Jeremy Giambi was hit in face by baseball months before suicide: medical examiner

Jeremy Giambi suffered a serious facial injury about six months before he died by suicide, according to a coroner’s report.

Giambi was struck in the face by a baseball in August 2021, TMZ reported Thursday. The injury not only caused physical damage but led to a series of mental health problems for Giambi, who battled depression and paranoia.

Jeremy Giambi played parts of three seasons with the Oakland A's in the early 2000s. (Jed Jacobsohn/)

The 47-year-old was found dead at his parents’ home in Claremont, Calif., on Feb. 9. Investigators determined that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Officers found a note at the scene.

Giambi, the brother of Yankees star Jason, had a history of drug use but was completely sober at the time of his death, according to TMZ.

Witnesses told the medical examiner that after the injury and resulting surgery, Giambi was “depressed,” “paranoid” and “very emotional, very negative and would let the smallest things ruin his day,” TMZ reported. Neurological scans failed to diagnose any issue.

Jeremy Giambi is tagged out at home in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS against the Yankees after Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter flipped the ball to catcher Jorge Posada. (ERIC RISBERG/)

The report said Giambi was working as a pitching coach when he was injured, but that would strongly contrast with his career as a slugging designated hitter. A GoFundMe post for Giambi’s family said he was working as a private hitting coach in Montclair, Calif., when he was injured.

“Jeremy had suffered a traumatic injury while coaching. Jeremy was struck in the face with a baseball during a hitting lesson causing severe damage to his face,” the post read.

“After recovering from the broken bones in his face, Jeremy began suffering from severe emotional distress and depression. The accident traumatized and changed the Jeremy we all loved and adored so much.”