Some see Dressel as the next heir apparent to Michael Phelps in U.S. swimmingGETTY IMAGES
Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer CAELEB DRESSEL has the "misfortune of being cast as the heir apparent to MICHAEL PHELPS in the American swim juggernaut." With the '20 Tokyo Games fast approaching, the sport is "looking to crown a new king." Dressel could "compete in, and win, as many as eight events in Tokyo." It is "hard to tell if Dressel loves pressure or just ignores it." He "isn't big on social media and tweets only sparingly," while his Instagram feed has "more shots of him rocking out on a drum kit than in the water" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/16).
WORLDWIDE LEADER: ESPN co-Founder BILL RASMUSSEN announced that he is "battling Parkinson's disease." Rasmussen, 86, co-founded ESPN in '79 "alongside his son, SCOTT." Rasmussen said that he was "diagnosed with the disease" in '14, but "chose to share his condition now on a public platform in an effort to help others." Rasmussen will "throw out the ceremonial first pitch" alongside ESPN President JIMMY PITARO on Sept. 8 at Fenway Park before Yankees-Red Sox (USATODAY.com, 7/15).
NAMES: USWNT Fs CARLI LLOYD and MEGAN RAPINOE were "spotted around the fire pit at Gurney's in Montauk on Saturday" (NYPOST.com, 7/15)....USWNT MF SAM MEWIS on Saturday “got the red-carpet treatment” at Fenway Park. Mewis took pictures with Red Sox CF JACKIE BRADLEY JR. and his daughter and “got a hug” from P RICK PORCELLO (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 7/15).
