Octavio Dotel, a champion launcher of the World Series, was among the victims of the collapse of the nightclub of the Dominican Republic, according to several reports.
Dotel was from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and was inside the Jet Set nightclub early Tuesday when the roof fell while singer Rubby Pérez occurred on stage.
Dotel and Pérez were then drawn from the rubble. But the World Series champion would then have succumbed to his injuries. The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic has confirmed the death of Dotel.
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The former launcher of the Major Baseball League, Octavio Dottel, was one of the victims of the collapse of the nightclub of the Dominican Republic. (Kim Klement / USA TODAY SPORTS)
“The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic (LIDOM), expresses its regret for the death of the old launcher, Octavio Dotel, who was immortal of the renowned Pavilion of Dominican sport. Peace to his soul,” wrote the League in an article on social media translated into English.
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General Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the emergency operations center, also told Doticias SIN of Dominican newspaper that Dotel had died.
The rescuers are looking for survivors in the Jet Set nightclub after his roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, early Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Noticias sin via AP)
A spokesman for the Dominican national police confirmed that Dotel had died while he was in transit in the hospital.
“Dotel was taken to one of the designated hospitals. On the way, his condition worsened and he died,” said police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira.
PK Press Club Digital contacted the emergency operations center and a listed agent for Dotel to comment but did not immediately hear.
Dotel played for the Astros of Houston from 2000 to 04. The team paid tribute to the late launcher on Tuesday afternoon.
The number of confirmed deaths had reached 58 years before Tuesday afternoon, said Méndez. Earlier, officials said there had been at least 160 people injured.
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwest province of Montecristi and sister of the seven times MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was also one of the victims. She had called the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, at 12:49 p.m., the local time, saying that she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, the first lady of the Dominican Republic, Raquet Abraje, told journalists.
Officials said Cruz died later in the hospital.
Dotel played for 13 MLB teams during his 15 -year career in major league. He made his debut with the New York Mets And appeared for the last time in a match with the Detroit Tigers in 2013.
Dotel played for 13 MLB teams during his 15 -year career in major league. (Dennis Wierzbicki / USA TODAY SPORTS)
The launcher was a member of the Cardinals team of St. Louis who beat the Texas Rangers in the seventh match of the World Series 2011. He ended his great career in the league with 109 stops.
Dotel is survived by his wife Massiel and their two children, according to his biography listed by the MLB.
