At his longtime friend incoming commissioner Bart Giamatti 's behest , Fay Vincent accepted the position of deputy commissioner . He became the 8th commissioner of baseball following Giamatti 's death on September 1 , 1989 , and 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 George Steinbrenner in his first year . Before accepting the job as Commissioner of Baseball , Vincent consulted with Bart Giamatti 's widow , Toni , to make sure she thought it was appropriate for him to do so
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Commissioner of Baseball