Former major league baseball outfielder Jeremy Giambi passed away on Wednesday at his parents’ home in Southern California, as reported by his agent and confirmed by the Oakland Athletics. He was 47.
Giambi’s major league career spanned from 1998-2003, three years of which (2000-2002) were spent with the A’s in Oakland. From 2000-2001 Giambi shared the A’s clubhouse with his older brother Jason.
“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 also played for the Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and finished his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2003.
Both Giambi brothers were featured in Michael Lewis’ famous 2003 book “Moneyball” with Jeremy Giambi portrayed on screen in the film version that was released in 2011.
“I am completely shocked by the news about Jeremy,” Former teammate Barry Zito told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. “He was an incredibly loving human being with a very soft heart and it was evident to us as his teammates that he had some deeper battles going on.
“I hope this can be a wake up call for people out there to not go at it alone and for families and friends to trust their intuition When they feel somebody close to them needs help. God bless Jeremy and his family in this difficult time.”
No cause of death has been reported or confirmed.