Former MLB Outfielder and LGBTQ Advocate Billy Bean is Survived by His Husband, Greg Baker
Billy Bean, one of the openly gay figures in baseball, was open about his personal journey and his relationship with his husband, Greg Baker.
William Daro Bean, AKA Billy, was an American professional baseball player who was born on May 11, 1964.
After retiring, he became the second former MLB player to come out as gay in 1999 publicly.
However, he did not immediately announce his relationship with his husband, Greg Baker, at that time.
As Billy became more involved in LGBTQ advocacy, details about his relationship with Greg Baker became more publicly known.
Tragically, he passed away on August 8, 2024, at the age of 60, after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Billy Bean and Greg Baker Openly Shared Their Relationship With the World
Billy Bean’s early love story and relationships are quite interesting. He was married to his college sweetheart, a woman he met while attending Loyola Marymount University.
However, their four-year marriage ended in divorce as Billy struggled with his sexuality.
He then met an Austria-raised Iranian immigrant, Sam, at the gym. Their relationship was kept secret, and Sam had to hide when Bean’s teammates visited.
On April 23, 1995, Sam, who was HIV-positive, passed away at their home. After a game, Bean found Sam and rushed him to a hospital, but fearing exposure, he drove to a different nearest hospital.
Tragically, Sam passed away the following morning due to AIDS-related complications. Moreover, Bean chose not to attend Sam’s public funeral due to fear of potential backlash.
After coming out as gay, Billy Bean became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. He later met Greg Baker, and the two shared a loving relationship until Billy’s recent passing.
They were together for several years before they got married. Unfortunately, specific details about the exact timeline of their relationship and marriage are not widely documented.
Their relationship was marked by mutual support and a commitment to promoting equality and acceptance within the sports community.
They frequently posted pictures of their lives together on Instagram, sharing moments of joy and advocacy work.
Moreover, Billy worked tirelessly to create a more inclusive environment in Major League Baseball, reflecting his belief in the importance of being true to oneself.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Billy Bean’s family, friends, and admirers. We will deeply miss his remarkable talent and impact on the world of sports. Rest in Peace!
Additional Information
- Billy was a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.
- He appeared in various TV series and movies such as 2009 episode of kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.
- He was hired as a Scout Production’s consultant in 2007.
