Former major league pitcher Steve Avery threw his hands in the air in celebration of winning a new car at Cabrini (Mich.) High School's homecoming football game on Sept. 30. The only problem was that he didn't actually win.
Avery, who spent 11 seasons in the majors, including two with the Red Sox in 1997 and 1998, had his raffle ticket drawn for a chance to win a two-year lease on a Ford Mustang, according to The Macomb Daily. All he had to do — or so he thought — was hit a target from 20 yards away within 30 seconds.
With a few seconds remaining, Avery reportedly hit the target, much to his delight and the delight of the fans in attendance.
But Avery's triumph was short-lived.
Tricia Reed, who is in charge of leasing and customer relations at Taylor Ford (the event's sponsor), said there was some confusion about the rules. Apparently, the former World Series champion had 30 seconds to hit 10 targets — rather than just the one target he hit.
Reed said that these stipulations were known at the ticket booths and that it was printed on the tickets, so she's unsure of where the confusion came from.
A photo of Avery posing with a football, the target and Taylor Ford employees has been taken off the dealership’s Facebook page, reports The Macomb Daily.
Avery was 96-83 with a 4.19 ERA in his major-league career. He played for the Braves, Red Sox, Reds and Tigers. Most of his success came with Atlanta, where he spent seven seasons, earned a trip to the 1993 All-Star Game and won a World Series title in 1995. The 41-year-old last played in 2003.
