A tragic incident in the Dominican Republic took the lives of two former MLB players.
Former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco were tragically killed in a roof collapse incident. They were among the 98 people who lost their lives at the Jet Set Nightclub.
The incident took place early on April 8, 2025. It occurred during a merengue concert around 1 a.m., which attracted a variety of attendees, including athletes and politicians.
In addition to Dotel and Blanco, the collapse claimed the life of Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Over 160 others sustained injuries in the disaster.
Recently, a chilling video surfaced on social media of the very moment when the roof fell on the crowd.
Despite rescue efforts that lasted nearly 12 hours, the cause of the roof failure remains unclear. Dominican officials confirmed the deaths and emphasized that efforts are ongoing to assist those affected.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed deep condolences on behalf of the league, while the MLB Players Association extended their support to the families of the victims.
Late Former MLB Pitcher Played For 13 Teams In His Career
Dotel, who was 51, had a commendable career, including 109 saves and a World Series championship with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. He was pulled from the debris approximately six hours after the collapse.
Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. During his career, Dotel played for 13 MLB teams. He also set a record for most teams played for by a single player during his 15-season career.
Tony Blanco, 43, had a brief stint in the majors with the Washington Nationals in 2005 and spent several years in the minor leagues before playing abroad in Japan. The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Sports and Recreation also confirmed his death.
As a player, Dotel began his career signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Mets in 1993 and made his debut in 1999. Throughout his time in the league, he evolved from a starter to a dominant reliever.
