Dodgers Honor Gay Players Glenn Burke, Billy Bean With Permanent Stadium Memorial

As part of the celebration for Pride Night on Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a permanent memorial near center field at Dodger Stadium for gay former players Glenn Burke and Billy Bean.

The Dodgers hosted the families of both Burke and Bean.

“I’m just so moved,” Bean’s husband, Greg Baker said after seeing the memorial, “and I’m so thrilled about the bravery that the Dodgers community is showing. It’s something that in an age when we’re seeing a lot of erasure of LGBTQ people, it’s nice to see the Dodgers step up. 

“This is so beautiful. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Burke and Bean Were Trailblazers For LGBTQ Athletes

Burke was the first MLB player to publicly come out as a gay. He announced it in 1982 after retiring but many of his teammates knew about his sexuality while he played for the Dodgers and Athletics.

While playing for the Dodgers, Burke famously invented the “high-five” on Oct. 2, 1977. Burke congratulated Dodgers teammate, Dusty Baker, on his 30th home run of the season by holding his hand in the air, and Baker slapped his hand to mark the first high-five in history.

“Oh, he would be smiling,” said Joyce Henderson, Glenn Burke’s sister, about the Dodgers’ memorial for him. “He would be so happy. He probably would be giving the high-five. He had always been the laughter in our family and he used to crack jokes all the time and be just laughing … so he would be overwhelmed.”

Burke died in 1995 after dealing with complications with AIDS.

Bean also came out as a gay after retiring, making him the second MLB player after Burke to come out publicly. He became involved in MLB’s front office as the first Ambassador for Inclusion and rose to senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Bean played for the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers during his six-season MLB career. During his career with the Padres, Bean missed his then-partner’s funeral to avoid people finding out he was gay.

Bean passed away from leukemia in 2024.

The pair will forever be honored in Dodger Stadium for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.

Photo Credit: Cyd Zeigler

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