Former MLB outfielder Billy Bean, who has served within the commissioner’s workplace as senior vp for range, fairness, and inclusion in addition to a particular assistant to the commissioner, died at his residence right this moment following a battle with acute myeloid leukemia per an announcement from the league. The previous Tigers, Dodgers, and Padres outfielder, to not be confused with longtime GM of the Athletics Billy Beane, was simply 60 years outdated.
“Our hearts are damaged right this moment as we mourn our expensive good friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of many kindest and most revered people I’ve ever recognized.” Commissioner Rob Manfred stated in a press release concerning Bean’s passing. “Billy was a good friend to numerous folks throughout our recreation, and he made a distinction by means of his fixed dedication to others. He made Baseball a greater establishment, each on and off the sector, by the ability of his instance, his empathy, his communication expertise, his deep relationships inside and out of doors our sport, and his dedication to doing the precise factor. We’re without end grateful for the enduring impression that Billy made on the sport he cherished, and we are going to always remember him. On behalf of Main League Baseball, I lengthen my deepest condolences to Billy’s husband, Greg Baker, and their total household.”
Bean was first drafted by the Yankees again in 1985 within the twenty fourth spherical, although he opted to return to Loyola Marymount College for his senior 12 months and be a part of the Lions for his or her participation within the School World Collection moderately than signal. He ultimately landed with the Tigers after they chose him within the fourth spherical of the next 12 months’s draft earlier than making his massive league debut in 1987 on the age of 23. Bean performed for the Tigers till 1989 in an up-and-down position shuttling between the massive leagues and the minors. He made simply 97 plate appearances with the Tigers over his years within the group however bought a extra sturdy alternative after being traded to the Dodgers in July of 1989. He appeared in 51 video games with L.A. down the stretch, although he hit simply .197/.250/.254 throughout that point.
That may be Bean’s final MLB motion for just a few years. He put up strong numbers for the Dodgers within the minor leagues through the 1990 and 1991 seasons earlier than splitting the 1992 season between the Angels’ minor league system and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of Japan’s Nippon Skilled Baseball. Bean returned to the majors with the Padres in 1993 and loved the perfect season of his massive league profession, slashing .260/.284/.395 whereas slugging 5 residence runs and stealing two bases in 192 journeys to the plate. He remained with San Diego by means of his retirement in 1995. Following the top of his enjoying profession, Bean adopted within the footsteps of former Dodgers and A’s outfielder Glenn Burke in 1999 to change into simply the second MLB performed in historical past to publicly come out as homosexual. In an interview with Robert Lipsyte of the New York Occasions from that 12 months, Bean mentioned his life in baseball, the choice to stay within the closet all through his time as an expert participant, and his eventual resolution to come back out publicly.
After enjoying 272 video games within the majors with three organizations throughout six years, Bean returned to baseball in 2014 when he was appointed because the league’s first ever ambassador for inclusion by then-commissioner Bud Selig. He continued to serve within the commissioner’s workplace beneath Rob Manfred and was ultimately promoted to the senior vp position he held till his dying. In his position with the league, Bean labored with all 30 organizations and is credited with instrumental roles in growing teaching programs and increasing psychological well being sources out there to gamers all throughout affiliated ball.
We at MLBTR be a part of the remainder of the baseball world in extending our condolences to Bean’s household, former teammates and colleagues, numerous buddies across the recreation and all these mourning his passing.