Fay Vincent, the former Major League Baseball commissioner who served from 1989 to 1992, has passed away at the age of 86. Vincent, who had been battling bladder cancer and complications from treatment, died on Saturday in Vero Beach, Florida. He is remembered for his significant contributions to the game, including his handling of the 1989 World Series following the devastating earthquake, as well as his role in the 1993 National League expansion to Denver and Miami. MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred expressed condolences, noting Vincent’s pride in his association with baseball.
Vincent’s tenure as commissioner was marked by numerous challenges, including his outspoken stance on collusion among teams, his suspension of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, and his efforts to resolve labor disputes. A corporate lawyer and movie studio executive before joining baseball, Vincent was appointed as deputy commissioner by A. Bartlett Giamatti in 1986. After Giamatti’s sudden death in 1989, Vincent was elected commissioner. His leadership was tested by tensions with team owners and a public feud with the likes of Bud Selig.
One of Vincent’s notable achievements was overseeing the restoration of the 1989 World Series, which was interrupted by the Loma Prieta earthquake. He also made decisions on the distribution of expansion fees and attempted realignment of MLB divisions, though his realignment plan was blocked after his departure. His tenure ended in 1992 when MLB owners, dissatisfied with his approach, voted him out.
Vincent’s love for baseball was lifelong. He was instrumental in several key initiatives, including a committee to address statistical accuracy and an oral history project documenting the game’s history. Following his departure from MLB, Vincent continued to contribute to the sport and made a significant gift to Yale University in honor of his father’s legacy. He was married twice, first to Valerie McMahon, with whom he had three children, and later to Christina Watkins.
