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Jeremy Dean Giambi (/dʒiˈɑːmbi/; September 30, 1974 – February 9, 2022) was an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox, from 1998 through 2003. Giambi also played in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox organizations. He was the younger brother of former MLB player Jason Giambi.

Early life[edit]

Like his older brother Jason, Jeremy Giambi attended South Hills High School in West Covina, California. He attended California State University, Fullerton and played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Titans won the 1995 College World Series.^[2] In 1994, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.^[3]

Professional career[edit]

The Kansas City Royals selected Giambi in the sixth round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft.^[4] Giambi made his major league debut as a September call-up for the Royals in 1998.^[5] The Athletics acquired Giambi from the Royals in exchange for Brett Laxton prior to the 2000 season.^[6]

During the 2002 season, the Athletics traded Giambi to the Philadelphia Phillies for John Mabry.^[7] After the 2002 season, the Phillies traded Giambi to the Boston Red Sox for Josh Hancock.^[8] He last played in the majors in 2003 for the Red Sox.^[9] After being released by the Red Sox, Giambi signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004^[10] and the Chicago White Sox in 2005.^[11]

Drugs and steroids[edit]

On December 10, 2001, Giambi was caught with marijuana at a checkpoint at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. He was cited for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and released.^[12]

On March 13, 2005, The Kansas City Star reported that Giambi had admitted to having used anabolic steroids.^[13] His brother Jason has also admitted to using steroids according to grand jury testimony that has been leaked to the press. On December 13, 2007, Giambi was named in the Mitchell Report on steroid usage in baseball.^[14]

Personal life and death[edit]

Giambi was mentioned in Michael Lewis's book Moneyball as one of the players acquired to replace his brother, and became a character in the film that starred Brad Pitt, with Giambi portrayed by Nick Porrazzo.^[15][16]

Giambi was found dead at his parents' home in Claremont, California at 11:40 am on February 9, 2022, according to a spokesperson for the Claremont Police Department. He was 47.^[1][17]