MLB executive Billy Bean, one of the first openly gay MLB players, dies at age 60 after battle with leukemia

MLB executive Billy Bean, who was the MLB's Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, died at age 60 after a battle with leukemia, the league announced Tuesday. Bean, one of the first openly gay baseball players in MLB, was diagnosed with leukemia last December.

In a statement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred called Bean "one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known."

"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," Manfred wrote.

A former outfield, Bean played for three MLB teams across eight years, finishing with the San Diego Padres from 1993 to 1995. Bean came out publicly as gay in 1999, becoming the second player to do so.