Graduated from Brewer High School in Fort Worth, Texas…was an all-district baseball selection but was better known for his basketball prowess…attended Vernon College in North Texas and had 17 home runs after never hitting more than 2 in high school…transferred to University of Miami and became 2nd-team All-America selection by Baseball Weekly and Collegiate Baseball as junior in 1998…set UM record his final year with 95 RBI, record that still stands…also led Hurricanes as senior in HRs (20), 2Bs (20) and total bases (172)…was teammate of Phillies Pat Burrell…selected by Tampa Bay in 5th round of 1998 First Year Player Draft and was signed by Devil Rays scout Rudy Santin…married former Barbara (Baubi) Heaton on January 27, 2007…they have one son, Jayce (9/4/08).