WATERBURY – Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent, who had roots in Connecticut, died in Vero Beach, Florida, on Feb. 1, according to OHIA Funerals. He was 86.
Vincent, who died from complications of bladder cancer, leaves behind a legacy that shaped the sport during some of its most tumultuous years, which included labor strife, the negotiation of Pete Rose’s lifetime ban, and the delay of the 1989 World Series due to an earthquake in San Francisco and Oakland.
Born on May 29, 1938, in Waterbury, Vincent’s life spanned many roles as a lawyer, securities regulator, and sports executive, but he is most remembered for his time as the eighth commissioner of baseball, from 1989 to 1992. He also lived for a time in New Canaan.
During his tenure as commissioner, Vincent played a crucial role in ensuring the 1989 World Series resumed responsibly after the disaster. Vincent also oversaw significant expansions in Major League Baseball, including the 1993 National League expansion that brought teams to Denver and Miami.
Beyond his executive work, Vincent was a committed advocate for the game of baseball, notably chairing the 2006 special committee that inducted 17 players from the Negro Leagues into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His dedication to preserving the sport’s history and pushing for inclusivity helped define his time in office.
Although his tenure as MLB commissioner was cut short, Vincent remained proud of his association with the game, often reflecting on his role in shaping the modern landscape of baseball. His contributions to the sport are celebrated by players, fans, and colleagues alike, ensuring his place in baseball history.
Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) made note of Vincent’s passing over the weekend.
“From his years living in New Haven and Hamden to Greenwich and New Canaan: Fay Vincent lived a home run of a life,” he said. “He reminded us that baseball teaches us how to deal with failure. The game, he observed, ‘considers errors to be part of the game, part of its rigorous truth.’ May he rest in peace.”
