In a tragic incident at a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was among those who lost their lives. The collapse of the building’s roof occurred while Dotel, aged 51, attended a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub. Initially, it was reported that Dotel had been rescued and taken to the hospital, but confirmations later emerged from a Dominican Professional Baseball League spokesperson that he had succumbed to his injuries.
The collapse resulted in at least 79 fatalities and left 160 people injured. Among the deceased were Tony Blanco, another ex-major leaguer who had played primarily in Japan, and Nelsy Cruz, who was the governor of the Monte Cristi province and sister to Nelson Cruz, a former MLB player now serving as an MLB special adviser.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed deep sadness over the tragedy, extending condolences to the affected families and friends, particularly mentioning the bereavement of the MLB community. He highlighted the strong ties between the Dominican Republic and the world of baseball. The MLB Players Association, through Tony Clark, also shared a message of solidarity with the Dominican community amidst the heartache, acknowledging the significant loss endured by Dotel’s and Blanco’s families, and the Cruz family.
Dotel’s baseball journey began when he signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Mets in 1993, making his league debut in 1999. Known as both a starter and a reliable reliever, he appeared in 758 games over a span from 1999 until 2013. Dotel held the record for playing on 13 different major league teams, a benchmark later surpassed by Edwin Jackson in 2019. In a tribute, the New York Mets observed a moment of silence in his honor before their game against Miami and displayed the Dominican flag on the scoreboard.
Dotel’s career highlights included significant performances with the Houston Astros, where he served as a setup man for the team’s star closer, contributing to a combined no-hitter against the New York Yankees in 2003. His career also saw a notable stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, culminating in a World Series win in 2011. With the national team, he also made an impact during the Dominican Republic’s victory in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Over his career, Dotel achieved impressive statistics, including 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings, holding a 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings rate, a 59-50 win-loss record, and maintaining a 3.78 ERA alongside 109 saves. In a notable incident in 2019, Dotel was temporarily detained during a wide-ranging law enforcement crackdown on drug trafficking and money laundering, but was released after a judge found not sufficient evidence to link him to the alleged crimes.