Former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent dies at 86 - ESPN

Fay Vincent, who took over as Major League Baseball's commissioner in 1989 and navigated the league through the earthquake-disrupted Bay Area World Series, has died at the age of 86, MLB announced Sunday.

Vincent had undergone radiation and chemotherapy for bladder cancer and developed complications that included bleeding, said his wife, Christina. He asked that treatment be stopped, and he died Saturday at a hospital in Vero Beach, Florida.

«Mr. Vincent served the game during a time of many challenges, and he remained proud of his association with our national pastime throughout his life,» current commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

Vincent unexpectedly became baseball's eighth commissioner following the death of A. Bartlett Giamatti of a heart attack in 1989. Vincent, who was hired as deputy commissioner by Giamatti, a longtime friend, then was forced out three years later by owners intent on a labor confrontation with players.

Vincent's first major test came a month into the job.

Just before first pitch of Game 3 of the 1989 World Series between the Athletics and Giants, a massive earthquake struck the San Francisco area. Vincent was immediately thrust into action, opting to postpone that night's game at Candlestick Park, and later the World Series as whole, for 10 days as the area dealt with the earthquake's aftermath.

«It is becoming very clear to us in Major League Baseball that our concerns, our issue, is a rather modest one,» Vincent said then.

The decision wasn't universally praised; some thought the World Series should be canceled given the tragedy. But many saluted Vincent's compassion and decision-making during such a sensitive situation.

«Fay Vincent played a vital role in ensuring that the 1989