Billy Bean, who was the second former Major League Baseball player to publicly come out as gay, has passed away at the age of 60 after battling leukemia.
Bean publicly announced his sexual orientation in 1999, shortly after his professional playing career concluded, and he subsequently took on the role of MLB’s senior vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Major League Baseball issued a statement confirming his passing. Bean died at home on Tuesday following a year-long struggle with acute myeloid leukemia.
“Our hearts are heavy today as we remember our beloved friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the most compassionate and esteemed people I have ever met,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred commented in a statement. “Billy was a friend to many in our community, and he truly made a difference through his unwavering commitment to helping others.”
The California native competed in six major league seasons from 1987 to 1995, debuting with the Detroit Tigers in a remarkable four-hit game that set a record for debut performances. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Bean was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount, where he led his team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986.
Bean authored a book titled Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and Out of Major-League Baseball and frequently served as a keynote speaker at numerous events. He came out publicly in 1999, becoming the second former major leaguer to do so after Glenn Burke.
Later, he shared with the Miami Herald that many of his former teammates rallied around him after his coming out.
“When I spoke with guys like Brad [Ausmus] or Trevor Hoffman, it wasn’t an inquisition like, ‘I can’t believe you told everyone – what do you do in bed?’ Instead, it was more like, ‘Next time you’re back on the West Coast, let’s go surfing again.’”
Bean joined the commissioner’s office in 2014, taking on the role of MLB’s first Ambassador for Inclusion. He dedicated over a decade to MLB, ultimately being promoted to senior vice president.
Bean collaborated with MLB clubs to promote “equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders in baseball, ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone.”
He is survived by his husband, Greg Baker.
