What began as a regular night of live music and dancing at a popular Santo Domingo nightclub turned into a heartbreaking tragedy.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was among the victims who lost their lives when the ceiling of Jet Set nightclub suddenly gave way during a performance in the early hours of Tuesday.
A Sudden Collapse and Desperate Final Moments
Dotel, 51, was reportedly near the front of the stage around 12:44 a.m. local time when part of the ceiling came crashing down mid-performance.
Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez was performing live when the unexpected collapse sent debris flying into the crowd.
At first, there were glimmers of hope. Local reports suggested that Dotel had been pulled from the rubble while crying out for help. But sadly, that hope quickly faded.
According to Dominican outlet Diario Libre, Dotel was taken to Armed Forces Central Hospital without any signs of life. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center confirmed that, alongside Dotel, at least 44 people were killed and over 140 others were rushed to area hospitals. Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing.
Dotel’s Career: A True Baseball Journeyman
Octavio Dotel’s baseball legacy is one defined by resilience and adaptability.
Over a 15-season career in the majors, he pitched for a record 13 teams—more than any player in MLB history at the time. “I’ve been all over the place,” he once said in an ESPN interview.
“Every division, too: West, Central, East. National League – boom, boom, boom. American League – boom, boom, boom.”
His journey began in 1993 when he signed as an international free agent with the New York Mets.
He made his MLB debut in June 1999. By the end of that year, he was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for All-Star pitcher Mike Hampton.
Dotel quickly became a reliable bullpen arm during his four-plus seasons in Houston.
Bouncing Around the League, but Always Making an Impact
After Houston, Dotel had stints with some of the biggest names in baseball: the Yankees, Braves, Royals, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, and more.
He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 but was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals mid-season.
That trade proved pivotal. Dotel played an important role in helping the Cardinals secure their second World Series title in five years.
He posted a solid 3.28 ERA in 29 games, pitched scoreless innings in the Division Series, and was part of the team’s Game 7 World Series win against the Texas Rangers.
He later signed with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year deal, continuing to bring his veteran presence to the bullpen.
The Night of the Collapse
Dotel was attending the Jet Set nightclub’s live show featuring Rubby Pérez when the tragedy struck.
Eyewitness footage shared online captured the moment part of the ceiling collapsed mid-performance, causing panic as the crowd scrambled to safety.
Zulinka Pérez, Rubby’s daughter and a member of the band, told reporters that her father had been trapped under the rubble but continued to sing—desperately hoping his voice would help rescuers locate him.
Rescue teams are now using thermal imaging to locate anyone still trapped beneath the debris.
A Nation in Mourning
The loss of Octavio Dotel has sent shockwaves across the Dominican Republic and the baseball world alike.
A beloved figure both on and off the field, his death adds to the tragedy of an already devastating event.
As the country continues to recover from this horrific collapse, tributes are pouring in for a man who touched the lives of many through his passion for the game and his larger-than-life personality.
