Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (2024)

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Billy Bean became Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion Photos: Notable deaths in 2024 Don Gullett Lefty Driesell Andreas Brehme Golden Richards Richard Lewis Nikolai Ryzhkov Brian Mulroney Akira Toriyama Iris Apfel Andy Russell Ed Ott Chris Mortensen Steve Lawrence Naomi Barber King Paul Alexander Thomas P. Stafford Chris Simon M. Emmet Walsh Laurent de Brunhoff Obit Angelos Baseball Joe Lieberman Louis Gossett Jr. Joe Flaherty John Sinclair Larry Lucchino Christopher Durang Jerry Grote Schappell Twins Peter Higgs Ralph Puckett Jr. O.J. Simpson Eleanor Coppola Robert MacNeil Faith Ringgold Steve Sloan Ken Holtzman Carl Erskine Whitey Herzog Bob Graham Dickey Betts Mandisa David Pryor Roman Gabriel Andrew Davis Terry Anderson Duane Eddy Paul Auster Dick Rutan Steve Albini Jimmy Johnson Sean Burroughs Roger Corman A.J. Smith David Sanborn Obit Alice Munro Dabney Coleman Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Jim Otto Ivan Boesky Jan. A.P. Kaczmarek Carlie Colin Morgan Spurlock Richard M. Sherman Bill Walton Albert Ruddy Larry Allen Janis Paige Parnelli Jones Chet Walker The Rev. James Lawson Jr. Jerry West Ron Simons Bob Schul Willie Mays Donald Sutherland Bill Cobbs Kinky Friedman Martin Mull Robert Towne Vic Seixas Obit Jon Landau James Inhofe Joe Bonsall Shelley Duvall Dr. Ruth Westheimer Richard Simmons Jacoby Jones Shannen Doherty James Sikking Pat Williams Lou Dobbs Bob Newhart Cheng Pei-Pei Abdul 'Duke' Fakir Bernice Johnson Reagon John Mayall Erica Ash Obituaries Newsletter Related to this story Stars we've lost so far in 2024 - July edition Watch Now: Related Video WATCH: Drones warn New York residents about potential threatening weather

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Billy Bean became Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion

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NEW YORK — Billy Bean, who became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay in 1999 before becoming 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.

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (1)

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 also a keynote speaker at many events. He publicly came out as gay in 1999, the second former major leaguer to do so after Glenn Burke.

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (2)

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, eventually being 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."

Photos: Notable deaths in 2024

Don Gullett

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (3)

Lefty Driesell

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (4)

Andreas Brehme

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (5)

Golden Richards

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (6)

Richard Lewis

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (7)

Nikolai Ryzhkov

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (8)

Brian Mulroney

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (9)

Akira Toriyama

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (10)

Iris Apfel

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (11)

Andy Russell

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (12)

Ed Ott

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (13)

Chris Mortensen

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (14)

Steve Lawrence

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (15)

Naomi Barber King

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (16)

Paul Alexander

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (17)

Thomas P. Stafford

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (18)

Chris Simon

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (19)

M. Emmet Walsh

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (20)

Laurent de Brunhoff

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (21)

Obit Angelos Baseball

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (22)

Louis Gossett Jr.

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (24)

Joe Flaherty

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (25)

John Sinclair

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (26)

Larry Lucchino

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (27)

Christopher Durang

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (28)

Jerry Grote

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (29)

Schappell Twins

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (30)

Peter Higgs

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (31)

Ralph Puckett Jr.

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (32)

O.J. Simpson

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (33)

Eleanor Coppola

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (34)

Robert MacNeil

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (35)

Faith Ringgold

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (36)

Steve Sloan

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (37)

Ken Holtzman

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (38)

Carl Erskine

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (39)

Whitey Herzog

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (40)

Bob Graham

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (41)

Dickey Betts

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (42)

Mandisa

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (43)

David Pryor

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (44)

Roman Gabriel

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (45)

Andrew Davis

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (46)

Terry Anderson

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (47)

Duane Eddy

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (48)

Paul Auster

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (49)

Dick Rutan

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (50)

Steve Albini

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (51)

Jimmy Johnson

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (52)

Sean Burroughs

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (53)

Roger Corman

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (54)

A.J. Smith

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (55)

David Sanborn

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (56)

Dabney Coleman

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (58)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (59)

Jim Otto

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (60)

Ivan Boesky

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (61)

Jan. A.P. Kaczmarek

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (62)

Carlie Colin

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (63)

Morgan Spurlock

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (64)

Richard M. Sherman

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (65)

Bill Walton

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (66)

Albert Ruddy

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (67)

Larry Allen

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (68)

Janis Paige

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (69)

Parnelli Jones

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (70)

Chet Walker

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (71)

The Rev. James Lawson Jr.

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (72)

Jerry West

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (73)

Ron Simons

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (74)

Bob Schul

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (75)

Willie Mays

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (76)

Donald Sutherland

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (77)

Bill Cobbs

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (78)

Kinky Friedman

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (79)

Martin Mull

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (80)

Robert Towne

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (81)

Vic Seixas

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (82)

Obit Jon Landau

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (83)

James Inhofe

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (84)

Joe Bonsall

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (85)

Shelley Duvall

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (86)

Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (87)

Richard Simmons

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (88)

Jacoby Jones

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (89)

Shannen Doherty

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (90)

James Sikking

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (91)

Pat Williams

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (92)

Lou Dobbs

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (93)

Bob Newhart

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (94)

Cheng Pei-Pei

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (95)

Abdul 'Duke' Fakir

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (96)

Bernice Johnson Reagon

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (97)

John Mayall

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (98)

Erica Ash

Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (99)

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Stars we've lost so far in 2024 - July edition

We’ve had to say goodbye to some beloved musicians, athletes, actors and more. Here's a look at the stars we've lost so far in 2024, through July.

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Billy Bean, trailblazing ex-MLB player who later worked in commissioner's office, dies (2024)
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