Billy Bean's Final Words | The Inspiring Story of Billy Bean

Описание: Billy Bean, the second Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, has died at 60. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2023. Bean played for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. In 1999, he publicly came out as gay and later became MLB's senior vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
MLB announced his death on X (formerly Twitter), stating Bean fought a year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. They expressed their sadness and highlighted his contributions to player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice.
Born in Santa Ana, California, in 1964, Bean had a tough childhood after his father left when he was just six months old. Raised by his mother, who worked two jobs, he felt grown-up and responsible from a young age. After high school, he was drafted by the New York Yankees but honored a promise to his college coach to return to school. He was later drafted by the Detroit Tigers and debuted in 1987.
Bean faced challenges in his career, including being overshadowed by another player with a similar name, Billy Beane. He struggled with his sexuality and divorced his wife as he came to terms with being gay. He played in Japan before joining the San Diego Padres, where he lived a double life to hide his relationship with a male partner.
In 1995, Bean's partner died, and he retired from baseball. He came out publicly in 1999 and worked to support LGBTQ inclusion in sports. Inspired by meeting Judy Shepard, Bean used his platform to promote acceptance. He published a memoir in 2014 and became MLB's first ambassador for inclusion. By 2022, he was the senior vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
In December 2023, Bean shared his leukemia diagnosis, expressing hope despite the challenges. He was passionate about continuing his work with MLB and remained a humble advocate for bringing people together. Throughout his life, Bean embraced his identity and strived to make a positive impact on the world of baseball and beyond.
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