Longtime MLB relief pitcher Octavio Dotel was among the dozens of people killed in the Dominican Republic when a nightclub roof collapsed in Santo Domingo, officials said Tuesday.
The nation’s sports minister, Kelvin Cruz, confirmed Dotel, 51, who pitched for 13 teams, was among the victims.
"We deeply regret the passing of former Major Leagues and Immortal of Dominican Sport, Octavio Dotel," Cruz said in a statement.
"His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on national baseball history. Peace to his soul and strength to his family and loved ones."
Dotel, a right-hander, broke into the big leagues with the New York Mets in 1999.
"We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel," the Mets said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic."
Dotel's best years were in Houston, where he pitched from 2000 through half of 2004.
He appeared in 302 games, logged 449 innings and compiled a 3.25 ERA, a particularly effective record pitching in a hitter-friendly park during one of baseball's most offense-dominant eras.
Dotel won a World Series ring with the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals.
He played in 758 games for the Mets, Astros, Cardinals, Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers.
"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 Astros said.
"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."
Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Montecristi province and sister of longtime MLB slugger Nelson Cruz, was also among those killed in the roof collapse, relatives and authorities said.
Cruz, who played for eight teams, announced his sister's death on his Instagram story and said that her remains “will be on display at the Provincial Government of Montecristi” on Tuesday afternoon and that a funeral will be held in the evening.
Cruz works as a consultant to MLB, concentrating on Latin American issues.
Longtime minor league player Tony Blanco, 43, was also among the victims, officials said.
Blanco, who played in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, spent eight seasons in Japan during his 17-year career.
“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," MLB Commissioner Ron Manfred said in a statement.
"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.”
