Billy Bean dead at age 60 after long-term health battle as MLB mourns loss of pioneer baseball player turned global exec

FORMER MLB player and executive Billy Bean has died at the age of 60.

Bean was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of last year and succumbed to his battle with the cancer .

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Bean served as the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and a special assistant to commissioner Rob Manfred.

He played six years in 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 VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner,” the statement read .

“Billy, who fought a heroic year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, was 60. 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.

“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 known,” 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 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 was a pioneer of baseball during his playing days, becoming just the second MLB player to publicly come out as game in 1999.

He made the major leagues in 1987 and tied a record by recording four hits in his debut with the Tigers.

MLB All-Star starters 2024

American League

C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: 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)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Bean was a lifetime .226 hitter, and hit five home runs in his career along with knocking in 54 RBI.

He first joined the Office of the Commissioner in July of 2014 as an Ambassador for Inclusion.

His work primarily focused on player education, LBGTQ inclusion, and social justice.

Bean worked with the clubs in baseball to ensure equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders.

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