Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Higginson attended Frankford High School and played college baseball at Temple University.

[1] He was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 18th round of the 1991 MLB Draft, but opted not to sign.

Since the award's inception in 1965, eleven players have been named "Tiger of the Year" on multiple occasions: Higginson, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Travis Fryman, Cecil Fielder, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, Ron LeFlore, Jeimer Candelario and Denny McLain.

Higginson is also known for breaking up a no-hitter in the ninth inning and two out during a game in Toronto on September 27, 1998, with a pinch-hit home run.

[6] The pitcher, future Hall of Famer Roy Halladay, was making his second-ever MLB appearance, and ended up winning his first career game, 2–1.