World Series Champ Among Dozens Killed In Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse

Yahoo

08-04-2025

Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was among those who died after the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed.
Dotel was reportedly pulled out of the rubble alive but later gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.
Baseball fans have taken to social media to mourn the deceased World Series champion as the death toll from the tragic incident rises.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel has died following the tragic collapse of a Dominican Republic nightclub he attended.
According to local media reports, the sports star was among the eight people initially rescued from the rubbles alive, but he died on the way to the hospital.
At least 44 people are reported to have died from the fatal incident, which happened when popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez was mid-performance, per Noticias SIN.
Multiple outlets have shared that they confirmed Dotel's death as reports suggest at least 150 people were injured inside the packed nightspot.
"Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel has passed away, after being rescued from the rubble at the Jet Set night club in the Dominican Republic due to the collapse of the roof," MLB insider Héctor Gómez wrote in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Perez was reportedly pulled alive from the rubble. His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the group's saxophonist was among those who sadly lost their lives.
Also among the dead was the sister of Nelson Cruz, Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of the Montecristi province of the Dominican Republic.
Cruz played for eight MLB teams between 2005 and 2023 and was a seven-time All-Star.
The celebrated pitcher was initially signed by the New York Mets and pitched with 13 teams, including the Yankees, in a career that spanned from 1999-2013.
He had a career record of 59-50, an ERA of 3.78, and 109 saves in 758 games (34 starts). Dotel won the 2011 World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that defeated the Texas Rangers.
Dotel is survived by his wife Massiel and their children Eduardo and Nicole, per his MLB profile.
Just three days before the deadly collapse, Massiel posted a video of herself and Dotel talking about their happy marriage.
Fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the renowned baseball star.
"There are not enough words to express what one feels when faced with such a loss," a fan wrote.
Another person commented, "No way?! I remember when he pitched for the White Sox. Sad situation overall."
"Wow! So sad! Hopefully, the Mets do a little dedication to him at Citifield," a third person wrote, while another added, "May God receive Octavio Dotel in his glory and bring comfort to his loved ones. May the souls of all those who passed away rest in peace, and may their families find strength.'
Two other MLB stars were reported to have been at the nightclub that night but escaped the tragic incident as they left before it happened.
According to La Nación, two other former MLB players, Henry Blanco, who played for the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Esteban Germán, who played for the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics, were also at the Jet Set nightclub that fateful night.
However, the pair left before the roof collapsed around 1 a.m. in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
General Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), said his team is still searching for survivors under the rubble.
"The important thing is that we're rescuing the people who are alive... we're looking for everyone, Rubby and everyone who was there," Méndez said, per Noticias Sin.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts will continue as President Luis Abinader said that all rescue agencies were "working tirelessly" to help those affected.
"We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred," he wrote on X.
Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó added: "Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones."