Billy Bean, a special adviser to commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB’s senior vice president for diversity, equality, and inclusion, has died at 60 while fighting a battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was diagnosed with cancer last September.
Rob Manfred released a statement about his death.
“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. 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.”
He also became the second openly gay player when he announced it in an interview with the Miami Herald in 1999.
He appeared in parts of six MLB seasons for the Tigers, Padres, and Dodgers as an outfielder/first baseman.
After retiring from the game in 1995, he left baseball. He returned to the game only when MLB appointed him as its first ambassador for inclusion in 2014.
He worked with MLB teams to, according to the league, “advance equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders throughout baseball to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone.”
