Ex-Dodger and MLB Executive Billy Bean dies at 60, after year-long battle with myeloid leukemia

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball lost one of its own as Billy Bean died at the age of 60 at his residence following an 11-month battle with myeloid leukemia. Bean was MLB's Vice President for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, while he also served as a special advisor to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Following the news of his death, Manfred issued a heartfelt tribute to Bean (via MLB.com):

"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. Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others,'' Manfred said.

"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," he added.

Billy Bean was a former player who spent six years in the majors with three different clubs. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Tigers in 1986 and made his debut for the team the next year. In 1989, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before winding down his career with the San Diego Padres in 1995.

Bean later became an advocate for LGBTQ rights after coming out openly as gay through an interview with the Miami Herald in 1999, more than three years after finishing his MLB career. He published his memoir, "Going the Other Way" in 2003, which became a national bestseller.

In July 2014, former Commissioner Bud Selig appointed Billy Bean as MLB's first Ambassador for Inclusion. He worked with the league on player education, LGBTQ inclusion and social justice initiatives. Bean also played a key role in MLB’s bullying prevention education programming. He had been serving in his current role since 2017.

Former teammates pay tribute to Billy Bean

Billy Bean passed away on August 6 following an 11-month battle with myeloid leukemia (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Former teammates, including New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, offered their tribute to Billy Bean. Ausmus played in the big leagues for 18 years and became friends with Bean during their time together in San Diego (via MLB.com):

“As society progressed, Billy brought that as a figurehead to Major League Baseball and institutions that never had a position like that, or a role like that, or even acknowledged it,” Ausmus said.

“Billy would say that baseball did a lot more for him than he ever did for baseball. I truly believe in talking to him, that the best thing that's ever happened to him in his life is that he was able to get back into baseball after having to leave baseball,” he added.

Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman also paid homage to Billy Bean following his demise on Tuesday:

“He respected the game, played it hard," Hoffman said. "And then was really the first inclusion ambassador in baseball – and I thought he had a unique perspective, just having lived in that arena with his personal hurdles that he had to handle as a player.

“And then as somebody that really navigated the next era of players and organization into the future and forward-thinking. So, really, he was in the right place at the right time. He’s going to be a big loss for all of baseball and society. He’s going to be sorely missed,” he added.

Billy Bean was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in September 2023 and made his condition public in December.