Former Dodgers Pitcher, Sister of LA Advisor Among Those Dead in Tragic Night Club Incident in Dominican Republic
Former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel, fellow former Major Leaguer Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the sister of longtime Major League player and current MLB Special Advisor to Baseball Operations Nelson Cruz, tragically died in a night club incident in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
Dotel spent one season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Nelsy Cruz is the sister of Nelson Cruz, who has been a special advisor for the Dodgers among many other things in his post-playing career.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement on the tragic incident in Santo Domingo.
“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. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. 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.”
MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark released a statement, too.
“The Players Association is devastated beyond words by the tragic events of Tuesday morning in the Dominican Republic. We grieve for all the victims and send a special message of support to the families of Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, who leave an unspeakable void with their passing, and to Nelson Cruz, whose family lost a shining light with the death of his sister, Nelsy. Amid the incomprehensible sadness, we stand united with the Dominican community and keep the island in our thoughts and our prayers as this situation continues to unfold.”
At least 66 are dead and more than 150 people were taken to the hospital after the roof of a night club collapsed in the Dominican Republic. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. at the Jet Set nightclub in Santa Domingo.
Dotel played for 13 teams in his Major League career that spanned 15 seasons. He appeared in 19 games with the Dodgers in 2010, and won the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Blanco appeared in 56 games with the Washington Nationals in 2005.
Nelsy Cruz was the Governor of the Dominican Republic’s Monte Cristi province.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
