About the Author

Clay was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a protestant minister and moved the family to Kentucky and then to Indiana. Clay participated in a number of sports during his youth but focused on baseball throughout his years at Lafayette Jefferson High School. He attended Middle Tennessee State University on a baseball scholarship, receiving a degree in Business Administration. He left college as the school's all-time hits leader and broke the same record for the Ohio Valley Conference.

Drafted in the 24th round of the 1997 professional baseball draft by the San Diego Padres, Clay spent six season playing minor league baseball. His career was highlighted by three all-star selections and a batting title.

Clay and his wife Erin married in 2002 and currently reside in Tennessee. Aside from writing, Clay runs Bases Loaded, a baseball and softball school for kids. He also works as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Clay's favorites:

Books
The Firm (Grisham's most famous made me want to read and write fiction)
The Alienist (Caleb Carr gives history texture and suspense)
Into Thin Air (Krakauer turns a mountain into a living, breathing adversary)

Movies
The Shawshank Redemption (Morgan Freeman is a fine actor)
The Matrix (Like nothing I had seen before)

Albums
Back to Front (Lionel Richie's greatest hits)

Athletes
Ricky Hatton (Tough, entertaining boxer)
Dale Murphy (My all-time favorite Brave)

TV Shows
The X-files (Moulder and Scully made it great)
Quantum Leap (Scott Bakula's brilliant)
Law and Order (Jack McCoy's astonished looks at witnesses can make an episode)

Magazines
Sports Illustrated (Any magazine smart enough to put my picture in it, rocks)