28-time Olympic medalist and 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps threw a strike last night to open Game 5 of the National League Championship Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Phelps began the ceremonial first pitch in a way that we’re all so familiar with, doing his iconic pre-race ‘flapping’ routine.
He then floated a pitch for a strike. Reminiscent of past first pitches that he’s thrown, there wasn’t much heat on the toss, but it was on-target, which is sometimes the best strategy to avoid a viral moment. In previous first pitches, he’s always been fairly accurate, but this might be his best one yet.
Michael Phelps does his thing before throwing out the first pitch for the Arizona @Dbacks last night. pic.twitter.com/14RFLksE3E
— SwimSwam (@swimswamnews) October 22, 2023
Phelps was born and raised in Baltimore and is a big Baltimore Orioles fan, but has called the Phoenix area home for more than eight years.
The first pitch wasn’t the end of Phelps’ airtime that night. The game’s broadcasters discussed his pre-pitch routine (and legendary records) later in the game, and also showed him seated next to fellow Olympic gold medalists Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Booker played on the 2020 team that won gold, while Durant was on the gold medal-winning teams in 2012, 2016, and 2020. An Olympic legend in his own right, he is the all-time leading scorer in Team USA men’s Olympic basketball history. The pair are the leaders of the Phoenix Suns who are expected to be one of the best teams in the league when the season begins this week.
The Phillies won Saturday’s game 6-1, taking a 3-2 series lead as both teams head back to Philadelphia on Monday.
No mention of Olympian Amy Van Dyken also throwing out a first pitch ahead of game 3 of the NLCS.
Jalen T MP takes are actually valid…
You and Jalen T getting along is the least surprising thing I’ve seen today.
is he wrong about Phelps takes though? Comes across a bit harsh but the points are valid.
The arm swing will never get old.
Thirsty….
How quickly people forget that media darling and PR relevancy extraordinaire Phelps got arrested for DUI
I guarantee is ANYONE else did it (other than a Califraudnia baby bear), they wouldn’t get off so easy
Twice….
Kobe Bryant has entered the chat
r/nbacirclejerk legend
What would you like to happen at this point? I don’t think most of us have forgotten.
What the Fukuoka is a “Califraudnia baby bear”? 🤔
Phelps would rather hang out with football, golfers and baseball players than be around swim teams… most popular person in our sport everyone! Good job
MP is the most decorated swimmer of all time, and has spent more time in/around a pool than most could probably conceive of. What he is doing after retirement from swimming should not be judged in my opinion. He’s a husband, father, and has interests away from swimming. Good for him!
He literally went to the world champs this year, the World Series of swimming lmao
Yes and was literally a guest commentator during the 400IM while his last remaining WR went down! Medal ceremony and more etc….
I imagine he’ll have a very public presence leading up to LA ’28.
#swimingLA28
He went to worlds because of Leon breaking his record not to enjoy swimming. He doesn’t care about swimming unless it revolves around him.
He doesn’t care about swimming unless it revolves around him. So?
Do you know Phelps well, do you?
He’s made appearances and guest commentated at multiple US Nationals and World Champs.
You could argue being around bigger professional athletes and teams is doing a lot for swimming. Think of the 99% of people who saw him at this game who wouldn’t otherwise think about swimming that day, week, or even month.
He wants nothing to do with USAS the organization. I will let you speculate why.
What happened to Pop? He didn’t medal at Worlds.
Pitched better than Gallen that game lol