The following took place during the 2008 winter:
Once upon a time there lived a young boy. He wasn’t so young. In fact, he was 26. His name was Fernando Alexis Nieve, and he was a pitcher that had been buried in the Houston Astros’ organization for almost 10 seasons. He had glimpses of time in the big leagues, but nothing substantial.
Since being signed as an amateur free agent in 1999, Nieve had pitched just 25.1 innings at the big league level. His ERA was above six, and the future looked bleak.
But then something happened.
As Fernando was lying in his bed one night, a small voice was heard. “Fernando, are you awake?” said the voice. Fernando quickly bounces to his feet to see the source of the voice. He didn’t see anyone. Then the voice came back one more time. “Down here Fernando. I am here to help you.”
Finally Fernando looked down to see a cricket next to his bed. He got down on a knee to look closer, and the cricket started to sing.
“When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you!
If your heart is in your dreams
No request is to extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do!
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
As sweet fulfillment of their secret drowns
Like a boat out of the blue
Fate steps in and see’s you through!
Moma when you wished upon a star
Your dreams come true!”
All of a sudden, the cricket disappeared, and Fernando was alone once again. He looked out the window and saw a star that was glowing much brighter than the rest. He closed his eyes and wished for his luck to change, figuring that he had nothing really to lose, and the next morning, it would all change.
“Fernando, I know you have been in our organization for a long time, but that time is over. I was calling to inform you that we put you through waivers, and the New York Mets put in a claim. Pack your bags, because your flight leaves in two hours.”
That is the message that Nieve woke up to in the morning, and the next thing he knew, he was wearing orange and blue.
After a short time in the minors, Nieve was called up to start against the Yankees, and he promptly shut them down in their own building. He followed that start with another good one, and he is now 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA in that span. Tonight, he looks to continue his fairy-tale story when he hooks up with Brad Thompson and the Cardinals.
Hopefully, the fairy tale will continue for the immediate future.
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