Nevada honors its Major Leaguers

RENO - The University of Nevada baseball program honored the best players to don the Silver & Blue.

Eleven former Pack players were recognized Tuesday night at Legacy Hall for their accomplishments at Nevada, but most importantly, for advancing to the Major Leagues.

Stew Colton, who helped organize Tuesday's event, thought of the idea of tying in the ceremony in accordance with the renovation of Peccole Park and Wednesday night's annual Bobby Dolan dinner. Fieldturf was installed during the off-season and lights are currently being put up at the Pack's baseball park.

"Wouldn't it be great in conjunction with the renovation of Pecole Park if we did something to bring back all of the former Wolf Pack players that made it to the Major Leagues," Colton asked.

The public had the opportunity to talk with the players followed by a presentatio n of their careers during the informal ceremony.

"The legacy that you left and the inspiration that you leave for every kid that walks on that field is invaluable," Nevada coach Gary Powers said during the presentation. "We cannot replace that. We can't buy that. That has to be earned and earned by you guys. I could only thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"We've had 11 guys that made it to the Big Leagues and it would be a perfect time to coordinate it with the Pecole Park renovation," Colton said.

Colton said the timing couldn't be more perfect to have all 11 players in Reno at the same time.

"We wanted to do it in conjunction with the baseball dinner and it worked out perfectly," Colton said. "Something like this is a once in a lifetime deal. I felt the time was right with the Peccole Park remodel. That's kind of what spearheaded the thing."

Colton was also in charge of contacting the players and their wives for the event.

"I told Gary (Powers) I would take on the task of tracking everyone down," Colton said. "I called them and spoke to all of their wives."

Six of the 11 players are still active including Lyle Overbay (Toronto), Ryan Church and Carson High's Darrell Rasner (Washington), Chad Qualls (Houston), Corky Miller and Andy Dominique (Seattle).

Chris Singleton finished the 2005 season with Tampa Bay and will be the Chicago White Sox's color commentator this coming season.

Chris Prieto played for the Anaheim organization last season, and Rob Richie played for Detroit in 1989.

Shawn Barton played for Seattle and San Francisco from 1992-1996, and Ed Plank played for the Giants from 1978-1979.