Hector Neris had it his way in triumphant career

HOUSTON – Hector Neris was hungry, so he headed to a local Burger King in Clearwater, Fla., soon after arriving in the United States for the first time. He had limited funds and almost no grasp of the English language.

A year after receiving a modest $16,000 signing bonus from the Philadelphia Phillies out of his native Dominican Republic, Neris had already deployed all of those funds. He gave $4,000 to the “buscon” – or street agent – who trained him as an amateur. Neris kept $3,000 for himself.

Then he exchanged the rest for Dominican pesos to give to his grandmother to help finish building out the two-room home where he was raised. He was already 21 years old when he made his pro debut in the United States in 2011.

Unable to read the menu, Neris ordered a burger. At that time, Burger King proudly vowed to let you “Have it your way.” That slogan worked only if you could tell the cashier how you wanted the burger, and Neris couldn’t speak English. He wanted the patty cooked medium, but the Whopper was well done.  

My “first mistake I go to fast food and I go to Burger King,” Neris recalled Monday. “I ordered something I didn’t want just because I (didn’t) know English. … It didn’t taste … good. I threw it away. I was so hungry, but I didn’t have money to buy a new one.”

Late start

Neris, 36, commanded the English language well by the time he accumulated 10 years of service time in the majors on Monday, which proved to be a bittersweet milestone because the Astros designated him for assignment after that outing against the Red Sox.

Even if Neris never pitches again, his story is one of triumph. He grew up in poverty in Basima, Villa Altagracia. As a child, the right-hander dreamed of being a cattleman and a big leaguer. In a country where the top prospects sign at 16 or 17 years old, Neris struggled to entice a Major League Baseball team.

He was 20 years old before the Phillies took a relatively inexpensive gamble on him. A $16,000 bonus is pittance to an MLB team, but it can be life-altering for a poor kid’s family in the Dominican. 

“When I came here to the United States in 2010 to spring training summer league, It was great because I never (thought) I could make it because I signed at 20 years old,” Neris said.

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Neris made his big league debut on Aug. 5, 2014, for the Phillies in a 2-1 victory over the Astros. He pitched the top of the 15th inning at Citizens Bank Park.

Memorable debut

Neris struck out Jake Marisnick to lead off the inning. He then induced a groundout to the right side from Marwin Gonzalez and then a flyout from Jake Buchanan to shallow center field. The Phillies walked it off against Buchanan in the bottom of the 15th, securing Neris’ first big league victory.

Later that night Neris was informed that he would be optioned back to Class AAA. 

“I’ll never forget the day,” Neris said. “Debut, got sent down the same day. It’s unbelievable.”

The Phillies secured the ball he used to strike out Marisnick. It’s now among the mementos he has collected over a career in which he would post a 43-46 record with a 3.47 ERA.

The man who grew up in a two-room home now lives in a seven-bedroom mansion in the Dominican Republic. He has earned almost $37.5 million over his career. His family couldn’t afford any cattle when Neris was growing up. Now he has a herd of 300 head of cattle.

Along the way, he helped the Astros win the 2022 World Series as one of the leaders of that championship team’s pitching staff. He has been such a respected figure, two different Astros general managers brought him back to Houston.

Dana Brown brought Neris back in August 2024 after the Cubs released him. Brown brought Neris back in July after the Angels released him.

Final milestone

Neris was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA this season with the Astros, giving up 11 runs (7 earned) over 11 ⅔ innings over 12 outings. He made his final outing with the Astros hours after large, inflatable, gold No. 1 and 0 balloons were hung in front of his locker stall at Daikin Park to commemorate his 10 years of service time.

https://twitter.com/astros/status/1955071287920881865

“It makes you (lift your) head up and say, ‘Look at what you made (and what) God gave to you,’” he said. “God gave you the talent to be in this sport. Nobody said it would be easy. It’s hard to make it, but we are part of the group that made it. God blessed you, and I appreciate it.”

The kid who once couldn’t order his Whooper his way gave his final interview as an Astro in English. He’s the picture of triumph, a cattleman, World Series champion and dutiful grandson who now lives in a mansion.