MLB world mourns Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco after deaths in nightclub tragedy: ‘Heartbroken’

The baseball world was saddened by the tragic deaths of longtime MLB relief pitcher Octavio Dotel and former infielder Tony Blanco after they were killed following a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. 

Dotel and Blanco were among the at least 66 people killed when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo caved in while merengue singer Rubby Pérez was in the middle of a performance.

The right-handed Dotel spent 15 years in MLB, which included stops with the Mets, Astros, Athletics, Yankees, Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Cardinals and Tigers.

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Dotel helped the Cardinals win a World Series title in 2011. 

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Octavio Dotel,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “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, 3 wins and 2 saves to help jumpstart our magical run to our 11th World Series title.

“Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Octavio’s loved ones and to all impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”

Blanco played the 2005 season with the Nationals during their first season in Washington, D.C.

He also spent eight playing years in Japan.

His son, Tony Blanco Jr., is in the Pirates’ minor league system.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of former Major Leaguer Tony Blanco in Tuesday’s tragedy in the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo,” MLB said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, which includes Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League player Tony Blanco Jr.”

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The Mets held a moment of silence before Tuesday’s game against the Marlins at Citi Field, and the team said in a post on X that they “mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel” and that their “ thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”

“Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters before the game. “It affected a lot of people there. We have a lot of Dominican communities in the baseball world. Our prayers to their families.”

Follow the latest on the tragic roof collapse at a Dominican Republic nightclub:

• Terrifying moment Dominican Republic nightclub’s roof collapses, killing 113 and trapping dozens
• Dominican Republic nightclub collapse that killed 231 likely caused by ‘excess weight’: experts
• Singer Rubby Pérez, who performed at Dominican Republic nightclub during roof collapse, declared dead
• MLB world mourns Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco after deaths in nightclub tragedy: ‘Heartbroken’

The Yankees extended their “deepest condolences” to the Dotel family as well as all the victims of the tragedy at Jet Set nightclub. 

The Astros remembered Dotel as “one of the top relievers in all of baseball” and “a workhorse” during his time with Houston. 

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The cause for the roof collapse remains unclear and authorities have said that at least 150 people were injured in the tragedy.