Billy Bean, the former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports has passed away. He was 60-years-old.
Major League Baseball posted the sad news about Bean’s death on X. The post stated Bean “fought a heroic year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Billy, who fought a heroic year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, was 60.
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2024
Over the last 10 years,… pic.twitter.com/dCfFM6hQlE
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner,” the MLB stated.
“Over the last 10 years, Billy worked passionately and tirelessly with MLB and all 30 Clubs, focusing on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives to advance equality in the game for all,” per MLB.
Commissioner Rob Manfred, remembered Bean as “one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known [and someone who] made Baseball a better institution, both on and off the field.”
We mourn the passing of Billy Bean, a former Dodger and pioneering executive who as MLB’s Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion truly elevated the culture and spirit of the game he loved. pic.twitter.com/fFykeWFWbi
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 6, 2024
Bean’s baseball career began with high expectations. He was a standout player at Loyola Marymount University before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. Bean made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1987, and over the next few years, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Despite his potential, Bean’s playing career was marked by challenges. He never quite achieved the success expected of him. He retired in 1995 with a career batting average of .226.
While his career statistics may not have been remarkable, Bean’s life off the field was where he made his most significant impact. For much of his career, Bean lived in the closet, hiding his sexuality due to the fear of discrimination. The pressure of maintaining this secret took a toll on him both personally and professionally. The turning point came in 1995, shortly after the death of his partner, which led to Bean’s decision to retire from baseball.
In 1999, Bean made the courageous decision to come out publicly as gay, becoming one of the very few former MLB players to do so. This decision was groundbreaking, as it provided visibility and representation for LGBTQ+ individuals in professional sports, a realm where such representation was severely lacking.
After coming out, Bean became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, using his platform to speak out about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes. His autobiography, “Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of Major League Baseball,” published in 2003, candidly recounts his experiences of being a closeted gay man in the world of professional baseball and his life after coming out.
Bean’s advocacy reached a new level in 2014 when Major League Baseball appointed him as its first Ambassador for Inclusion. In this role, Bean worked to support LGBTQ+ inclusion and acceptance within the sport. He traveled to various teams, spoke with players, coaches, and executives about the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 2018, Bean was promoted to Vice President and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. His work has not only helped to foster a more open environment within baseball but has also inspired other professional sports leagues to take similar steps toward inclusion.
Rest In Peace
