SPORTS
December 20, 2012 | By Houston Mitchell
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was named the Associated Press male athlete of the year on Thursday. “It's kind of nuts to think about everything I've gone through,” Phelps said. “I've finally had time to myself, to sit back and say, " … that really happened?' It's kind of shocking at times.” Phelps, who won four gold medals and two silver at the London Olympics, barely defeated Miami Heat star LeBron James to win the award. Phelps finished with 40 votes in balloting by U.S. editors and broadcasters, while James was next with 37. Track star Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals in London, was third with 23. It is the second time Phelps has won the award, the other time coming in 2008.
SPORTS
December 20, 2012 | Wire reports
Michael Phelps has added another triumph to his list of accomplishments: the Associated Press male athlete of the year. The retired swimmer edged the Miami Heat's LeBron James in voting announced Thursday, a fitting payoff for winning four gold medals and two silver medals at the London Games, as well as recognition for becoming the most decorated Olympian ever. Phelps finished with 40 votes in the media balloting, winning the award for the second time. James had 37, followed by track star Usain Bolt with 23. Carl Lewis is the only other Olympic-related star to capture AP male athlete of the year more than once, taking the award in 1983 and '84 for track and field.
SPORTS
October 25, 2012 | By Bill Shaikin
SAN FRANCISCO -- The congratulatory telegram is a historical relic. When Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete last summer, President Obama congratulated him via Twitter. On Wednesday, when Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants became the fourth player ever to hit three home runs in a World Series game, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez tweeted his congratulations. Sandoval said he got 300 text messages. He cherished this spotlight on his home country, and on its baseball success this season.
SPORTS
October 5, 2012 | By Dan Loumena
Michael Phelps can golf too. Or at least putt. The gold-medal swimmer sank a 159-foot putt on Friday in Scotland in about the same length of time -- 17 seconds -- it takes him to swim 50 yards. The momentous putt by Phelps, who is an average amateur golfer with a 16 handicap, came during the second round of team play at the Dunhill Links Championship at the Kingsbarn Golf Links in St. Andrew's. Phelps, who won 22 medals, including 18 gold, in three Olympics, had driven to the front edge of the green on the par-four sixth hole.
SPORTS
September 20, 2012 | By Dan Loumena
Michael Phelps, the most-decorated Olympian in history, is turning his attention to golf now that his swimming days are behind him. The owner of 18 gold medals, and 22 overall, will join David Feherty on Golf Channel's "Feherty Live" in advance of the Ryder Cup. The show will be taped live and air Wednesday, two days before the international match-play competition at Medinah Country Club that pits the top U.S. players against their rivals from...
ENTERTAINMENT
September 3, 2012 | By Matt Donnelly
We're guessing any retirement party you've been to didn't include bikini-clad waitresses, chilled vodka shots and world class DJs. But then again, Michael Phelps isn't anywhere near retirement age. But retire the 27-year-old swimmer did. Following a blaze of glory at the recent London Olympic Games that saw him named the most-decorated Olympian in history, Phelps celebrated the end of his competitive career in Las Vegas. A Labor Day weekend bash awaited Phelps and athlete pals such as Allison Schmitt and Nathan Adrian, kicking off Friday at the Wynn Encore's Surrender nightclub.