Angelo Bartlett Giamatti
Giamatti had a lifelong interest in baseball. In 1978, when he was first rumored to be a candidate for the presidency of Yale, he had deflected questions by observing that "The only thing I ever wanted to be President of was the American League." He became President of the National League in 1986. During his stint as National League president, Giamatti placed an emphasis on the need to improve the environment for the fan in the ballparks. He also decided to make umpires strictly enforce the balk rule, and supported "social justice. While still serving as National League president, Giamatti suspended Pete Rose for 30 games after Rose shoved umpire Dave on April 30,1988. Later that year, Giamatti also suspended Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell, who was caught using pie tar during the National League Championship Series.