History of Billy Bean in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 8, 2024

Billy Bean is a former professional baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan. After his playing career, he became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in baseball and was named MLB's first ambassador for inclusion in 2014. He later served as MLB's vice president and special assistant to the commissioner, focusing on diversity and inclusion efforts.

May 11, 1964: Birth of Billy Bean

Billy Bean was born on May 11, 1964.

1985: Drafted by the New York Yankees

Billy Bean was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 24th round of the 1985 MLB Draft.

1986: College World Series Appearance

Billy Bean played with the Loyola Marymount Lions in the 1986 College World Series.

1986: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers

Billy Bean was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft.

April 24, 1987: Major League Debut

Billy Bean made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers on April 24, 1987.

1987: MLB Debut with the Detroit Tigers

Billy Bean made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 1987.

August 1988: Promotion to the Major Leagues

Billy Bean was promoted back to the major leagues in August 1988.

July 17, 1989: Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 17, 1989, Billy Bean was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1989: Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers

In 1989, Billy Bean was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1990: Playing in Minor League Baseball

Billy Bean played in Minor League Baseball during the 1990 season.

1991: Playing in Minor League Baseball

Billy Bean played in Minor League Baseball during the 1991 season.

1992: Playing for the Kintetsu Buffaloes

Billy Bean played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1992.

1993: Return to the Major Leagues

Billy Bean signed with the San Diego Padres and was promoted back to the major leagues in 1993.

1993: Signing with the San Diego Padres

Billy Bean signed with the San Diego Padres in 1993.

1994: Playing for the San Diego Padres

Billy Bean played for the San Diego Padres in 1994.

April 23, 1995: Death of Sam, Billy Bean's Partner

On April 23, 1995, Billy Bean's partner, Sam, died of a cardiac arrest from AIDS-related complications.

1995: Retirement and Coming Out to Loved Ones

After retiring from baseball in 1995, Billy Bean gradually came out as gay to his parents and friends.

1995: Playing for the San Diego Padres

Billy Bean played for the San Diego Padres in 1995.

1995: Retirement from Baseball

Billy Bean retired from baseball after the 1995 season.

1999: Publicly Coming Out

Billy Bean publicly came out as gay in 1999 in an interview with Lydia Martin of the Miami Herald.

2002: Television Appearances

Billy Bean made television appearances in "Made," "Frasier," and "Arli$$" in 2002.

2003: Release of Memoir "Going the Other Way"

Billy Bean released his memoir, "Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of Major League Baseball," in 2003.

2006: Television Appearances

Billy Bean appeared as a panelist on GSN's "I've Got a Secret" revival and served as a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation in 2006.

2007: Consulting for Scout Productions

Billy Bean was hired as a consultant by Scout Productions for their project "The Beard" in 2007.

July 2008: Breakup with Efrain Veiga

Billy Bean and his partner of 13 years, Efrain Veiga, broke up in July 2008.

2009: Appearance on "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List"

Billy Bean appeared on an episode of "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" in 2009.

July 15, 2014: Appointment as MLB's Ambassador for Inclusion

Billy Bean was appointed MLB's first "Ambassador for Inclusion" on July 15, 2014.

July 2014: MLB's First Ambassador for Inclusion

Billy Bean was named MLB's first ambassador for inclusion in July 2014.

January 2016: MLB's Vice President, Ambassador for Inclusion

In January 2016, Billy Bean became MLB's vice president, ambassador for inclusion and senior vice president and special assistant to the commissioner.