The baseball world is mourning the loss of Octavio Dotel, a former MLB player and World Series champion, after he tragically passed away in a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday morning. Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Robert Manfred expressed his condolences, stating, “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson [Cruz] and his entire family.”
Tributes from the New York Mets and Houston Astros:
The New York Mets, who Dotel made his Major League debut with in June 1999, paid tribute before their game against the Miami Marlins, holding a moment of silence in his honor. Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza shared his thoughts, addressing the loss and emphasizing the strong bond between baseball and the Dominican Republic, where many players and fans are deeply affected by the loss.
The Houston Astros, the team Dotel spent much of his career with, also released a heartfelt statement, expressing their sorrow. The team reflected on Dotel’s legacy, noting his consistency and leadership on the mound, especially during his 159 appearances in 2002-03, which led the team and contributed to his impressive 2.15 ERA.
The Tragic Incident:
Dotel, aged 51, was among the at least 44 victims who died after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed. Rescue operations are ongoing, as efforts continue to rescue more than 100 individuals still trapped under the rubble. MLB Insider Héctor Gómez reported that Dotel was pulled from the wreckage but sadly passed away while en route to the hospital.
