Funeral services are pending for Santa Ana native and onetime Los Angeles Dodger Billy Bean, credited with being the second Major League Baseball player to come out as gay.
Bean, MLB’s senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last September and died from the disease Tuesday, MLB announced.
He was 60.
“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,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said.
“Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others. 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,” Manfred continued. “We are …