But yesterday marked a chance to honor Phelps for something that won't likely be repeated, not by a Baltimorean and not by someone from any other city on the planet. Sure, Phelps deserved the party, but those who felt as if they were in the Beijing pool with him for every stroke, every turn and every dolphin kick of the Summer Games seemed to need the celebration just as much. It wasn't enough to cheer from their homes. Just in case it hasn't yet sunk in, Phelps needed to hear with his own ears from those he inspired.
"There's no better place to be than right here in Baltimore," he told the excited crowd last night.
Though complaints were few yesterday, it is unfortunate it took so long for Phelps to make his way home, finally allowing the city and Baltimore County to throw him this all-day party. The day was intended to honor all of the area's Olympians - such as fellow Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff and Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long. But because of the five-week lag time, Carmelo Anthony, who helped the men's basketball team win gold in Beijing, couldn't take part in the celebration. Anthony was Baltimore's only other Olympic gold medalist, and his Denver Nuggets team is in training camp.
As for Phelps, he now finally has a chance to take a breath. Since June, he had been living out of a pair of suitcases. In fact, upon returning to the United States from China, he had to pick up a third. After making the rounds from community pools to MTV, from corporate speaking engagements to the Saturday Night Live stage, Phelps can finally sleep in his own bed.
Usually, an Olympic champ quickly fades from the spotlight; the slow-moving Olympic wheel spins just once every four years. Though Phelps will certainly receive some well-deserved downtime, don't expect him to disappear. His face is now recognized around the world, spotted on cereal boxes, gossip Web sites and TV commercials, and that won't soon change.
Certainly not in Baltimore. The city doesn't boast many charms this big, and it has a pretty good memory when it comes to its sports immortals.
In time, there will be other champions. But there will be only one Michael Phelps.
Long after the sun had set over Fort McHenry last night, after Phelps had taken his seat next to his mother, Debbie, on stage, and after the fireworks had finished exploding in the clear night sky, everyone seemed to appreciate that truth - from the shrieking teenage girls to those fans already basking in their golden years.
In fact, though Phelps' smile didn't fade for a second all day, it was impossible to tell just who was more excited that he had finally come home - the road-weary Olympic champion or his loyal legion of Phanatics.
