Billy Bean, MLB Ambassador for Inclusion, passed away at his home on Tuesday after battling acute myeloid leukemia for a year. As a former baseball player for the Detroit Tigers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Diego Padres, Bean was the second former MLB player to come out as gay in 1999, before assuming roles in LGBTQ inclusion and advancing social justice initiatives within the sport. Commissioner Rob Manfred described Bean as one of the kindest and most respected individuals, who made baseball a better institution both on and off the field.
MLB released a statement expressing deep sadness over the passing of Billy Bean, who had been serving as MLB’s Senior VP for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Bean’s contributions over the last 10 years included player education and promoting equality in the game for all. His impact was noted in a memoir he published in 2014, titled *Going the Other Way: An Intimate Memoir of Life In and Out of Major League Baseball.
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In 1999, Bean became the “first major league baseball player to publicly discuss his homosexuality to this extent.” His story and perspectives were shared, painting a picture of his upbringing and values instilled by his mother, the importance of family, and his dedication to making a positive impact. Bean’s legacy extends beyond his baseball career, emphasizing the importance of impacting others’ lives regardless of statistics and achievements in sports.
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