FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Billy Bean, the second professional baseball player to come out as gay, has died after a years-long battle with leukemia.
During his career, Bean played for the Detroit Tigers (1987–1989), the Los Angeles Dodgers (1989) and the San Diego Padres (1993–1995).
After his athletic career, he became MLB’s senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, a position he says he held with honor after having to hide his sexuality throughout his career for fear of judgement.
After divorcing his wife, Bean had a secret relationship with a man in the late 1990s. Tragically, his partner died suddenly. Since no one in Bean’s life knew about his relationship or sexuality, he had no place to go to find solace in his grief.
In 2009, Bean visited Fort Wayne for the Positive Resource Connection Gay & Lesbian Dinner Dance, a benefit for the AIDS Task Force.
He talked about his fear of coming out in a profession where it was not common to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Jeff Markley, executive director of the Positive Resource Connection in northeast Indiana, says Bean’s story is still relevant today.
“It was a huge incident at the time, but it still has repercussions,” Markley said. “There are still people who are afraid to disclose their relationship status.”
Bean leaves behind his partner Greg Baker.
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