Octavio Dotel, the former MLB pitcher known for his stints with the Mets and Yankees, tragically passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 51. Dotel was among the victims of a devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Reports indicate that after being rescued from the rubble, Dotel was being rushed to a local hospital when he succumbed to his injuries. The collapse, which has left at least 44 dead and 160 others injured, has shaken the Dominican Republic and the baseball community.
The news was first reported by Dominican outlet Diario Libre and independent journalist Héctor Gómez. According to their reports, Dotel was one of the many casualties of the nightclub disaster. His passing marks the end of a career that spanned 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, with Dotel playing for 13 different teams during his time in the league. His most notable tenures were with the Mets, Yankees, and the St. Louis Cardinals, where he helped secure a World Series title in 2011.
Dotel’s MLB career began in 1999 when the New York Mets signed him as a free agent. Less than a year later, he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he would spend over four seasons. In 2006, he joined the New York Yankees, adding to his lengthy list of teams. Known for his electric fastball and power pitching, Dotel played a key role as a reliable relief pitcher during his career.
Over the course of 951 innings from 1999 to 2013, Dotel accumulated a 3.78 ERA and 109 saves. His ability to strike out batters made him one of the more feared relievers of his era. Despite spending time with many different organizations, Dotel’s contributions to the game were widely respected, particularly during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he clinched the 2011 World Series.
Dotel’s untimely death has left a void in the baseball world, where he was admired not only for his skills on the mound but also for his dedication to the game. As the investigation into the nightclub collapse continues, his memory will be cherished by fans and teammates alike, who will remember him as a key figure in baseball history.
