William Daro Bean, famously known as Billy Bean, was a former American professional baseball player. He played in the MLB from 1987 to 1995 and earned many achievements in the sport. According to multiple reports, he recently passed away at the age of 60.
Billy Bean passes away at 60, claims report
Billy Bean died at the age of 60 after a year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
On Tuesday, after multiple reports claimed that Billy Bean passed away at the age of 60, MLB confirmed this in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The post reads, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Billy, who fought a heroic year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, was 60.”
Bean was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia a year ago, in 2023. No other details are currently available about his passing. The MLB’s statement also read, “Over the last 10 years, Billy worked passionately and tirelessly with MLB and all 30 Clubs, focusing on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives to advance equality in the game for all.” Additionally, Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed Billy as “one of the kindest and most respected individuals” he has ever known.
Billy Bean played in the MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres between 1987 and 1995. In 1992, he also played for the NPB’s Kintetsu Buffaloes for a year. He served as the senior VP for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the MLB a few years after retiring from playing the sport. Billy was also the second baseball player to openly come out as gay in 1999, following Glenn Burke in 1982. He then joined the commissioner’s office in 2014 and was the MLB’s first ambassador for inclusion.
Additionally, it is important not to misunderstand Billy Bean for the Billy Beane from the movie Moneyball. The other Billy Beane, whose full name is William Lamar Beane III, is the former executive vice president of the Oakland Athletics.
