A heart attack claimed the life of 57-year-old baseball player Bob Welch on Monday night at his home in Seal Beach, California.

The former Oakland Athletics player was a 1990 AL Cy Young Award winner who won at least 25 games in a season during his last major league.

In a report by ABC News, the police responded to a medical call and discovered Welch dead inside his own bathroom. The result of the autopsy result conducted is yet to be released.

Aside from playing for the Athletics, Welch also played 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers who also expressed sympathies on their former player's death.

Coach Mark McGwire told ABC in an interview that Welch was a fierce competitor. The two were teammates in Oakland.

"I wish there were more teammates like him throughout the game today," McGwire added.

The same report noted that the pitcher admitted he was an alcoholic early in his career and spent some time in rehabilitation. In the process, he was able to co-write a book with George Vecsey about his addiction entitled "Five O'Clock Comes Early: A Ballplayer's Battle With Alcoholism."

He mentioned in the book that he acts crazy when he is drunk and that there's every chance that he would have been dead because of his drinking.

The Washington Post reported that Welch rebounded in his pitching along with his recovery. He was an all-star in 1980 and helped the Dodgers bag a World Series title in 1981.

He was traded to Oakland in 1988 and won 17 games on the same year.

The Washington Post also mentioned that he pitched poorly during the next year and also gave up a home run. He is recognized as a pitcher with one of the most remarkable seasons.

Welch became coach of the Arizona State University and Diamonbacks after he retired. He was instrumental in the team's victory against the Yankees in the World Series. He also played as a special instructor of the Athletics for their spring training.

Sports illustrated noted that Welch left behind a "strong legacy"  as a player and as a coach.

Athletics president Michael Crowley, meanwhile, sent his condolences to the family of Welch saying he "deeply saddened" by the athelete's passing.

He told Sporting News that Welch will be a significant part of the franchise's history and that the whole team and management mourn his loss.