Fourteen years ago, one transaction, the kind buried on the scoreboard pages of newspapers across the country, told a larger story about two players going in opposite directions.

“The Chicago Cubs waived veteran left-handed reliever Tony Fossas on Tuesday,” the Associated Press reported, “and called up shortstop Jose Nieves from Double-A.”

Fossas was near the end of 12-year career, and Nieves was just beginning a five-year run in the big leagues. Now, all these years later, the two will team up in Dayton. Nieves will manage the Dragons in 2013, the club announced Wednesday, and Fossas will be the pitching coach.

“I’m pretty excited,” Nieves said. “When I received the news, I didn’t hesitate. I don’t know the city, but I hear a lot of good things from the players and coaches. It’s awesome. Dayton is sold out every day.”

Nieves, 37, replaces Delino DeShields, who managed the Dragons for two seasons. DeShields will take the reins for Double-A Pensacola. Pensacola’s manager in 2012, Jim Riggleman, moves up to Triple-A Louisville.

Nieves spent the last two seasons managing the Reds’ Arizona League club in Goodyear. His first gig with the Reds was in 2010, when he managed a Reds affiliate in his native Venezuela.

Nieves, an infielder, played in 212 Major League games with the Cubs (1998-2000) and Angels (2001-02). He hit. .289 in 45 games with the 2002 Angels, who won the World Series.

Fossas, 55, pitched in 567 games from 1988 to 1999 with seven teams. This will be his fifth season in the Reds organization and second stint with the Dragons (2009-11). In 2011, his pitching staff set the Midwest League record for strikeouts in a season and broke the Dragons’ record for team ERA. Last season, Fossas was a pitching coach at the rookie level with Billings (Mont.).

“It’s really great to come back to Dayton,” Fossas said. “They have a great organization. Everything about the Dragons is first class. Through my first three years of coaching there, I met some really good friends and good families in their booster club and their front office. I miss everybody.”

Many of the players Fossas had last year in Billings will be with the Dragons this year.

“I’m excited about the team, but there are so many things that can happen in the future, I try not to get too excited,” Fossas said. “I’m a believer in waiting to see how the product looks on the field. Every team that leaves spring training thinks they have something special.”

The Dragons also announced that last year’s pitching coach, Tom Browning, and hitting coach, Alex Pelaez, will remain with the organization but with other affiliates. Their exact destination wasn’t announced.

Tyler Steele will return to the Dragons for a fifth season as athletic trainer.