Back on July 7th, we crowned 2008 the greatest single year in sports history.

And boy, was that more premature than McLovin’s load in this photo (right).

Another weekend, another great moment in American sport history. Michael Phelps, best Olympian ever, turned my ’shut-off-the-laptop-and-television’ vacation weekend into a crave for more Beijing cowbell.

Mama’s boy did it — and alongside, quite possibly, the greatest Wingman in Wingman history: Jason Lezak — the yang of Phelps’ ying, the milk to his Oreo, and the Luigi of Super Mario.

Never before has an athlete propelled himself so quickly into the Tiger/Jordan Elite Club than Phelps did with his eighth gold metal of Beijing last night. But was that concept a little premature?

No, but it’s certainly a different route compared to Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, who earned their crowns as ‘Greatest. Athlete. Ever.’ over years of a dominant legacy. Phelps? He swam eight races in a matter of less than two weeks.

Without all eight, though, Phelps wouldn’t touch the Tiger-Jordan debate. Amazing what 100 meters can do in terms of a legendary status.

Let the endorsements rain, Phelps.