Billy Bean, a former Major League Baseball player who came out as gay in 1999 and later became MLB’s Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has died at 60.
MLB confirmed his death, stating that he passed away at home after a nearly year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Bean was a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports and made significant contributions to promoting diversity within baseball.
Billy Bean, a California native, played in Major League Baseball for six seasons from 1987 to 1995. He made a memorable debut with the Detroit Tigers, tying a record by getting four hits in his first game.
He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Before his MLB career, he was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount University, where he helped lead the team to the Men’s College World Series in 1986.
Billy Bean, who publicly came out as gay in 1999, was the second former Major League Baseball player to do so, following Glenn Burke in 1982. Bean authored the book “Going the Other Way” and was a frequent keynote speaker at various events.
In 2014, he joined MLB’s commissioner’s office as the league’s first ambassador for inclusion, a position created by former commissioner Bud Selig.
Over more than a decade with MLB, Bean was promoted to senior vice president, where he continued his work advocating for diversity and inclusion in the sport.
“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn our dear friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others.”
