Billy Bean Will Finally Be Honored

Happy Pride Month, everyone! If you're a die-hard baseball fan, then you'll enjoy reading the following story. The Los Angeles Dodgers recently announced that they'll honor the late Billy Bean. According to an article on OutSports, the Dodgers will reveal artifacts from his and Glenn Burke's MLB careers in Dodger Stadium's centerfield plaza on June 5, which is Dodgers Pride Night. Both Bean and Burke were the first two gay players in Major League Baseball. Bean came out in 1999 soon after his playing career concluded. Burke also didn't come out until his career was over. The latter passed away in May 1995, due to complications from AIDS. Let's get to know more about the life and career of Billy Bean.

Who Was Billy Bean?

William Daro Bean was born on May 11, 1964, in Santa Ana, California to Bill Bean and Linda Robertson. Bean played for three Major League Baseball teams (Tigers, Dodgers, and Padres) in eight seasons. He also had a stint with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, or NPB, in 1992. Bean retired from baseball following the conclusion of the 1995 MLB regular season. He was first named Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and a Special Assistant to the Commissioner before being promoted to MLB's Senior VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner in 2014. Bean passed away in August 2024 at the age of 60 from leukemia. Bean is survived by his husband, Greg Baker.

Final Thoughts

Honoring Billy Bean was long overdue, but I have to call the Dodgers out on their hypocrisy. One of their legendary players, Fernando Valenzuela, passed away the same year Bean did. All of the players wore patches with Valenzuela's number on it for the entire 2025 regular season. The Dodgers overlooking Billy Bean's contributions and becoming a trailblazer for the rights of LGBTQ+ people was a slap in the face. It took them two years to finally do this, but at least they're making up for it.

I've discussed the rampant homophobia in Major League Baseball from players in previous stories. Also, I've called out the now retired Clayton Kershaw for his bigoted views and demeanor numerous times. As of 2026, there hasn't been an openly gay MLB player. Not yet, but you can never say never. People should feel comfortable to come out and not feel the need to hide their true selves in order to appease others who feel like their identity is a threat to them. Also, out athletes, regardless of sport, deserve to be treated to with dignity and respect. Finally, coming out is a big deal to anyone, so the next time you say something like, "Why is this news?" or "Who cares?", just remember that it's a moment where they can finally be who they are for the first time in their life.

A message to all MLB players: you have the right to believe in whatever higher you please. That's not up for debate. However, you cannot politely disagree with someone's existence and make their life miserable. It's not your job to change who they are or bombard them with Bible verses. You may not like or agree with who they are, but loving and respecting them is what a man of faith should do. LGBTQ+ individuals are human beings with feelings, just like you. Finally, the stereotyping of them has to end. As someone who is part of this wonderful community and loves baseball, I'm putting a stop to whatever assumptions you're thinking about right now. I'll never understand the pure disgust and dislike of a group of people you probably have never met. Not all of us are hitting on you or sleep around. For the most part, we're very loving people. I know that not all religious people dislike LGBTQ+ people but loving others as they are what many of you should display more often. If not, then you're not practicing what you preach. It also comes off as you being a hypocrite. Like I've said before, it's not your duty to change who someone is. Look at your own biases and be open minded for once. I'm not saying to abandon your own personal beliefs but making false assumptions and continuing to perpetuate these harmful stereotypes about someone you've never interacted with shows how bitter you are.

In closing, baseball is a sport for everyone, not just for certain people. I'm a fan of the Texas Rangers and have been for nearly 25 years. The last time I've attended a game in person was when I was 13. I have yet to attend a game as an adult, but whenever I do, you'll be the first ones to hear about it. Major League Baseball teams have been holding Pride Night at their ballparks, dating back to 1994. It started with the started with the San Diego Padres, which they held a "Until There's a Cure Day" to raise awareness and money during the AIDS epidemic. MLB teams holding Pride Night at their respective ballparks during Pride Month is admirable, but more work needs to be done for prospective players to comfortably come out and be themselves. The only team that currently doesn't participate in Pride Night is the Rangers. Also, homophobia, including bigoted language from baseball fans, also needs to be addressed and taken a lot more seriously instead of excused. For example, I unfollowed and blocked a Rangers fans page on Instagram a year ago, due to other people making homophobic and racist remarks towards me. I took my concerns to the person in charge of that page, but they doubled down saying that I should deal with it. I say they and them, because I wasn't sure if the one running the page was male or female. In other words, I should tolerate racism and homophobia. Hate in all forms should never be acceptable. If you think this kind of behavior is okay, then you're part of the problem. Us baseball fans have to do better in order to make this sport more welcoming for everyone. Also, Major League Baseball needs to do better and make the sport a safer space for LGBTQ+ fans to support their own teams.