Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Nightclub Tragedy Claims Lives of Ex-MLB Players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco

The baseball world mourns a tragic loss.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo has left the Dominican Republic in mourning, claiming the lives of more than 70 people, including former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.

Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement today regarding the
passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz in Tuesday morning’s tragedy in Santo Domingo: pic.twitter.com/hzEgQeLO0t
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) April 8, 2025

The collapse occurred early Tuesday morning during a merengue concert at the iconic venue, drawing a packed crowd that included politicians, athletes, and entertainers. Authorities confirmed at least 79 deaths and more than 160 injuries, with many still receiving treatment in area hospitals.

Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi and the sister of MLB veteran and seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz.

Octavio Dotel, 51, was pulled from the rubble alive but later died at a nearby hospital. A 15-year MLB veteran, Dotel pitched for 13 different teams between 1999 and 2013, recording 109 saves and a career 3.78 ERA. He was part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series-winning team in 2011 and had a standout season in 2004, notching 36 saves split between Houston and Oakland.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Octavio Dotel.

Dotel was part of our 2011 World Series championship team after being acquired at the trade deadline that season. In 29 games with us, he was a steadying presence in our bullpen, pitching a 3.65 ERA with 32 strikeouts,… pic.twitter.com/BumCq5wPFR
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 8, 2025

Tony Blanco, 43, appeared in 56 MLB games with the Washington Nationals in 2005 before continuing his career in Japan and the Dominican winter leagues. His son, Tony Blanco Jr., is currently a prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

“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,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected.”

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MLBPA executive director Tony Clark also paid tribute: “We grieve for all the victims and send a special message of support to the families of Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, who leave an unspeakable void with their passing, and to Nelson Cruz, whose family lost a shining light with the death of his sister.”

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Emergency crews worked through the morning to extract survivors from the rubble, sawing through concrete and lifting debris by hand. Nearly 12 hours after the incident, search efforts were still ongoing. The baseball world has been shaken by the news.

Octavio Dotel

Tony Blanco

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.