Former MLB Pitcher Octavio Dotel Among Victims of Tragic Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic

Octavio Dotel, the former Major League Baseball pitcher, was among more than 100 victims who tragically lost their lives after the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed on Tuesday. The incident occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, where around 300 people were present. The collapse took place at approximately 1 a.m. local time during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra.

As of Wednesday, emergency services reported that at least 113 people, including Dotel, had died, with more than 200 others injured. Dotel, who had been pulled from the rubble alive, tragically passed away en route to the hospital. Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center, confirmed his death to CNN.

Dotel’s educational institution, Colegio Sabiduría y Baluarte, honored him in a statement, remembering the “indelible mark” he left on those who knew him and worked alongside him.

A 15-year MLB veteran, Dotel played from 1999 to 2013, having first signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1993. He made his major league debut in 1999 and went on to play for an MLB-record 13 different teams, a record he co-held until Edwin Jackson surpassed it in 2019. Throughout his career, Dotel also represented the Dominican Republic national team.

Over his MLB career, Dotel played for several teams, including the Mets, Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays. He appeared in two World Series, winning the Commissioner’s Trophy with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 after defeating the Texas Rangers. Additionally, he was part of the Dominican Republic’s squad that won the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Dotel’s career stats included 758 games played, 1,143 strikeouts, 109 saves, and a 3.78 ERA over 951 innings, with a career record of 59-50. He retired in 2013 after finishing his career with the Detroit Tigers.

Former MLB player Tony Blanco, who played for the Washington Nationals in 2005, also died in the collapse. Additionally, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Monte Cristi province, was among the deceased. Dominican President Luis Abinader confirmed her death, noting that she was related to former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, who mourned the loss of his family member.