Octavio Dotel, World Series champion and 15-year MLB vet, dies at 51 in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse

Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and utility player Tony Blanco both died following a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday. Dotel was 51 and Blanco was 43. At least 58 people died and more than 150 others were injured at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital city. 

Nelsy Cruz, sister of longtime MLB player Nelson Cruz and the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, was also among those killed in the roof collapse. Dotel was among those rescued from the rubble but later succumbed to his injuries. 

Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement about their deaths:

“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. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”

Dotel originally signed with the Mets as an international amateur free agent in March 1993 and broke into the big leagues with New York in June 1999. He was traded to the Astros in the Mike Hampton deal following that season and enjoyed his greatest success with Houston, where he was a stalwart setup man for Hall of Fame closer Billy Wagner.

In 2004, the Astros traded Dotel to the Athletics, which began the journeyman phase of his career. Dotel pitched for 11 different teams from 2004-13: the Athletics, Yankees, Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Tigers. At the time of his retirement, Dotel held the record for most franchises played with (13).

Dotel won a World Series ring with the 2011 Cardinals. He retired both batters he faced in the seventh inning of their World Series Game 7 win over the Rangers. 

Although he was never an All-Star, Dotel was one of his era’s top relievers. He pitched to a 3.10 ERA while striking out 11.5 batters per nine innings during his peak from 2001-09, an elite strikeout rate for the time. Dotel retired following the 2013 season with a career 3.78 ERA and 109 saves in close to 1,000 innings.

Blanco, for his part, appeared in 56 games with the Washington Nationals in 2005. He hit .177/.215/.274 with a home run and a stolen base.