MLB Executive Billy Beane Diagnosed with Leukemia: What You Need to Know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Billy Bean, a former big league outfielder and currently Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion, has recently been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

In honor of Bean and Catalina Villegas, MLB’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, MLB has launched its winter meetings charity auction to benefit Stand Up To Cancer.

Torey Lovullo, the manager of the Arizona team and a longtime friend of Bean, struggled to maintain composure as he spoke during the news conference, expressing his support for Bean.

“I know it’s a challenging time for you, Billy, and now it’s our turn to take care of you,” Lovullo said. “You’ve always been a generous giver, so it’s time for you to let us support and care for you.”

Bean, in a recorded video, revealed that he received the diagnosis on Sept. 1 but chose not to disclose it to Lovullo during the final stages of the season as the Diamondbacks made their way to the World Series.

“Like most players, I am very superstitious, so I didn’t want to bother Torey with my diagnosis because they were winning,” Bean said. “There would be time to tell him later.”

Now 59, Bean played for Detroit, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego during his six seasons in the big leagues from 1987 to ’95 and publicly came out as gay in 1999, making him the second major leaguer to do so after Glenn Burke.