Over the course of 17 races in 1 1/2 weeks, they celebrated Michael Phelps from the privacy of their homes, their excited voices careening off living room walls, waking up neighbors and stopping nearby traffic. But for the most part, the cheers and screams faded somewhere between Baltimore and Beijing.
This weekend, the area's sea of Phelps Phanatics finally had their chance to let the Olympic champ know just what they thought of his eight-gold-medal performance at the Summer Games, and no doubt Phelps can still hear the echoes today. The cheers just might ring out until the next Summer Games in 2012.
After more than a month of touring the nation, showing off his medals, meeting with sponsors, fans and journalists and promoting his sport every time he opened his mouth, Phelps received a homecoming celebration that lasted a full day and took him from an afternoon parade not far from the Rodgers Forge home in which he grew up to a raucous nighttime party at Fort McHenry.
Evidenced by the thousands of people who took part in the celebration, Phelps has secured a safe and permanent spot in the hearts of Baltimoreans. As the swimmer finally catches his breath, unpacks his suitcases and finds mantel space for his new Olympic hardware, it's important to note that he has also secured a rare and distinguished place in Baltimore lore.
Phelps' amazing Olympic effort stands alone on the city's long list of superlatives and athletic accomplishments. We've never been treated to an athlete quite like him before, and it's not likely we will again. Just as the world had never before seen a feat quite like this - wearing eight gold medals should qualify Phelps as an Olympic weightlifter, too - it won't likely see one again.
For a brief glimpse of a smiling, waving Phelps from atop a National Guard Humvee, residents of Baltimore, Towson and beyond lined the streets yesterday for a parade - just as they had after nearly every other major sporting achievement, record and championship in the city's rich sports history.
From 1954, when the newly relocated Orioles returned from the road to Baltimore for their first-ever homestand, to Phelps' homecoming bash after the 2004 Games, the city has often had reason to line the sidewalks and celebrate its champions.
So, no, yesterday wasn't Baltimore's first sports parade, and no doubt it won't be the last. But Phelps' Beijing record is different from the city's other golden memories. Area sports fans might someday again brag about their Super Bowl champs and just maybe another World Series team, too (repeat after me: If you wait long enough, it will come).
