Jeff Zimmerman launched an impressive professional career following his time as a member of the Indian Hills Baseball squad. After a standout season in Centerville, Zimmerman moved on to Texas Christian University from 1991-93.

As a member of the Horned Frogs, Zimmerman won a team-high eight games during his senior season before embarking on an eight-year professional career. Zimmerman's post-collegiate career began in France before venturing back to the United States to compete in the Northern League as well as a spot on the 1996 Canadian National Team.

Zimmerman's pitching prowess caught the attention of the Texas Rangers and signed with the MLB club in 1998. Zimmerman's rapid rise resulted in a third-place finish in the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year voting and was named a 1999 AL All-Star. Zimmerman pitched for the Rangers for three seasons and saved a career-best 28 games in 2001 where he was named the team's Pitcher of the Year.