7 Years After Being Away From the Pool, Michael Phelps Recreates Iconic Move at Arizona Diamondbacks’ MLB Game

Michael Phelps is arguably one of the best swimmers that the world has witnessed. The Baltimore Bullet dominated the swimming world for years, and there are several records that the swimming legend set that are yet to be broken. The 23-time Olympic gold medalist announced his retirement in 2012, but the swimming legend returned in 2016 to cap off a decorated career. It has been almost seven years since the flying fish left the pool, but the memories are still fresh.

Apart from being such a dominant professional swimmer for years, Phelps is also known for his love for other sports besides swimming. Whether it is about trying his hands at golf or being present at MLB games, the Olympian has always been the greatest ambassador of sports. In a similar vein, Phelps made a recent appearance at an Arizona Diamondbacks MLB game, where he exhibited his baseball skills, including one of his most iconic moves.

The Michael Phelps that everyone knows

On Saturday, Michael Phelps attended Game Five of the Championship Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was also given the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch in the game that was hosted by Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Phelps also captivated his fans with his iconic swimming stretch before the fun showcase of his baseball skills. The video fun moment was shared by MLB Life on their Instagram handle with the caption “Someone needs to get him in the D-backs pool.” This iconic and fun swimming stretch is becoming a viral sensation on the internet.

Donning the Diamondbacks jersey, the 28-time Olympic medalist threw a 19-mph fastball. The Philadelphia Phillies let the Diamondbacks cover a 2-0 lead when the Arizona-based team won two back-to-back games. However, they made a staunch comeback in this contest, securing a 6-1 victory and taking a 3-2 series lead. Now the NLCS will return to Philadelphia for Game 6. Apart from Michael Phelps, the game was also attended by NBA legends like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, etc. Phelps, a known MLB fan, has been spotted at the pitcher’s mound on previous occasions as well.

Not his first time at the pitcher’s mound

The American swimming prodigy has previously thrown the ceremonial first pitch, and one such occasion came during the Diamondbacks’ 2017 playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has always been a fan of baseball, and Major League Basketball has been one of his go-to places when it comes to taking some time off his busy schedule.

Read More: Walking in Michael Phelps’ Footsteps, Leon Marchand Finds a Newfound Passion in Arizona Devils’ MLB Ground

He has also been an avid admirer of his home team, the Baltimore Orioles. His spotting at such a significant global stage and being given the chance to throw the first pitch has been a testament to his swimming career, and it also underlines how big of an ambassador he has been to the sporting world. His impact resonates far beyond the swimming pool.

Watch this story: Swimming Legend Michael Phelps’ Top 5 Iconic Career Races