The Nevada Appeal’s Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels feature recognizes achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out other acts that missed the mark.
SILVER DOLLAR: Eugene Paslov, who served as the State Superintendent of Education from 1985-1994, died last Sunday. But Paslov wasn’t known just as the state superintendent. As Carson City Mayor Robert Crowell noted, Paslov was a champion of education and the arts in Carson City after serving as state superintendent. His long-lasting impression will be missed in Carson City.
SILVER DOLLAR: Six players with local ties were taken in last week’s Major League Baseball Draft: Carson High graduate and University of Nevada relief pitching ace Colby Blueberg was taken in the 24th round by the San Diego Padres. In addition, five players with ties to Western Nevada College were taken: Luke Eubank, 15th round, Cleveland Indians; Andrew Woeck, 31st round, Tampa Bay Rays; Taylor Smart, 26th round, Seattle Mariners; Brandon Show, 38th round, Boston Red Sox; Conor Harber, 40th round, Tampa Bay.
For WNC, it’s the 10th straight year the program has had at least one player taken in the draft. WNC had players taken in the draft before it even took the field in 2006 as it had players drafted who it recruited in 2005. Blueberg also continues the long tradition of baseball success Carson High has had at the highest levels.
SILVER DOLLAR: California Chrome deserves a Silver Dollar while his co-owner, Topaz Lake’s Steve Coburn, receives a Silver Dollar — and a Wooden Nickel. Even though California Chrome fell short in his bid to win the Triple Crown, he still captured the nation’s attention. Meanwhile, Coburn earned a Silver Dollar when he finally apologized for comments he made immediately after the Belmont Stakes and the following day, but...
WOODEN NICKEL: Coburn also deserves a Wooden Nickel for those comments, which made him look like a sore loser. Coburn found out — especially when one is in the national spotlight — the value of being a gracious loser.