Octavio Dotel, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who once held the record for playing with 13 different teams, died Tuesday at age 51 following a roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The incident occurred during a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub, leaving at least 79 dead and 160 injured, according to local officials.
While officials first reported that Dotel had been rescued and taken to a hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries. His death was confirmed by Satosky Terrero, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League, according to the Associated Press.
In addition to Dotel, the collapse also claimed the lives of former MLB player Tony Blanco and Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi and sister of former MLB star Nelson Cruz. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement expressing condolences, noting the deep bond between baseball and the Dominican Republic.
Dotel’s MLB career spanned 15 years, beginning with the New York Mets in 1999. He transitioned from a starting pitcher to a reliable reliever, playing for 13 teams — a record later surpassed by Edwin Jackson in 2019. Dotel was a key part of the Houston Astros’ bullpen in the early 2000s and helped pitch a combined no-hitter against the Yankees in 2003. He also contributed to the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series title and the Dominican Republic’s perfect run in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
He retired with 1,143 strikeouts, 109 saves, and a 3.78 ERA over 951 innings pitched. The Mets honored Dotel with a moment of silence before their game against Miami.
Dotel was briefly linked to a 2019 drug trafficking investigation but was later cleared due to insufficient evidence.
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