Michael Phelps Harnesses Inner Juan Uribe for Orioles Batting Practice

Michael Phelps can do anything, even hit a couple of dribblers down the third base line during Orioles batting practice. 

WBAL (h/t Big Lead) brings us the latest in what has been an eventful retirement for the star Olympic swimmer. 

The most obvious fact is that being a world-class athlete does not automatically translate to baseball prowess. Just ask Michael Jordan. 

Still, I have to think Michael Phelps fared a bit better than Juan Uribe taking hacks with his eyes closed on most nights. The swimmer seems to be straight from the Adam Dunn school of swinging with reckless abandon, and I love it. 

Sure, he may have to savor the lone ground balls he managed, but at least he made some contact. And that is certainly something. 

Big Lead has this wonderful exchange that took place before it all went down: 

"

“It’s been a long time since I swung a bat,” Phelps said before walking into the cage.

A few minutes before he starting swinging, manager Buck Showalter came over to greet him and clearly had no sympathy for Phelps.

“I haven’t been in a pool for 30 years, but I’m not drowning,” Showalter joked.

"

Phelps didn't drown, but he may have doggy paddled here. 

Phelps has done fairly well for himself in retirement. He's wandered the globe meeting beautiful women, enjoyed the Super Bowl with the Ravens and even managed to sink a remarkable putt at Dunhill. Now he is taking batting practice with his hometown team. 

There is no question Phelps sacrificed a great deal to turn himself into the most decorated Olympian of all time. He is certainly enjoying a wonderful time out of the pool. 

And he certainly deserves it. 

Still, he may need some more time in the cages. 

Follow me on Twitter for more horrible hacks. 

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