Fay Vincent, the former MLB Commissioner ousted by a group of hardline owners who subsequently appointed Bud Selig as Commissioner in a role that was intended to be temporary, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.
Before joining MLB as deputy commissioner under Bart Giamatti, a close friend who selected him for the position, Vincent held various roles in the corporate sector. Following Giamatti’s death, Vincent assumed the commissioner role but served less than three years, resigning in September 1992 after a no-confidence vote from the owners. Owners thought Vincent was too independent and preferred to have someone who would act as a puppet and promote ownership interests over the overall welfare of MLB.
With new collective bargaining agreement negotiations approaching, they sought a commissioner who would take a tough stance against the players and wouldn’t hesitate to jeopardize games or an entire season through strikes or lockouts in efforts to implement a salary cap. Bud Selig, the Milwaukee owner, was appointed acting commissioner to replace Vincent, and despite claims that it was a short-term appointment and that Selig did not wish to be or would not become the permanent commissioner, he remained in the role until January 2015.
Vincent was the last MLB Commissioner who made any effort to prioritize the game’s best interests over those of the owners. Now, the commissioner’s role primarily serves to protect owners and their financial interests, with other considerations taking a backseat.
Leave a Reply