Chris was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1967, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended Vestavia Hills High School.

Attending the University of Alabama, Birmingham his freshman year, and then transferring to Gulf Coast Community College in Florida, Chris was selected in the 6th round of the Amateur Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds in 1986. He reached the Major Leagues in 1990.

Chris played for the Reds from 1990 until 1992 when he was traded to the Florida Marlins where he played until 1997. After a season with the Boston Red Sox, he returned to the Marlins in 1998 when he decided to retire from baseball.

After taking two years off from baseball to help his wife, Lynne, during her pregnancy with their second child, Chris returned to baseball in 2002 for a historic season with the Atlanta Braves. He finished the 2002 season 7-2 with an ERA of .95. Only three players in major league history have ever finished a season with an ERA under 1.00 with a minimum of 70 innings pitched.

In 2003, Chris signed with the New York Yankees.

Chris currently lives in Wedowee, AL with his wife Lynne and his three children, Andy, Jake, and Alex. He has 3 brothers: Steve (who played in the Major Leagues in 1981 for the Kansas City Royals and is currently a Sports Agent), Gary (who lives in Birmingham), and Greg (who played in the Cincinnati organization for 3 years).