When it comes to sports in Baltimore, 2008 was a hot (Michael Phelps, the Ravens) and cold (the Orioles, Terps hoops) year. But whether the past year in sports left local fans cheering or screaming, there are many highlights to remember — including these 10:

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Following in the footsteps of John Madden and Tiger Woods, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps wants to start his own video game empire. But curiously enough, swimming might not be the main event.

European publisher 505 Games is hoping its new U.S division can make a splash with games, due in 2010, built around the swimmer and local native. The Olympic hero looks at the deal as “a tremendous opportunity to help continue my quest to raise the profile for the sport of swimming.”

“Swimming will be a part of it, but it won’t be set in an Olympic pool going back and forth,” said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games, the company releasing the series. “This is a pure action game.”

More details will emerge closer to the first installment’s planned release in spring 2010. The game should be available on consoles and the iPhone. But the lack of specifics hasn’t stopped video game experts from speculating.
{THE BALTIMORE SUN AND AP}

From today’s b, the paper

Michael Phelps has mastered the art of playing coy.

When asked recently whether he thought he’d be named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, Phelps offered a half-smirk and a roll of his shoulders.

Of course, he won the title, which shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise to anyone. The magazine called this year’s countdown “the most anticlimactic campaign in the 55-year history of the honor.”
Phelps’ post-Olympic schedule has been packed with corporate obligations and personal ones. Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, became business partners by purchasing the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in Mount Washington, and he formed a foundation to introduce kids to swimming.

He even has a book, “No Limits: The Will to Succeed,” due in stores today. Co-written by journalist Alan Abrahamson, though portrayed in first person as if Phelps was the main author, it focuses primarily on the historic Olympics performance.

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When Michael Phelps left his mother’s house in Rodgers Forge four years ago, he was — despite his six gold medals and his 19 years on Earth — still a boy in almost every sense.

Last week, he returned to Baltimore a 23-year-old man, not to his mother’s house in Baltimore County but to a condo in Fells Point that he bought for $1.7 million. In addition to eight more gold medals, he’s brought with him a longing for what he once left behind: family, old friends, NFL football and the familiar sound of Baltimore accents.

He concedes life will be different. How different, he isn’t sure. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you think Michael Phelps is over-exposed

Pure Phelpsian. Discuss.

Having an athlete guest on “SNL” is always risky business. It doesn’t usually totally bomb, but there’s moments of awkwardness that make sports fans cry inside.
Admission: I only watched half of the Michael Phelps-hosted season-opener of “Saturday Night Live” (yeah, I actually work on Sundays, so early-ish bedtime Sadness), and I can say it wasn’t horrible, because, well, they didn’t demand much of Phelps.
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11:17: As Brand babbles on about nothing, some thoughts: Show was kind of boring, especially since the major controversy was the odd promise ring back-and-forth.  But Britney’s comeback gives me hope for society to forgive and forget. I’ll be awaiting McCain’s response tomorrow. Have a good night!

11:13: As Britney rides out in a golf cart with Brand (seriously), Kanye West closes the show, performing, I think, on the backlot, but not sure. He’s doing his new song, “Love Lockdown” and has an illuminated broken heart on his lapel area. He also has drummers behind him, a la the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Kayne rocks it.

11:10: Kobe Bryant is out to announce, finally, video of the year. If Pussycat Dolls win, my faith in humanity will be pretty much gone. Thankfully, Britney Spears wins. I’m wondering who that guy next to her is. Any tabloid readers want to help me out?

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To all you Phelps Phans out there:

Show us your love for hometown boy Michael Phelps.

You can make posters, t-shirts, art, you name it. Get creative!

Submit your pictures of well wishes to Mr.Phelps to features@bthesite.com and you could see your pic in an upcoming issue of b.

TMZ is reporting that record-shattering Olympic champion Michael Phelps will settle down in Fell’s Point.

They say he’s purchased a condo for $1.7 million on the waterfront in Fell’s Point. Take a look at some of the pictures posted on that complex’s website and one word comes to mind: gorgeous.

Here’s a snippet from the condo’s website describing the building’s facilities: Read the rest of this entry »