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When you compete in something as long as I have -- remember, I swam in my first Olympics before I was old enough to drive -- you see just about everything. Custom Nike Cleveland Indians Jerseys . The aging superstar chasing one more Olympic gold, the teenage record holder who everyone believes is the next big thing. Some succeed. Most fail. Maybe theyre not good enough, dont want to put in the work, or dont care about winning enough to truly push their body to its limit.And then theres Katie Ledecky. It was two years before the 2012 London Games when I first started paying attention to her. Every time she got in the water, it didnt matter what time of year it was, how rested she was, where she was swimming, who she was swimming against -- she was cranking best times, national records. It was incredible. I remember thinking, this girl might be the real deal.But I wanted to see it on the big, big stage. Could she do it in the Olympics?In London, Katie was just 15 years old -- the same age I was at my first Olympics in Sydney. She was quiet, kind of kept to herself. But on the final day of competition, in the 800 freestyle, she won gold by more than four seconds. I won gold in the 100 fly earlier that night and had just received my medal when Katies event began. As I was walking through the interview area, reporters began asking me questions that I didnt even answer. Instead, I pointed to the monitor where Katie was crushing it.This past summer in Rio, she backed it up with four more golds. Right now, shes untouchable. There are swimmers who might push her, but no one is going to beat her. I remember what that feeling was like; its a great place to be. You know that if you put in the work, the reward is going to be there at the end. The challenge becomes longevity. How long can you keep it up?But no one is better prepared for this than Katie. Shes that much better than everybody else. When I watch her swim, its like an art. Its beautiful. She maximizes her distance per stroke. Its just something you dont see in swimming. Beyond that, shes one of the hardest-working people Ive ever seen in training camp. She will swim with the guys and make them look like theyre standing still. I did a set with her once in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Olympic Training Center. We were supposed to go together, but I was thrilled when she decided to lead a lane because I didnt want to get my ass whipped. Shes just special.And beyond that, mentally, she never lets up. She goes all out the entire race. Her mentality is, Im going to crush this field as much as I possibly can. In the first 100 meters, the race is over. Hell, in the first 50 its over. She makes the statement and then backs it up. Its just so remarkable.Yet away from the pool, with her teammates, shes as laid back as anyone. Shes talking, laughing, messing around. Then she gives a few high-fives, goes out and absolutely destroys the rest of the world. Its amazing to watch. You just dont see people like her in the sport. I know. And for me to have shared part of my career with someone so dominant and dedicated, and yet still so determined, is an honor. I mean it. Im a fan of this sport as much as anyone. And I cant wait to see what she does next.More on Katie Ledecky? What makes Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky remarkable Story ?? On this night, appropriately, Ledecky eclipses Phelps?Story ?? Katie Ledecky: Road to Rio training regimen?Story ?? How to be Katie Ledecky?Video ?The IMPACT25 is espnWs annual list of the 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest difference for women in sports. Explore the 2016 list and more content at espnW.com/IMPACT25. Custom Nike New York Mets Jerseys . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Custom Nike Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. https://www.customjerseysnikebaseball.co...o-cubs-jerseys/ . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- When the Oakland Athletics wasted an excellent opportunity to take the lead, Albert Pujols made them pay.Pujols hit a two-run homer off Ryan Dull in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels an 8-6 victory Wednesday night that extended Oaklands losing streak to five games.Stephen Vogt tied it 6-all with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, but Mike Morin (2-1) relieved Cam Bedrosian and got pinch-hitter Danny Valencia to bounce into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.It was the second time the As grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners in scoring position.Those were two key spots where were talking about situational at-bats and getting an extra run, maybe two, manager Bob Melvin said. Late in games, when you have runners on and you get two outs in one at-bat, it ends up being a factor.Mike Trout led off the bottom half and hit a grounder to third baseman Ryon Healy, who threw high and wide of first for an error. Pujols then drove a 3-1 pitch from Dull (5-3) far over the left-field fence for his 581st home run.Just a fastball over the middle of the plate when he needed to throw a strike, Melvin said. But we had opportunities, several opportunities throughout the game -- not just in the last inning. And we didnt play defense very well. Those cost you in close games.Trout had three hits and reached on Healys error to start the ninth, diving headlong into first base to avoid a tag. Pujols also finished with three hits to go with three RBI.After his game-ending drive, Pujols slid feet first into home plate before a swarm of excited teammates helped tear off his jersey.The slugger is two home runs behind former St. Louis teammate Mark McGwire for 10th on the career list. Pujols has 1,192 extra-base hits, passing Lou Gehrig for sole possession of ninth place, and his 20th walk-off plate appearance tied him for third-most since 1969, behind Dusty Baker and Rickey Henderson.Guys like Albert, it seems like late in the game, those guys want to be up there, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Theyre going to give you a good at-bat.Jefry Marte and Cliff Pennington homered in the fouurth for the Angels, who have won 10 of 12 at home. Custom Nike Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys. One night after earning his first save, Bedrosian, filling in for injured closer Huston Street, blew an opportunity when he allowed the tying run in the ninth. Bedrosian put the first five batters of the inning on base before being removed in favor of Morin.After the As scored once in the eighth on Jed Lowries bases-loaded walk to cut the Los Angeles lead to 6-5, Coco Crisp singled leading off the ninth. Max Muncy walked and Vogt tied the game with a single to left-center. Muncy was tagged out in a rundown between second and third, but Bedrosian walked Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso to load the bases.Morin got Valencia to ground into a 1-2-3 double play.Jered Weaver limited the As to four runs (three earned) and nine hits in six innings. Weaver gave up runs in the second, third and fourth, but the Angels tied it in the bottom of each inning before taking a 6-4 lead in the fifth.Thats definitely frustrating on my end. You want to be able to help a team win and hold a lead, Oakland starter Kendall Graveman said. I have to manage it and try to make pitches.Graveman lasted four-plus innings and allowed six earned runs, tying his season high and marking the first time in six starts that hes given up more than three.TRAINERS ROOMLowrie is playing with a bunion on his left foot. The team has ordered him orthotics in hopes of easing the pain but acknowledged that surgery might be an option. Lowrie is trying to avoid the disabled list.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Jesse Hahn will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday for his fourth start with Oakland this season. Hahn is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two appearances against the Angels and 2-4 with a 5.53 ERA in eight major league games this year.Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco will make his Angels debut in the series finale. Nolasco was acquired from Minnesota on Monday along with RHP Alex Meyer in exchange for LHP Hector Santiago. Nolasco, who grew up 50 miles northeast of Angel Stadium in Rialto, is 4-8 with a 5.13 ERA. ' ' '