In 1999, Bean became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay. "On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Billy's husband, Greg Baker, and their entire family." Bean joined MLB in 2014, hired by then-commissioner Bud Selig as ambassador for inclusion. Bean, a Santa Ana native who played at Loyola Marymount, broke into the majors in 1987 with the Tigers. After two seasons in the minors and one playing in Japan, Bean returned to the U.S., playing for the Padres from 1993-95 before retiring.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 06, 2024 23:30 UTC