Phoenix —It is in Jimmy Nelson's genetic code to be an intense, hard worker.
Nelson's parents, Jim and Deb, instilled a work ethic in their son at an early age, teaching him the best money spent was money he earned.
"I was raised to work for what you want," recalled the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander, who grew up in the Florida panhandle in the quaintly named town of Niceville.
"I had my own job and paid for my own stuff. Even later when I got a car, I paid for my own gas."
Nelson's parents also passed along some pretty nice athletic genes.