Major League Baseball has expressed its sorrow following the tragic deaths of former players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco in a roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday.
The collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 113 people, with over 150 others injured.
Dotel, 51, who had a 15-year career in MLB from 1999 to 2013, and Blanco, 43, a former Washington Nationals player, were among those who perished.
Dotel was a key contributor to the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship, while Blanco’s MLB career was limited to a single season with the Nationals in 2005.
Also among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the sister of Nelson Cruz, a seven-time MLB All-Star.
“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” MLB said in a statement.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family.
“The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”
Dotel, who started his MLB career with the New York Mets in 1999, played for 13 teams, including the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers.
He was honored by the Astros and Yankees, with both teams paying tribute to his legacy.
The Astros acknowledged Dotel’s significant contributions to their bullpen during his five seasons with the team, from 2000 to 2004.
“We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals that passed away when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night,” the team posted on X.
“Dotel, 51, spent five seasons (2000-04) of his outstanding, 15-year Major League career with the Houston Astros. While in Houston, he was one of the top relievers in all of baseball and was a significant part of a dominant bullpen that included Hall of Famer Billy Wagner and All-Star Brad Lidge. A workhorse, Dotel’s club-leading 159 appearances in 2002-03 combined were second in the Majors in that span, during which he posted a 2.15 ERA.”
The Yankees also expressed their condolences.
“The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel and extend our deepest condolences to Octavio’s family, friends and loved ones,” the team posted on X.
“Our hearts are with all those impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”
The Mets also honored Dotel before their game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, holding an emotional moment of silence in his memory.
Blanco, who appeared in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, was remembered as a talented player, although his MLB career was brief.
The Dominican Republic, a country rich with baseball history, is grieving the loss of these figures, as well as all the victims of the devastating incident.
MLB and the entire baseball world continues to offer its support to the families affected by the tragic disaster.
