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LAS VEGAS -- Jimmie Johnson was celebrated Friday night for winning his record-tying seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup title, while Tony Stewart was seen off into retirement and Dale Earnhardt Jr. told his adoring fans hell be ready to race in 2017.Johnsons dramatic victory in the finale last month at Homestead moved him into a tie with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most series championships. Johnson was to make his speech last at the season-ending banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas.NASCAR honored Stewart, who retired after an 18-year career that included three series championships, with a video poking fun at his coarse language, weight and temper and with a surprise appearance by Pearl Jams Eddie Vedder.Car owner Rick Hendrick then announced a $1.8 million donation by the the motorsports industry to Vedders children charity in Stewarts name.Totally caught off guard, Stewart said. But really honored that Eddie Vedder would come here for this and Im so excited the racing community raised that kind of money to help that charity.Earnhardt Jr. was voted most popular driver by fans for a record 14th time despite missing the second half of the season following at least the fifth concussion of his career. While not announcing the date or track, he intends to drive a test session this month, the final hurdle before hell be cleared to return.It made the bad days better, Earnhardt said of the unending fan support. Once I started feeling good about coming back, it gave me a lot of motivation and maybe a reminder of why I want to be back in the car. You race to have fun and win races, but it wouldnt be worth even making the trip if the fans didnt show up.The unflappable Johnson was in his tuxedo more than two hours before the red carpet ceremony smiling for numerous photo shoots. He knows how the process works as the 2016 title secures his spot atop the sports hierarchy.Stewart enjoyed his final awards week before becoming just a NASCAR team owner. His boyhood hero, A.J. Foyt, made a surprise appearance at a Thursday fan event that turned into an impromptu Stewart roast as the sport said goodbye to one of its strongest characters.Its just been one hell of a journey, a lot of fun, Stewart said. Everybody keeps saying Im retiring, but Im still going to be the same pain in the (rear) with all the NASCAR officials. Im certain theres already a pool going on back there at the NASCAR officials table on what the over-under is for me getting called to the trailer as an owner.Earnhardt sustained a concussion in a June 12 wreck at Michigan. His last start was July 9 at Kentucky as he continued to suffer serious aftereffects that included balance and vision problems.Earnhardt, who missed the final 18 races, stopped taking medication in October. Hes confident hell be healthy for drive the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26. His busy offseason will include getting married on New Years Eve and also participating in Januarys testing session at Phoenix.Well get out there and spend half a day somewhere running some long runs and getting a good idea if Im ready to go, Earnhardt said. I feel 100 percent. I dont think there will be any issues.Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez and Craftsman Truck Series winner Johnny Sauter also were honored at the black tie banquet that included a musical performance by Sting and was hosted by comedian Jay Mohr for the sixth time.Sorry its not seven, Mohr told Johnson.It also marked the final event sponsored by Sprint in NASCARs top series. Sprints yellow and black logo, splashed all over the casino ballroom and above the red carpet, will be replaced by Monster Energys green-clawed `M in 2017. Houston Astros Store . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. Custom Houston Astros Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.cheapastros.com/ . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Roberto Osuna Astros Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Cheap Astros Jerseys . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have placed Michael Wacha on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, a day after his latest start, and purchased the contract of top prospect Alex Reyes from Triple-A Memphis.Reyes will pitch out of the bullpen. General Manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday another highly touted prospect, Luke Weaver, will likely make Wachas scheduled start Saturday and a corresponding roster move would be made then.Its an honor to put this uniform on, Reyes said. I dont know what it will feel like once I step out there, but Im sure it will be fun.To make room for Reyes, catcher Brayan Pena (left knee) was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.The 21-year-old Reyes started for the World Team at the Futures Game during All-Star week and is 2/3 with a 4.96 ERA in 14 starts and 93 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings. The start of his season was delayed by a 50-game suspension after testing positive for marijuana use.One of the most impressive things for me is the statements he made and the conversation he had with all the young players in extended spring and talked about some of the decisions he made and the repercussions of those and then getting to work to try to put that behind him and moving forward, manager Mike Matheny said. Thats a lot of growing up for a 21-year-old to do in one year.Reyes iss 20-21 with a 3.dddddddddddd50 ERA in 69 career minor league starts. He has hit triple digits on the radar gun, but the key for Reyes will be control.When youre putting guys on base, the game teaches you pretty quick that thats not going to work, Matheny said. He gets it. Hes only 21, but hes still been around long enough to know what were looking for around here. We need him to be in the strike zone.Wacha is 7-7 with a 4.45 ERA. He allowed four runs in five innings and got no decision in a 5-4 come-from-behind victory on Monday.Hes definitely been struggling with command for some time and if there was a correlation between the two, its been going on for quite a while, Mozeliak said. But in terms of us feeling like it was time to get him looked at, I certainly felt after last nights outing that that made sense.The injury is similar to the one the prematurely ended Wachas 2014 season.Weaver, 22, spent most of this season at Double-A Springfield, but pitched six scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut on Monday.I feel like the ability to throw strikes in games, I do think thats important, Mozeliak said. He only had one start in Triple-A, but I do feel like he will give us a chance to win that ball game. ' ' '