Wait until you see his splash

Swimming: Michael Phelps already took down Mark Spitz. The record-breaking Olympian can’t wait to take on Shaq.

Phelps, who broke Spitz’s record by winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, said he jumped at the chance to take part in Shaquille O’Neal’s new reality TV show “Shaq Vs.,” in which the 15-time All-Star center will challenge top athletes in their respective sports.

During one episode in the show, which debuts on Aug. 18 on ABC, Shaq will swim against Phelps. O’Neal gets to negotiate a handicap with his opponents and train with a coach for one week leading up to each challenge.

“We haven’t really decided on anything final yet – how far, how long, how big a head start I will have to give him,“’ Phelps said before the world championships in Rome. “To be able to swim with a 7-foot-2, 300-pound man will be absolutely awesome. When I was asked to do it, I quickly said, ‘Yes.’ 

Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman said he’ll be “coaching Shaq up a little bit. … We’re sewing together three suits and wrapping him up in it.”

Associated Press

Kubek doesn’t watch baseball

Baseball: Tony Kubek is an interesting choice to be honored by the Hall of Fame, being that the former New York Yankees player and announcer insists he hasn’t watched a game in 15 years.

Kubek, 73, who will receive the Ford C. Frick award for broadcasters today in Cooperstown, N.Y., said he left his job broadcasting Yankees games in 1994 even though he had two years remaining on his contract because he didn’t like how money was changing the game.

A Yankee from 1957-65, Kubek returned to his home in Appleton, Wis., and has been there since. He said he has spent his time with family and working in the community.

“Do I still love the game?” he said. “Yes.”

But he insisted he has no regrets leaving it.

Associated Press

Girls clean up at annual derby

Soap Box Derby: Sarah Whitaker overcame rain and wind to make her family proud by racing to victory at the 72nd All-American Soap Box Derby at Akron, Ohio.

The 10-year-old, the 15th member of her family to race in the national finals, was one of four girls to claim championships in the six divisions.

“It’s beyond words, but I can say I just love it,” said Whitaker, who jumped into her uncle’s arms after climbing out of her race car at the finish line.

Whitaker’s uncle Jon Underwood competed in the finals in 1976 and 1978.

His dad, John Underwood, was an All-American champion in 1946.

Associated Press