Steve Avery is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers during his career. He was born on April 14, 1970, in Trenton, Michigan, and was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 1988 MLB draft.
Avery made his MLB debut in 1990 and quickly became a key member of the Braves' starting rotation. He helped lead the team to the World Series in 1991, where they lost to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. Avery pitched in three games during the series, including a complete game shutout in Game 2.
In 1993, Avery had his best season, going 18-6 with a 2.94 ERA and finishing third in the National League Cy Young Award voting. He also helped the Braves reach the World Series again, where they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games. Avery pitched in two games during the series, including a complete game victory in Game 4.
Avery continued to pitch for the Braves through the 1996 season, but injuries and inconsistency began to take their toll. He signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in 1997 but struggled with injuries and poor performance. He was traded to the Reds in 1999 but again struggled with injuries and was released after the season.
Avery attempted a comeback with the Tigers in 2003 but was released during spring training. He retired from baseball shortly thereafter with a career record of 96-83 and a 4.19 ERA.
Despite his relatively short career, Avery was a key member of the Braves' dominant pitching staff in the early 1990s and played a significant role in the team's success during that time. He was known for his smooth left-handed delivery and his ability to pitch effectively in big games.
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