Billy Bean, MLB’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion who also served as a special advisor to commissioner Rob Manfred, has died at the age of 60, the league announced Tuesday.
MLB said Bean, a longtime LGBTQ advocate, died after a year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
‘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 in a statement. ‘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.’
Bean was selected in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers and made his major league debut with the organization in 1987. He played in six MLB seasons with the Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
In 1999, he came out as gay in an interview with the Miami Herald. In 2014, he joined MLB to serve as the league’s first Ambassador for Inclusion. In his time working for the league, he was ‘focused on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives.’ He was instrumental in MLB’s bullying prevention education programming and the game’s support of Spirit Day, an anti-bullying effort.
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
‘Bean worked with MLB’s 30 clubs to advance equality for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders throughout baseball to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone,’ MLB said.
Several MLB teams paid tribute to Bean on social media on Tuesday.
“Billy has always been such a giver. He’s one of the best human beings I ever met,’ Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told USA TODAY Sports in December. ‘He’s just always been available to everyone, touching everyone. I want the world to know what a great human he is.’
