Drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round in 1986, played three seasons in Detroit and made a notable debut on April 25, 1987, with four hits, tying an MLB record. After spending just over two years with the Tigers, he was traded to the Dodgers and later moved to Japan for a season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Billy Bean returned to MLB with the Padres, where he played for three seasons before retiring after the 1995 season.
Bean’s major league career lasted six years, and he took a break from baseball until 2014, when he joined MLB as the Ambassador for Inclusion under then-commissioner Bud Selig. He was later brought on by Commissioner Rob Manfred as a senior advisor and was promoted twice, eventually becoming MLB’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
As one of only three MLB players to come out as gay, Bean spent his later years advocating for LGBTQ inclusion, mental health awareness, and anti-bullying efforts within the sport.
He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2023 and passed away at his home in Oakland on August 6. He was 60 years old.
Former Tiger and LGBTQ advocate Billy Bean passes away after yearlong battle with leukemia
Bean publicly came out as gay in 1999, three years after his retirement from baseball. He had previously shared his experiences of being a closeted gay man in the major leagues, including the personal loss of his partner to AIDS-related complications around the time he retired. Bean had resolved that baseball would never again take priority over his personal life, and he pledged that any future relationship would come before his career.
Despite this, Bean returned to baseball more than twenty years later to focus on creating a supportive environment for LGBTQ players and fans. During his tenure as MLB’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 29 of the 30 teams adopted annual Pride Nights, with the Texas Rangers being the only exception.
Rob Manfred commented on Bean’s death, stating, “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 unwavering dedication to others.”
Bean’s legacy in baseball will be remembered for his significant contributions to expanding the sport’s appeal and fostering an inclusive environment, despite the many challenges he faced.
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