Latest news with #OctavioDotel
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets hold moment of silence for Octavio Dotel after Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy
NEW YORK — The New York Mets held a moment of silence to pay tribute to former relief pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was killed in the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when the roof collapsed on Tuesday. According to USA TODAY, Dotel's death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the country's sports ministry. He was 51 years old. Advertisement Dotel was signed by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 1993 and pitched two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before beginning his professional career in 1996 with the Gulf Coast Mets. He was called up to the Mets late in 1998 but did not make his major league debut until 1999 when as a starter he went 8-3 with a 5.38 ERA in 19 games. The Dominican native also pitched in two postseason games for the Mets before being traded to the Astros in a deal that netted the Mets Mike Hampton and Derek Bell. With the Astros, Dotel rose to fame as the team's closer, filling in for an injured Billy Wagner and ultimately earning the sole responsibility, recording 64 saves across parts of four seasons for the club. He spent 15 seasons in the major leagues between 1999-2013 with 13 different teams. Advertisement According to multiple reports, Dotel was among the 44 people who died when the club's roof collapsed during a performance by meringue singer Rubby Perez. At least 130 people were reportedly injured. Before the Mets' game, manager Carlos Mendoza paid respects to the victims of the tragedy. "Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic," Mendoza said. "A few guys are aware of the incident that happened with the roof collapse and it affected a lot of people there. We have a lot of Dominican community in the baseball world, so our prayers to their families." The Mets have four players on their roster from the Dominican Republic: Juan Soto, Starling Marte, Jose Siri and Huascar Brazoban. This article originally appeared on Octavio Dotel: NY Mets honor pitcher after Dominican nightclub tragedy
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB world mourns Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco after deaths in nightclub tragedy: ‘Heartbroken'
Octavio Dotel Tony Blanco 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. Advertisement 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. Octavio Dotel was among those killed in the rooftop collapse. AP 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. Advertisement '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.' Tony Blanco of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 20, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images Octavio Dotel pitched he 1999 season with the Mets. NEW YORK POST 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.' Advertisement '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: 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. Personnel from civil defense and firefighters work at the Jet Set nightclub following the collapse of its roof in Santo Domingo on April 8, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Relatives of victims react at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025. REUTERS The cause for the roof collapse remains unclear and authorities have said that at least 150 people were injured in the tragedy.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Octavio Dotel's Wife Massiel Posted Heartbreaking Final Video
Octavio Dotel's wife Massiel Dotel posted a heartbreaking final video before a nightclub tragedy claimed the life of the former Major League Baseball pitcher. In the video, posted to Instagram, she sat next to a smiling Octavio Dotel as she raved about their happy marriage. Advertisement "Transformed men, Happy marriages! Beautiful what the Lord is doing...🧡," a translation on the caption reads. The transformation is likely a reference to Dotel's arrest for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring six years ago. Dotel was pulled from the rubble after the collapse of the roof at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, but died a short time later, confirmed. According to People, Dotel, 51, "is survived by his wife Massiel and their children Eduardo and Nicole." Massiel Dotel's Instagram page now contains her husband's funeral announcement. People wished Massiel Dotel prayers on the Instagram page. "Oh my friend I'm so sorry, peace to your soul and calmness for yours, God will not let you go," wrote one person. On Instagram, Massiel Dotel posted other photos showing her with her husband and their family. "My valentine since 2004 ❤️ 21 años y contando… I love you 😘," she wrote with a photo showing her with her husband and a red rose. Advertisement Shortly before the tragedy, Octavio Dotel posted his final Instagram photo showing him with his kids. "With my beautiful and beloved family," he wrote with a photo on March 9 that shows him with his wife and three kids. The Houston Astros posted a tribute to Dotel after news of his death broke. Octavio Dotel #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after getting the third out of the seventh inning during Game Seven of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium on October 28, 2011 in St Louis, Missouri."We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals that passed away when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night," the team wrote on X. "Dotel, 51, spent five seasons (2000-04) of his outstanding, 15-year Major League career with the Houston Astros. While in Houston, he was one of the top relievers in all of baseball and was a significant part of a dominant bullpen that included Hall of Famer Billy Wagner and All-Star Brad Lidge. A workhorse, Dotel's club-leading 159 appearances in 2002-03 combined were second in the Majors in that span, during which he posted a 2.15 ERA," the team noted. Related: Octavio Dotel Was Alive Under Nightclub Rubble for 6 Hours
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NYC lowers flags half-staff to honor victims of Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse
