Billy Bean, a former Major League Baseball player who came out as gay in 1999 and later served as the sport’s senior vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, has passed away at the age of 60. MLB confirmed his death, stating that he died at home on Tuesday following a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
At an event in Oakland, California, players honored Bean with a moment of silence. Originally from California, Bean played six seasons in the majors from 1987 to 1995, debuting with the Detroit Tigers where he had an impressive four-hit game. He also had stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. As a standout at Loyola Marymount, he was a two-time All-American outfielder and helped lead the team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986.
Bean authored the book “Going the Other Way” and was a prominent speaker at various events. He made history as the second former major leaguer to publicly come out, following Glenn Burke.
In 2014, Bean joined MLB’s commissioner’s office as its first Ambassador for Inclusion, a position offered to him by former Commissioner Bud Selig. Over a decade, he rose to the role of senior vice president, where he worked to promote equality within the sport.
At Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs and their fans observed a moment of silence in memory of Bean. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed profound sadness over Bean’s passing, describing him as one of the kindest and most respected figures in the game, who dedicated himself to making a positive impact on the lives of others.