Photo: The Canadian Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Bean, who in 1999 became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay and then became the sport’s senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, has died. He was 60.

MLB released a statement confirming his death. Bean died at his home on Tuesday after a year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

The California native played in six major league seasons from 1987 to 1995, and made his debut with the Detroit Tigers with a four-hitter, which tied the record for a player in a debut. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount, leading the team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986.

Bean wrote a book, “Going the Other Way,” and was also a keynote speaker at many events. He came out publicly as gay in 1999, becoming the second former major league player to do so after Glenn Burke.

Bean joined the commissioner’s office in 2014 when he was hired by former Commissioner Bud Selig as MLB’s first Ambassador of Inclusion. He worked at MLB for more than 10 years, eventually being promoted to senior vice president.

Bean has worked with MLB clubs to “advance equity for all players, coaches, managers, umpires, employees and stakeholders in baseball to ensure a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace for all.”

“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Billy was a friend to countless people across our game and made a difference through his enduring dedication to others.”

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