OUTSPORTS.COM
BILLY BEAN 

Billy Bean made headlines when he came out last year, first in the Miami Herald, then in a front-page article in the New York Times. Bean told about living life as a closeted major league baseball player and his struggles in coming to grips with who he was.

Bean, though, still greatly misses baseball and he told the Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Sun-Sentinel about his desire to get a front office job with a major league team. A link to the article is below.

An Outsports reader in Boston wrote to the Florida Marlins and to baseball commissioner Bud Selig advocating for Billy. He was kind enough to let Outsports run his original letter and their replies. Feel free to check out the reader's Yahoo discussion club on openly gay men in professional team sports.

Photo courtesy of the Renegades, a San Francisco gay softball team, whose members met Billy at a March function. 

August 10, 2000 

Mr. Bud Selig
Commissioner of Baseball
245 Park Ave
New York, New York 10167 

Mr. Dave Dombrowski
Florida Marlins
2267 NW 199th St
Miami, FL 33056 

Dear Mr. Selig and Mr. Dombrowski: 

What a thrill it will be to have Billy Bean back in Major League Baseball! (``Yer out: The last taboo”, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, 7/28/00) 

As a fan, I encourage you to fully support Mr. Bean in the pursuit of his dream. During his major league career, he was held in the highest esteem by his teammates and managers, both as an athlete and as a man. If you have met him, you have felt his awesome strength of spirit. If you know his life story, you know what courage and honor mean. 

I trust that MLB will have the courage to challenge one of the last forms of “acceptable” prejudice in this country, that against honestly gay men in professional team sports. When Billy Bean presents you with the opportunity to make history by inviting him back, please accept it with enthusiasm and love… For me, that’s exactly what baseball is about – “Every day, every game, all heart!” 

Reply from Dave Dombrowski:

8/16/2000

Dear Dan:

Thank you for your recent letter and comments regarding Billy Bean.

Don, actually our organization has already received a letter from Billy. Although presently there are no positions available, I will be meeting with Billy at the end of the season to discuss his career goals.

Thank you for bringing his name to our attention and for your support of him.

Sincerely,
David Dombrowski
President and General Manager

Reply from Bud Selig:

8/23/2000

Dear Dan:

Thank you for your letter relative to Billy Bean.

I understand your thoughts on the subject and I think everyone who wants an opportunity in Major League Baseball, and is deserving of that opportunity, should have that chance.

I thank you for taking the time to write to me. You wrote a very thoughtful letter and I appreciated hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Allan H Selig
Commissioner of Baseball