At the behest of his longtime friend , incoming Commissioner of Baseball Bart Giamatti , Vincent accepted the position of deputy commissioner . After consulting with Giamatti 's widow , Toni , he became the eighth commissioner of baseball following Giamatti 's September 1 , 1989 death . In his first year as commissioner , he presided over the 1989 World Series , which was interrupted by the Loma Prieta earthquake ; the owners ' lockout during Spring Training of the 1990 season ; and the expulsion of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner from the game
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Fay Vincent