“Wish I Could Hit Like You”: Michael Phelps Could Not Believe His Ears When a Professional Pitcher Once Gave Him an Ultimate Compliment

Many know the legend of Michael Phelps. A thumping 28 Olympic medals, a staggering 23 bathed in gold, makes Phelps the most decorated Olympian the world has ever seen. Who would’ve thought a child having ADHD, while also processing his parent’s divorce, would become the undisputed GOAT of the swimming world?

But Michael’s athletic life was not only about swimming. The Baltimore Bullet was also a decent hitter of the ball as he dabbled as a hitter in baseball. His prowess in the middle of the baseball park was once addressed by a legend of the game too!

When Michael Phelps received heavy praise from an MLB legend

Throughout his life, Michael Phelps has had a rollercoaster relationship with his father. After their divorce, Michael’s parents traversed separate paths. Michael stuck alongside his mother and elder sisters as the family walked a difficult path. But this decision did not mean Michael had never spent time with his father. In his autobiography titled ‘Beneath the Surface,’ Phelps recalled spending precious moments with his father, too.

One of Michael’s most cherished moments with his father came when they met with MLB legend Ben McDonald. Michael wrote his father used to work security detail at numerous functions and would often meet high-profile people. One of the people he met was none other than the 1989 draft’s first overall pick, Ben McDonald. Through the same connection, Michael’s father got them to go to the clubhouse and meet the players. As Michael saw McDonald, Ben came to him and said, “You must be Michael.” Recalling the incident, Michael, wrote he must have had the “goofiest grin on my face.”

READ MORE: “He Couldn’t Deal With It”- Michael Phelps’ Father Spoiled His Olympic Debut With a Shocking News During Match

The conversation continued as Ben said, “I understand you’re a tremendous baseball player.” Phelps wrote, “Now my grin was as big as the ballpark.” But Ben added, “I wish I could hit like you, but I’m just a pitcher.” “Okay, bigger than the ballpark,” Michael exclaimed. McDonald posed for a photo with Michael too. But the fact that he knew who Michael was and how good of a player he was meant the world to him. “Way to go, Dad,” wrote a proud Michael Phelps.

The multi-talented Phelps

Apart from being the GOAT swimmer, Phelps is also quite the ballplayer. He is also an accomplished golfer. The swimmer has previously admitted to golf being his favorite sport away from swimming.

The swimmer cum golfer enjoys a handicap of 10.5, which is good. Phelps is also a proud owner of some custom-made golf clubs. Michael’s wedge has 28 stars engraved, paying homage to his 28 Olympic medals. But it is not all pomp and show with Michael’s playing abilities. The man holds the record for the longest televised putt in history, as he once made a putt from 159ft out! Michael was also a member of Team USA in the Icons cup, serving as another testament to his golfing skills.

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Swimmer, golfer, and also a baseball player. Is there anything Phelps isn’t good at?