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.
This Rawlings official American League baseball was signed in blue ballpoint pen by Vincent and includes a Great Moments COA.