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NEW YORK — Billy Bean, who in 1999 became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay and later became the sport’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, has died. He was 60.
MLB released a statement confirming his death. Bean died at home on Tuesday after a yearlong fight with acute myeloid leukemia.
The California native played in six big league seasons from 1987 to 1995, making his debut with the Detroit Tigers in a four-hit performance that tied a record for a player in his first game. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount, leading the team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986.
Bean wrote a book titled “Going the Other Way” and was often a keynote speaker at events. He publicly came out as gay in 1999, the second former major leaguer to do so. Glenn Burke was the first, coming out to the general public in 1982.
Bean joined the commissioner’s office in 2014, when he was hired by former commissioner Bud Selig to be MLB’s first ambassador for inclusion. He spent more than 10 years working for MLB and was eventually promoted to senior vice president.
Bean worked with MLB 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.”
“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,” MLB commissioner Rob 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.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.