by Cary Osborne
Billy Bean, a trailblazing force in Major League Baseball and a leader in the LGBTQ community and for diversity, equity and inclusion, passed away on Tuesday after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
He was 60.
The former six-year Major Leaguer played for the Dodgers in 1989 and 10 years later came out publicly as gay. He was the second Major Leaguer to come out after former Dodger Glenn Burke.
Bean joined the Office of the Commissioner on July 14, 2014, first hired by Commissioner of Baseball Allan H. (Bud) Selig as MLB’s first-ever Ambassador for Inclusion. As a senior advisor to Commissioner Rob Manfred, Bean’s role focused on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives.
Among his responsibilities, Bean worked with MLB’s 30 Clubs to advance equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders throughout baseball to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone.
Bean was a frequent guest of honor at Dodgers Pride Night events.
“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn our dear friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known,” Manfred said. “Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others. He made baseball a better institution, both on and off the field, by the power of his example, his empathy, his communication skills, his deep relationships inside and outside our sport, and his commitment to doing the right thing. We are forever grateful for the enduring impact that Billy made on the game he loved, and we will never forget him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Billy’s husband, Greg Baker, and their entire family.”
Bean, an outfielder/first baseman and Santa Ana native, played for Detroit (1987–89), the Dodgers (1989) and San Diego (1993–95). He appeared in 51 games for the Dodgers in 1989 and had a lifetime .226/.266/.308/.574 slash line with five home runs in 272 Major League games.
His biggest impact has been after his playing career, where his advocacy and work have been instrumental in social change across Major League Baseball stadiums.
Former Dodger and pioneering executive Billy Bean passes away was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.