Australian team flag bearer Anna Meares started her Olympic campaign with an agonising near-miss.Meares and Stephanie Morton were leading the bronze medal ride against Germany until well into the second of their two laps.But Kristina Vogel overhauled Morton late to give Germany the win, 32.636 seconds to 32.658.China broke the world record on the way to beating Russia for the gold medal, with their 31.928 the first sub-32 second ride.So close - Id be lying if I said I wasnt disappointed, Meares said.Thats brutally disappointing to finish that close to an Olympic medal.At the same time, Im really proud of the performances that Stef and I put forward.Meares and Morton said they would not change anything about how they rode against Germany.Its agonising to come so close, but to get three really quality rounds, Im really happy, Morton said.We dont usually race three rounds, thats the first time Ive done it.So Im really happy with my rides ... I left it all out on the track.The Australian men also narrowly missed the bronze medal on Thursday.Meares admitted she had struggled with the focus of being the team flag bearer, but had welcomed the gap between the opening ceremony and her first event on Friday.I had maybe one day when I felt it quite significantly - I found it very hard to come to training and focus, she said.I just felt the pressure and expectation.But I didnt hit the panic button, which is what Id normally do in competition.Meares was asked whether anything less than a gold medal would do from here in the sprint and keirin.I will tell you after - I have two goals for these Games, she said. The two Australians will race in the keirin on Saturday. Red Sox Jerseys 2020 . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Junichi Tazawa Red Sox Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shtaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . https://www.cheapredsox.com/ . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Rafael Devers Jersey . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Brandon Workman Red Sox Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Oakland AthleticsOverall: 115 Title track: 79 Ownership: 122 Coaching: 63 Players: 75 Fan relations: 110 Affordability: 34 Stadium experience: 122 Bang for the buck: 80 Change from last year: -15Is this the worst franchise in baseball, as the voters felt? Its easy to see the bad when the 60s-era stadium is on blast practically daily in the media. Then the team is just five wins from the worst record in baseball. But theres some gd news in there somewhere.Whats gdWait, is there something gd about this franchise right now? Honestly, its the players, even though their ranking fell to 75th. There were some finds this year, as Marcus Semien, Ryon Healy and Khris Davis could form a formidable group in the lineup next year. Young pitchers Jharel Cotton and Sean Manaea -- acquired in classic, veteran-dumping Billy Beane trades -- provide hope that the rotation can be a strength again. Win or lose, at least going to an As game is cheap (34th in affordability), and the bang for the buck potential is strong, even if the return for your buck, at the moment, is devalued (80th overall and down 41 spots).Whats badWhats not? Lew Wolff -- the worst owner in sports in a repeat performance -- has been at odds with practically everyone as he has tried to railroad his way to a new ballpark for the Athletics.dddddddddddd. To be fair, that current ballpark also ranks worst in these standings, so hes right to try to improve it. At the Coliseum, the fd is terrible, the craft beer selections are mediocre, and the concourse is cramped, cement and bunker-like. In the meantime, Wolff has spent less on the players on his team than anyone else the past five years, and that has led to a gradual downturn in on-field product. There is only so much Beane can do.Whats newThere might be movement on a new ballpark! Maybe. The players are showing signs of promise. Those are the things that might move the needle in next years standings. But right now, all we see are empty parking lots -- even on free parking Tuesday! -- that lead to empty seats and, until the youth turns this team around, a worsening record that throws shade on the players (down 38 spots) and the coaching staff (down 24).Full rankings ' ' '