Flags at City Hall and other city-owned buildings were lowered Saturday in response to this week's tragic roof collapse at a Santo Domingo nightclub that left at least 225 people dead and over 200 injured. 'We stand in solidarity with our Dominican community,' Mayor Adams wrote on X. 'We continue to mourn the more than 200 people killed in the tragic roof collapse in the Dominican Republic.'The flags will remain lowered through the weekend. Adams on Sunday will be traveling to the Dominican Republic with NYC Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who is Dominican, where they will pay their respects following Tuesday's incident. Pro-sports athletes, politicians and a fashion designer were among those inside the Jet Set nightclub when its rooftop came down in the middle of popular merengue singer Rubby Perez's performance on Tuesday, triggering a 53-hour search and rescue mission in the capital of Santo Domingo. Among the dead were Perez, former World Series champion Octavio Dotel and former Major League Baseball player Tony Blanco, father of current Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Tony Blanco Jr. Terrifying moment Dominican Republic nightclub's roof collapses, killing 113 and trapping dozens Two ex-MLB players among those killed in nightmare Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse Former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz's sister dead in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse 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' Dotel, who started as a Mets prospect and also played with the Yankees, won a ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. Blanco Sr., who played briefly for the Washington Nationals. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, reportedly alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
New York Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Why I kept Octavio Dotel's baseball card in my wallet: Meisel
One morning during spring training in 2013, Octavio Dotel and I sat at a table in the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse in Lakeland, Fla. One by one, he started to rattle off the team names. Mets. Astros. Athletics, Yankees, Royals, Braves. Not even halfway through the list, he paused. White Sox, Pirates. Dodgers, Rockies. Advertisement Another pause. Blue Jays, Cardinals. Tigers. Dotel beamed as he reached the end, having aced the pop quiz. In 43 seconds, he named all 13 teams he played for — and in the proper order. He was once a struggling starter, then a setup man who piled up strikeouts, a journeyman middle reliever, a hired gun for playoff hopefuls and a veteran nomad hanging on as long as teams kept calling. And they did, up until he approached his 40th birthday. Only 75 pitchers in big-league history have appeared in more games than Dotel's 951. Only one player, Edwin Jackson, has played for more teams. He was proud of his legacy and grateful that so many teams appreciated what he had to offer. Dotel died this week at age 51 after a roof collapsed at a concert he was attending in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I had eagerly awaited that morning in the Tigers' clubhouse 12 years ago, not just for the opportunity to test Dotel's memory, but because it was the first time I was interviewing someone I grew up admiring. How does a Cleveland kid wind up rooting for a guy pitching the seventh or eighth inning for Houston? I idolized Sammy Sosa because of his imposing stance and muscle, and because the Cubs were always on the national WGN broadcast after school. I mimicked David Justice's smooth, left-handed swing because he tormented opposing pitchers on behalf of my hometown team. But Dotel? Well, that's one of the many beauties of sports: Sometimes, we develop connections to random athletes for a bizarre reason, a level beyond 'remembering some guys,' America's true pastime. With Dotel, I can trace it back to 1999, when the Mets outlasted the Braves in Game 5 of the NLCS. Dotel, New York's ninth pitcher of the heavyweight bout, stitched together the final three innings and earned the win when Robin Ventura socked a 15th-inning grand slam, er, walk-off single over the right field fence. I can vividly recall shirking homework duties to stick with that marathon game until the end. Advertisement That winter, the Mets included Dotel in the trade package to land ace Mike Hampton from the Astros. Houston was my favorite National League team, since our golden retriever was named Astro, so I started following Dotel more closely, especially once he paired with eventual Hall of Fame closer Billy Wagner to form one of the league's most lethal late-game tandems. From 2001-04, Dotel averaged 94 innings and 121 strikeouts, to go along with a 2.64 ERA. I always traded for him when playing video games. He'd sling sliders and heaters toward the plate and I'd never worry about the eighth inning. One day, when I was in high school, I swiped the top baseball card from a stack that belonged to my then-girlfriend's brother. (Hopefully there's a statute of limitations to protect me here.) When I returned home, I pulled it out of my pocket to see whose card I had, um, acquired. There he was. Octavio Dotel, in his red No. 29 Houston jersey. You would have thought I had grabbed a T206 Honus Wagner. I stuck it in my wallet, where it remained for about five years, until the edges were worn and the stats on the back were faded and his career was reaching its end. As Dotel embarked on his final season in 2013, the Elias Sports Bureau calculated that he had appeared in a game with nearly one-quarter of the players across the league at the time. He was traded six times, including three times in a span of 361 days from July 2010 to July 2011. He pitched in the postseason for five different clubs. He dazzled in October as that 25-year-old rookie forced into action in 1999, and as a reliable righty in 2012, when he logged six scoreless outings for Detroit on the way to a World Series appearance. Many of his stops along his big-league journey were quick. The Astros were the only team with which he lasted more than two years in the majors. So, for fans of the 13 different teams that employed him, there might be a vague memory or two that stands out. But for a kid in a city he never represented, he made an indelible impression.
