FORMER MLB player and executive Billy Bean has died at age 60.
Bean was diagnosed with leukemia in December last year and succumbed to his battle with cancer.
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Bean served as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Special Assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred.
He played six years in the MLB with the Tigers, Dodgers and Padres.
Major League Baseball released a statement following his passing.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Billy Bean, MLB’s senior vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and special assistant to the commissioner,” said the statement read.
“Billy, who fought a heroic year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia, was 60 years old. Over the past 10 years, Billy has worked passionately and tirelessly with MLB and all 30 clubs, focusing on player education, LGBTQ inclusion and social justice initiatives to promote equality in the game for all.
“Billy’s 10-year playing career included six Major League seasons with the Tigers, Dodgers and Padres.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred referred to Bean as “one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever met” in a statement after his death.
“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn our dear friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected people I have ever known,” Manfred said.
“Billy was friends with countless people in our game and made a difference through his constant dedication to others.
“He made baseball a better institution, on and off the field, through 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 will be forever grateful for the lasting impact Billy made on the game he loved and will never forget him.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Billy’s husband, Greg Baker, and his entire family.”
Bean was a baseball pioneer during his playing days, becoming only the second MLB player to publicly play the game in 1999.
He reached the major leagues in 1987 and tied a record by recording four hits in his debut with the Tigers.
2024 MLB All-Star Starters
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
FROM: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
Defense: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
FROM: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Bean was a lifetime .226 hitter and hit five home runs in his career in addition to hitting 54 RBI.
He first joined the Commissioner’s Office in July 2014 as an Ambassador for Inclusion.
His work has primarily focused on player education, LBGTQ inclusion, and social justice.
Bean has worked with baseball clubs to ensure equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, staff and stakeholders.
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