Former MLB Player Jeremy Giambi Dies At 47 By Suicide

Jeremy Giambi, former MLB outfielder and first baseman and a key player on those dangerous Oakland A’s teams of the early 2000s, not to mention brother of Jason Giambi, died at his parents’ home on Wednesday, his agent Joel Wolfe said at 47.

Officers responding around 11:30 a.m. local time to reports of a medical emergency found the former slugger dead at his parents’ Claremont home near L.A. The cause of death was suicide by a gunshot wound.

The family requests “that we all respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

Giambi played six seasons in the majors, including with the aforementioned Jason on the A’s in 2000 and 2001.

Perhaps the “highlight” of his career came during the 2001 postseason when he was tagged out at home plate on the business end of Derek Jeter’s legendary Flip Play during Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees.

Giambi was a highly productive member of that A’s team, which won 102 regular-season games, batting .283/.391/.450 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of a member of our Green and Gold family, Jeremy Giambi,” the A’s said in a statement. “We offer our condolences to Jeanne, Jason, and his family and friends.”

Giambi was also a member of the 2002 team whose season was chronicled in the 2003 book and later motion picture Moneyball. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in May of that year for utilityman John Mabry. He finished the 2002 season with 20 home runs.

Giambi was born in San Jose, attended South Hills High in West Covina, and starred on the Cal State Fullerton team that won the 1995 College World Series. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Kansas City Royals the next year.

“We stand with the baseball world in mourning the loss of Jeremy Giambi,” the Royals said. “Our condolences go to his family and everyone who loved him.”

Through parts of six seasons from 1998 to 2003, Giambi batted .263 with 52 home runs and 209 RBIs while playing for the Royals, A’s, Phils and Boston Red Sox.

Two years after his career ended, in March 2005, Giambi told newspapers that he knowingly used steroids during his time in MLB, becoming one of the first notable players to make such an admission. Jason was also embroiled in a steroids scandal of his own.