rief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, N

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is enthused about the teams prospects after watching many of them play in instructional league games this month.New York boosted its system by acquiring shortstop Gleyber Torres, outfielders Clint Frazier and Rashad Crawford and left-hander Justus Sheffield in trades for veterans Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran.Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin joined the big league team in August and sparked the Yankees to a wild-card run, one that ultimately fell shortThe last two months, we had one bad road trip and it was bad, Steinbrenner said Friday. But other than that we were right in it. Being able to bring some of those kids up the beginning of August when the games really mattered, I think we learned a lot and saw a lot. We saw what they were made of. It was a great experience for them.Steinbrenner watched Fridays finale with special adviser Reggie Jackson, vice president of player development Gary Denbo and pitching coach Larry Rothschild. The prospects acquired in the trades joined pitcher James Kaprielian (recovered from a flexor tendon strain) and first baseman Greg Bird (back from shoulder surgery).The quality of the players is as good as its ever been. Thats including if you go back into the early 90s when we had a lot of those guys that ended up going on to win championships for us, said Denbo, who was a Yankees minor league manager and coach during the period. I think this group of players reminds of me of that group.HALL OF FAME FATHER?Hal Steinbrenner is excited about the possibility of his father George Steinbrenner being voted into the baseball Hall of Fame. George Steinbrenner is among 10 candidates on the Todays Game Era ballot to be voted on by a veterans committee Dec. 4 and announced the following day at the winter meetings.He certainly deserves to be there, at least my familys opinion and I think a lot of fans opinion as well, Hal Steinbrenner said.The Yankees won seven World Series titles and 11 American League pennants in George Steinbrenners 37 full seasons as team owner. He died in 2010.STAR POWERJackson, Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Orlando Hernandez, Tino Martinez, Alfonso Soriano and Nick Swisher were among the guest instructors during instructional leagues three-week run.I want to ensure that our players have a healthy respect for the guys that have come before them and kind of put this organization in a position to have the respect that it does from around the world, Denbo said. Having those guys around has all kinds of benefits for our players. To share their experiences and going back to when they were young players and talk about the things that they had to get through and how they got through them holds great value for our guys. ... Hall of Famer Craig Biggio was at Fridays game to watch his son Cavan play for the Toronto Blue Jays instructional league team.Adidas NMD Mens Black and White . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Adidas NMD Human Race Sale . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/ . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). Adidas NMD Black And White . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Adidas NMD R1 China .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later.MELBOURNE, Australia -- Two-time Olympic cycling gold medalist Anna Meares will carry the Australian flag at the opening ceremony for the Rio de Janeiro Games on Aug. 5.Meares was announced Wednesday as the flag bearer and captain of Australias expected 410-member team. The ceremony was attended by former Seattle WNBA basketball player and now-retired Lauren Jackson, who carried the Australian flag at the 2012 London Games.The 32-year-old Meares won gold medals at tthe 2004 and 2012 Games.dddddddddddd In her fourth Olympics, she will defend her title in the individual sprint and also compete in the team sprint and keirin.Meares, who was born in western Queensland state, says for me, a country girl, a coal miners daughter, to become the flag bearer for this country leaves me very emotional and proud. ' ' '