Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was among the dozens killed when the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
At least 58 people died and 160 were injured at the Santo Domingo nightclub where a politician and an athlete were attending a merengue concert. In 1999, at 51, Dotel began his 15-year MLB career with the New York Mets. From 2000 to 2004, he played for a record 13 teams, the Houston Astros being the most common. He reached a career-high while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, who won the World Series in 2011. 2013 was his final primary league season with the Detroit Tigers. Dotel was known as a strikeout pitcher and at his peak was one of the best relievers in the league.
The Astros stated on Tuesday. The Astros released a statement that read, “We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several people who died when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night.” Dotel was a pitcher for the Astros. He was a key member of a dominant bullpen that also included All-Star Brad Lidge and Hall of Famer Billy Wagner. He was one of baseball’s best relievers while he was in Houston. 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.”
Longtime Mets play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen said, “Everyone who ever met Octavio loved him” on Tuesday afternoon’s Mets-Marlins broadcast. Dominican baseball player Tony Blanco was killed in the collapse. He had briefly played for the Washington Nationals in 2005.
On his way to the majors, Dotel overcame several obstacles, including the death of his father, who was killed in a robbery. Dotel claimed that baseball helped him forget about his father’s death. Dotel stated, “I can do nothing if I go to the ballpark and think about him constantly.” I simply need to keep working hard to achieve my goals. Because I’m here, I believe God helps me. I appreciate your presence here. I would enjoy it more if my dad was still here, but everybody’s got to die.”
The nightclub where the tragedy on Tuesday occurred, Jet Set, claims that it is working with the authorities. “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” the nightclub said in a statement.
