Billy Bean, the second openly gay former Major League Baseball player, has passed away at the age of 60. He died at home on Tuesday after battling acute myeloid leukemia for a year.
Bean’s death was confirmed in a statement from Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 1987 with the Detroit Tigers and played for six seasons until 1995. Notably, he tied a record for a player with a four-hit performance in his first game. Throughout his career, he also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.
A two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount, Bean led his team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986. He publically came out as gay in 1999, becoming the second former major league player to do so after Glenn Burke.
In addition to his playing career, Bean authored a book titled “Going the Other Way” and served as a keynote speaker at various events. He joined MLB’s office in 2014 as the league’s first Ambassador for Inclusion, a role created by then-Commissioner Bud Selig. Over the course of more than a decade, Bean worked to promote equality and create a more inclusive environment within baseball.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his sorrow over Bean’s passing, calling him a kind and respected friend who made a significant impact through his dedication to others.