Billy Bean

Billy Bean serves at MLB as Vice-President & Special Assistant to the Commissioner. As a senior advisor to Commissioner Manfred, his role focuses on baseball’s social responsibility initiatives and LGBT inclusion. Among his responsibilities, Bean works with MLB’s 30 clubs to bring awareness to all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders throughout baseball to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone.

On July 14, 2014, Bean was announced as Major League Baseball’s first-ever Ambassador for Inclusion. He played in the Major Leagues from 1987-1995. Bean broke into the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers, and tied a major-league record with four hits in his first game. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Bean was a two-time “All-America” outfielder at Loyola Marymount University before graduating with a degree in Business Administration. During the 1986 season Bean led the Lions to a midseason #1 national ranking and a berth into the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Billy is a member of MLB’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and was instrumental in the development of MLB’s “Shred Hate” anti-bullying initiative, a ground breaking educational youth campaign and partnership with ESPN. He is also the author of the book, “Going the Other Way.”