Graduated in 2000 from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga....was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia in 2000, when he was also an All-State selection in football...as a football player, was named All-State as a place kicker and All- Region as a wide receiver in 1999...was a first-round selection by Atlanta (29th overall) in the June 2000 free-agent draft...was voted by his teammates as recipient of the Darryl Kile award in 2008...he and his wife, Jenny, reside in St. Simons, Ga. and have two daughters, Baylie Grace (9/10/06) and Morgan Addison (10/22/08)...his hobbies include golf and fishing.

Went 11-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 20 starts during an injury shortened season...Cards went 15-5 in his 20 games started...Was on the disabled list and missed 65 games from 6/8-8/22 due to a right middle finger sprain...Made three rehab appearances, two at Memphis (AAA) and one at Springfield (AA) and combined to allow five runs on 12 hits in 8.1 IP while walking two and fanning 10 (5.40 ERA)...Was tabbed as the team's Opening Day starter 3/31 vs. COL, and pitched 3.0 innings before rain forced a postponement and canceled out a 5-1 lead...Opponents batted just .192 (30-156) off him during six starts, 4/16-5/12...Opponents batted just .192 (30-156) off him during six starts, 4/16-5/12...Was forced out of his start on 6/7 at HOU after 5.0 IP with a sprain to his right middle finger...Has a current and career-high 6-game winning streak that began on 6/7 at HOU...Went 5-0, 3.35 ERA (40.1 IP/15 ER) with 15 BB & 29 K in his seven starts after coming off the DL...Was 7-1 with a 2.63 ERA (78.2 IP / 23 ER) in 11 starts at home...Two of his three losses came on the road over nine starts (4-2, 4.05 ERA)...Was a perfect 3-0 in three starts with a 1.64 ERA vs. the N.L. East...3-1 with a 2.23 ERA in five starts vs. the West and 5-2, 3.88 in 11 Central-division starts...Pitched 6.0 or more innings in 15 of his 20 starts, over 6.0 IP in 11 starts and 8.0 innings or more in five of 20 starts...STL scored 107 runs when he pitched for a team-high 5.4 run support avg.