Baseball trailblazer billy bean, who dedicated life to inclusion, dies at 60

Primary league baseball is mourning the lack of considered one of its very own.

Billy bean, the league’s senior vp of diversity, fairness and inclusion, passed away at his home on tuesday after an 11-month conflict with acute myeloid leukemia. bean, who changed into recognized remaining september, became 60 years antique.

“our hearts are broken nowadays as we mourn our expensive friend and colleague, billy bean, one of the kindest and most reputablePeople i have ever recognised,” commissioner rob manfred said. “billy changed into a friend to countless people across our recreation, and he made a difference via his regular willpower to others. he made baseball a better institution, both on and rancid the sphere, by way of the power of his instance, his empathy, his verbal exchange capabilities, his deep relationships inside and outside our game, and his dedication to doing the right component. we’re all the time thankful for the long-lasting effect that billy made on the sport he Cherished, and we can by no means overlook him. on behalf of main league baseball, i make bigger my private condolences to billy’s husband, greg baker, and their entire own family.”

Major League Baseball is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Billy Bean, the league’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, passed away at his home on Tuesday after an 11-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Bean, who was diagnosed last September, was 60 years old.

“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,” Commissioner Rob 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.”

A native of Santa Ana, California, Bean was the only living openly gay Major League player (current or former), having come out in 1999. Detroit’s fourth-round Draft pick in 1986, Bean played for the Tigers, Dodgers and Padres from 1987-1995, logging a total of 519 plate appearances in 272 career games.