Jeremy Giambi Suffered a Serious Head Injury 6 Months Before He Died by Suicide: Coroner

Giambi was struck in the head with a baseball in Aug. 2021 and "had not been the same since," his mother told authorities

Jeremy Giambi
Photo: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

More details are coming out about what unfolded in the months before Jeremy Giambi died by suicide.

The former Oakland Athletics player died in early February at age 47. His cause of death was confirmed as a suicide two days later.

A report from the L.A. County coroner, obtained by PEOPLE Thursday, reveals that Giambi was hit with a baseball in Aug. 2021, breaking his cheekbone.

Giambi "had not been the same since," the incident, his mother, who found him unresponsive after his death, told authorities per the coroner's report. She said the athlete was "very negative, emotional, and paranoid" following the injury.

She shared that although the Giambi, who was working as a pitching coach at the time, had surgery to treat the injury, he "seemed different." He also went to a neurologist but was never officially diagnosed with any condition. She said after the injury, Giambi was "very negative and would let the smallest things ruin his day."

Following Giambi's death, a number of MLB teams as well as current and former stars shared their condolences to the Giambi family.

Alex Rodriguez, who played on the New York Yankees with Giambi's older brother Jason, wrote on Twitter, "Heartbroken to hear the news about Jeremy Giambi's passing. He was the ultimate competitor on the diamond. Just 47, gone way too soon. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP."

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The Oakland A's shared a statement via their official Twitter account: "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of a member of our Green and Gold family, Jeremy Giambi. We offer our condolences to Jeanne, Jason, and his family and friends."

The Philadelphia Phillies, for whom Giambi played in 2002, also issued a statement on Twitter: "The Phillies are saddened to hear the news of Jeremy Giambi's tragic passing. Our condolences go out to his family during this very difficult time."

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Giambi played a career total of 510 games during his time in the MLB, clocking in 52 home runs, 209 RBIs, and had a .263 batting average over six years in the league, according to Baseball-Reference.

In addition to being an integral part of the four organizations he played for from the late '90s to early 2000s, Jeremy and his older brother, Jason, were portrayed in the 2011 movie Moneyball.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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