some of his more memorable WWE moments:

-- "I'm not a very good dancer, but I had to do the do-si-do with Hillbilly Jim live on USA Network."

-- "Andre the Giant was listed as 7-foot-4. I had to hold my arm up to talk to him. I would get tired because he would pause between words and I didn't know if he was finished. I took my mike down once and he took it back with his left hand while elbowing me in the gut with his right arm. I lost my air for a second."

-- "(WWE owner) Vince McMahon was behind everything. He would go over every interview in detail in the production meetings. He was very particular about clothing and having the right look and hair. Once on a holiday show, I went out and the button on my jacket had been ripped off. I started talking and the music comes to a halt. Vince came out and said, 'Don't ever come out with your jacket unbuttoned!' I then had to do the same spiel the audience had just heard. Man, I was embarrassed."

McMahon also is the reason Minervini wasn't billed by his real name. Only moments before making what was an unplanned debut at a WWE television taping in Tampa, Fla., legendary announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund informed Minervini that McMahon wanted a different on-air identity.

"Gene went through the phone book with me looking up different names," Minervini said. "I wasn't comfortable with anything. I mean, in 10 minutes, you have to come up with a new name for life. A thought then came up: My mother's maiden name. That's how I got DeGeorge."

From working with his brother at a standup comedy club, Minervini was already accustomed to thinking on his feet when quizzing WWE stars. The Long Island native also had some knowledge of the product from being a WWE fan in the 1970s when Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales ruled the roost.

Even though he left after only two years, Minervini left such a positive impression that McMahon brought him back to announce for his now-defunct XFL football league a decade ago. Minervini now calls UFL contests with Doug Flutie and works on the broadcast teams of the Marlins and Florida Panthers.

"I like to think I had a sportscaster presentation rather than most of the yellers and screamers who were known in the (wrestling) business," said Minervini, a proud Syracuse University graduate. "I didn't know what to expect, but being on the air a lot helped me develop my own style. I talked to (famed sports announcer) Sam Rosen before I took the job. He said, 'You should do this but don't stay too long because it won't be good for your career.'

"It all worked out in the end. It was fun, and I think Vince likes me and my style. He did hire me a second time and I really learned a lot from working under him."