Billy Bean, MLB's Pioneer for Inclusion, Dies at 60
– Billy Bean, former Major League Baseball player and LGBTQ+ advocate, has died at 60 from leukemia.–
– Bean publicly came out in 1999, a few years after his MLB career, becoming the second major leaguer to do so.–
– He served as MLB’s senior vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, dedicating his career to promoting inclusivity.–
– MLB confirmed his death, noting his passing occurred at home after a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia.–
– Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Bean for his kindness and significant impact within the baseball community.– – –
– Bean had a notable MLB career spanning six seasons, debuting with the Detroit Tigers in 1987 and also playing for the Dodgers and Padres.– –
Like&Share
– He was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount and contributed to their NCAA World Series appearance in 1986.–
– Bean authored a book, "Going the Other Way," and was a keynote speaker, sharing his experiences and advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility.– –
– Many former teammates were supportive of Bean’s coming out, including Brad Ausmus and Trevor Hoffman.–
1. Bean joined MLB in 2014 as Ambassador for Inclusion, working tirelessly to foster an inclusive and supportive environment in baseball. He is survived by his husband, Greg Baker.