Former MLB Player Tony Blanco Dies Heroically While Rescuing Friend in Dominican Nightclub Roof Collapse
Former Major League Baseball (MLB) players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco were among the 124 individuals who lost their lives in an upscale nightclub in Santo Domingo on April 8 due to a roof collapse, as reported by authorities in the Dominican Republic.
According to officials, approximately 160 people sustained injuries when the ceiling of the discotheque unexpectedly fell during a merengue concert featuring singer Rubby Pérez.
Jet Set, the one-story lounge, was a favored spot among politicians and athletes, including Blanco, 43, who played for the Washington Nationals in 2005, hitting one home run in 56 games.
MLB reporter Héctor Gómez shared on X that Tony Blanco heroically saved former MLB player Esteban Germán, 47, just moments before the ceiling collapsed.
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Octavio Dotel of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants during Game Four of the Major League Baseball World Series in Detroit on Oct. 28, 2012. He died on April 8, 2025. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Dotel, who played as a pitcher for 13 MLB teams over a span of 15 years, secured a World Series title while with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
NTD reported that, although responders managed to pull Dotel from the wreckage and transported him to a nearby hospital, the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic later confirmed on the social platform X that Dotel had passed away as well.
Among other injured individuals were Dominican Republic legislator Bray Vargas and singer Rubby Pérez, who was on stage at the time of the incident.
“Major League Baseball is profoundly saddened by the loss of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” Commissioner Manfred expressed.
Nelsy Cruz served as the governor of Monte Cristi province and was the sister of MLB player Nelson Cruz, a seven-time All-Star.
First Lady Raquel Abaje informed reporters that Nelsy Cruz had reached out to President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., indicating she was trapped and stating that a roof collapse had occurred.
Officials later confirmed that Nelsy Cruz passed away in the hospital.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those affected, as well as to our colleague Nelson and his entire family,” Manfred added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From NTD News
