2 Ex-MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco among 79 others dead in tragic roof collapse in Dominican Republic

2 former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, passed away in the tragic roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic.

2 Ex-MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco among 79 others dead in tragic roof collapse in Dominican Republic

Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco (Image via Fox News/MLB)

In a tragic incident on Tuesday, around 79 people lost their lives following a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. Among them were two former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.

The incident took place at the Jet Set nightclub early on Tuesday night. Dotel, a former World Series winner with the St. Louis Cardinals, was stuck under the debris for some time. While he was later rescued from the debris, he succumbed to his injuries while on his way to the hospital.

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Tony Blanco, the former Washington Nationals star who also played in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) of Japan, was later announced to have passed away.

According to reports, singer Rubby Perez was performing live on stage when the tragedy occurred. She was also killed in this process. Along with her, Governor Nelsy Cruz, sister of 7-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, also lost her life in this incident. A total of over 150 people were left injured following this tragedy.

In a statement released by Rob Manfred, the MLB Commissioner expressed his sorrow towards this tragic incident and paid his heartfelt condolences.

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. 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.

Rob Manfred wrote in his statement

The Major League Baseball would also issue separate statements later on their social media accounts. They would pay their tribute to them and express their sadness following the shocking deaths of people in this devastating incident.

Who were Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco?

Tuesday night brought in some sad news for the MLB community as two of their former players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, passed away in an unfortunate accident. The two of them played in the MLB during the 2005 season.

Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco
Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco (Image via Athlon Sports/People)

Blanco was part of the inaugural Washington Nationals team in 2005. He played in 56 games for them including the first game of the team. He spent 9 seasons in the United States before leaving for the NPB of Japan.

It was in Japan where he made a name for himself. He was a 4-time NPB All-Star and won the Central League batting title in 2013. He also led in the runs scored category in the 2009 and the 2013 season with Chunichi Dragons and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

Meanwhile, Dotel appeared in 758 games during his 15-year stay in the MLB. He played for 13 teams across his career.

His best moment came in 2011 when his team, the St. Louis Cardinals, won the World Series that year against the Texas Rangers. He went 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 12 appearances in the Postseason run. Apart from that, he was one of the six Houston Astros pitchers who combined to throw a no-hitter on June 11, 2003, against the New York Yankees.

New York Mets remember Octavio Dotel before game against Miami Marlins

As the MLB mourned the passing of two of its former players, teams paid their tribute to them on social media accounts. Meanwhile, the New York Mets stood in silence and remembered Octavio Dotel before their game against the Miami Marlins at the Citi Field.

Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel during his time with New York Mets (Image via amNewYork)

Dotel made his MLB debut with the Mets in the 1999 season. After just one season, he was traded to the Houston Astros. It was in Houston, where he stayed the longest. Apart from that, he also played for the New York Yankees, becoming another name to appear for both the New York clubs.

Before the game against the Marlins, the Mets players and coaches stood in silence and honored their former player. In their message of X, the team also paid their condolences to the victims of this unfortunate mishap in the Dominican Republic.

We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.

New York Mets on X

The Mets went on to win that game 10-5 and improved their season record to 8-3. With two wins from two games, they will look to complete the sweep of the Marlins on Wednesday.