Giamatti Buried at Traditional Yale Site

Bart Giamatti, major league baseball commissioner and former Yale University president, was buried today in Grove Street Cemetery, traditional burial site for presidents of the Ivy League school.

At least 50 relatives and friends attended a graveside service for Giamatti, who died Friday after a heart attack at his summer home on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Family and friends arrived about 11 a.m. at the cemetery. Admittance was guarded closely by Yale University security and New Haven city police.

Giamatti is survived by his wife, Toni, and three children, Marcus Bartlett, Paul Edward Valentine and Elena Walton Giamatti.

Among those arriving at the cemetery were Yale President Benno C. Schmidt Jr. and New Haven Mayor Biagio DiLieto.

The family had requested the funeral be closed to the public. Details of the service were closely guarded.

Arrangements for a public memorial service for Giamatti remain incomplete, Yale University officials said.

Giamatti served as president of Yale from 1978 to June, 1986, before becoming president of baseball’s National League. He became baseball commissioner in April.

Fay Vincent, deputy baseball commissioner, was named acting commissioner until a successor is chosen.

On Saturday, Schmidt hailed Giamatti as “one of Yale’s most celebrated teachers and scholars” and said “he led the university with grace and courage.”