Phelps accomplished one of the greatest things in sports history and is known globally.

Although Lebron James is my favorite athlete I feel that Phelp's accomplishment was one of the greatest that I've ever seen.

I love sports but am not the biggest swimming fan in the world, and although I missed most of his early races, I was glued to the TV set when he hit paydirt for the seventh time. Meanwhile Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (I'm guessing that they don't attend swim meets on the regular either) came out to the swimming venue to root Michael on as well. Hands down an easy five star rating and gets my nod for male athlete of the year.

He is, by far, a freaking stud.  And most deserving of 2008 Male Athlete of the Year.

I wouldn't think there would be any question who it should be, with Bolt a close 2nd.

I'd rate him in a dead heat with Usain Bolt.  I know his medal count is higher, but the gold standard for human acheivement for centuries has been the fastest 100.  Bolt also has a lot more personality.

Duh :-)

With all due respect to the others on this list of best male athletes of 2008, Michael Phelps is hands-down the athlete who most dominated the sports world. He went into every event and not only won eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing, but virtually won all of them in record time (six world records, and one Olympic record). Phelps was and is the Male Athlete of the Year (2008).

On a side note, Usain Bolt ought to be seriously considered among this list as well. Breaking the 200m and 100m in the same Olympics by one individual will likely never happen again (unless Bolt is not yet in his prime, but might be by the 2012 Olympic Games in London).

Well, if you don't give it to him this year, you're never going to.

Phelps certainly did win a lot of medals. That ought to count for something.