An Open Letter to Michael Phelps: Let's Think Twice About Your Retirement Plan

Uh, about this retirement thing.

I get it. It's been a long career, most of it spent stroking up and back, over and over again, chasing that long black line on the bottom of the pool. Your workouts make rush-hour traffic look fun, and you've probably swum the equivalent of three or four laps around the equator.

And now you have a fiancee and a son—a true Baby Boomer. Time to stay at home and settle into the life of a normal 31-year-old, whatever that is.

I was with you on this, Michael. I really was. After all, how can anyone ask more from you? You've elevated swimming the way LeBron James elevated Cleveland. You've won more golds than Tiger Woods has majors. You've made them play "The…