Former outfielder Billy Bean will lead
Major League Baseball's outreach efforts to the LGBT community.
Bean, who played for the Tigers,
Dodgers and Padres, came out gay after he retired from professional
baseball in 1996.
As the league's ambassador for
inclusion, Bean will provide training and guidance related to
baseball's outreach efforts to the LGBT community.
“Almost 20 years after leaving the
game, I got called up again,” Bean said in an op-ed published
Thursday at the league's
official website.
“After I left baseball, my life
changed in many ways. I learned some important lessons from the LGBT
community. In turn, I began sharing my story. I regained my
confidence and I decided to help others who struggled like me. It
took time, but I came to terms with myself. I went to work in the
business world, found some success, but I never stopped missing
baseball,” he added.