Jeremy Giambi, Ex-Oakland A's Player Who Gained Fame In Film 'Moneyball,' Dies

OAKLAND, CA — Jeremy Giambi, who played outfield, designated hitter and first base during a career that spanned six MLB seasons, most notably with the Oakland Athletics, has died. He was 47.

Giambi played two seasons with the Kansas City Royals in the late 1990s and three seasons with the Oakland A's in the early 2000s before playing stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. He retired in 2003.

The A's tweeted Wednesday the team was "heartbroken" to learn of his death.

"We offer our condolences to Jeanne, Jason, and his family and friends," the team said.

Born Sept. 30, 1974, in San Jose, Giambi went on to attend South Hills High School in West Covina, California. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 1996 MLB June Amateur Draft out of California State University, Fullerton.

Joel Wolfe, Giambi's agent, told NBCSports he died at his parents’ home in southern California. Further details weren't immediately available. TMZ reported, citing law enforcement sources, that officials believe he took his own life.

In about 500 games over his career, Giambi hit for an average of .263 with 52 home runs and 209 RBIs.

While Giambi was perhaps known best during his playing days as the brother of slugger Jason Giambi — who won the American League MVP in 2000 — he gained national fame post-retirement for his portrayal in the hit 2011 film "Moneyball," which was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor. The film grossed about $110 million at the box office.

In the flick, Brad Pitt played A's general manager Billy Beane, Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed head coach Art Howe, and Jonah Hill played the fictional statistician and analyst Peter Brand. Nick Porrazzo portrayed Jeremy Giambi in the film as a player who was fine with losing games as long as he was partying.

In December 2001, authorities found Giambi with marijuana at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. He was cited for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and released. Four years later, The Kansas City Star reported that he acknowledged using steroids.

Before being traded, Jeremy Giambi was part of the Athletics' spectacular 2001 season, in which the team finished with a sparkling record of 102-60, good for second in the AL West. The team lost in the AL Division Series to the New York Yankees that year 3-2.

In 2002, Oakland traded him to the Phillies for John Mabry. Following the season, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Josh Hancock.

Tributes poured in for Giambi from fans, former teammates and players across MLB.

"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 needs help," A's teammate and starting pitcher Barry Zito told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Billy Beane, now executive vice president of the A's, told the newspaper he'll remember Giambi as a "fun guy, a good guy, and an underrated player, particularly an underrated hitter."

"He was quite frankly an important piece of probably the best team we've had since I've been here, that 2001 team," Beane said.

"Heartbroken to hear the news about Jeremy Giambi’s passing," said Alex Rodriguez. "He was the ultimate competitor on the diamond. Just 47, gone way too soon. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP."

"Just heard that Jeremy Giambi has passed away," tweeted former outfielder and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "I am shocked and so saddened. God bless the Giambi family. So awful. Please send prayers..."

Some fans said they remembered Giambi best as being on the other side of Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter's so-called "flip play" on Oct. 13, 2001.

In the play, Jeter makes an incredible play, taking a throw from right field and flipping it to catcher Jorge Posada, who tagged out a sliding Giambi at home plate. The play came during the seventh inning of game three of the 2001 American League Division Series and helped turn the momentum of the series. The Yankees ultimately ended up winning despite dropping the first two games to the A's.