Billy Bean, a trailblazer in Major League Baseball (MLB) and one of the sport’s first openly gay players, has passed away at the age of 60. Bean died at home on Tuesday after a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia, as confirmed by MLB in a statement.
After his playing career, Bean became a prominent figure in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the league. He served as MLB’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where he was instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ+ representation and support within the sport.
Bean’s death marks the loss of a significant figure in both baseball and the broader fight for equality in sports.