World Series champion pitcher Octavio Dotel perished after the roof caved in at a Dominican Republic nightclub Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. The freak tragedy took the lives of at least 200 people, including the 51-year-old ex-Major League Baseball player.
Dotel's career spanned more than 15 years and brought him many accolades. This week, the news from the Dominican Republic has instead brought condolences.
Tony Clark, MLB Association executive director, said in a statement that the players' union was with the Dominican community "amid incomprehensible sadness." Clark also extended condolences for other victims, including Tony Blanco, who played for the Washington Nationals, and former MLB player Nelson Cruz, whose sister Nelsy was also at the nightclub that evening, ABC News reported.
"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, Nelsy," Clark added. The MLB community mourned its losses as the death toll continued to rise.
During his storied career, Dotel passed through many MLB franchises and helped propel them to victory along the way. In a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, the MLB summed up the highlights of his time in the league.
"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel. Dotel appeared in 758 games for 13 teams over his 15-year career, including parts of five seasons with the Houston Astros from 2000-2004," the post noted.
"On June 11, 2003, he was one of six Astros pitchers who combined to throw a no-hitter against the Yankees in New York. Dotel helped the St. Louis Cardinals to the 2011 World Series championship, going 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 12 appearances in the Postseason run," it went on.
"He saved 109 games, with a career-high 36 in 2004. Dotel’s 13 teams are tied with Rich Hill for the 2nd-most in MLB history, trailing only Edwin Jackson’s 14. Dotel was 51 years old," MLB concluded.
We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel.
Dotel appeared in 758 games for 13 teams over his 15-year career, including parts of five seasons with the Houston Astros from 2000-2004. On June 11, 2003, he was one of six… pic.twitter.com/4wxawmZv5Y
— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2025
The tragedy is marked by unspeakable carnage and loss of life among patrons at the Jet Set nightclub located in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Just after 12:34 a.m., the roof unexpectedly caved in and revelers became trapped after concrete rained down on them.
The collapse only took seconds but killed hundreds and injured another 155 people. There's no word on what the cause was though a 2023 fire damaged part of the building. Crews continue to work to free trapped individuals and recover bodies.
Authorities are using biometric systems to identify the dead as the nation grapples with this tragedy. "We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub," a social media post from Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said.
"We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families," Abinader added.
These people were out to have a nice time at a nightclub when the unthinkable happened. Whether it was the MLB players, musicians, or guests, every life lost in this way is unfathomably tragic.
