On Tuesday, the New York Mets paid tribute to former player Octavio Dotel following the tragic news of his death. Dotel, a World Series champion, was killed when the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed. The Mets honored him with a moment of silence before their game against the Miami Marlins, remembering the player who made his Major League debut with them in June 1999.
In addition to the tribute, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke at a pre-game press conference, addressing the heartbreaking loss. “We have a lot of Dominican community in the baseball world,” he said, expressing his condolences. “So our prayers to their families.” The outpouring of support was felt across the baseball community.
The Houston Astros, the team where Dotel spent the majority of his career, also shared their sorrow over his passing. They released a statement describing their heartbreak, noting his impressive achievements during his time with the team. Dotel’s 159 appearances in 2002-03 led the club, and his 2.15 ERA during that period ranked among the best in the Majors.
Dotel was among at least 44 victims who lost their lives after the Jet Set nightclub’s roof collapsed early Tuesday morning in Santo Domingo. Rescue efforts continue, with around 100 people still trapped under the debris. MLB Insider Héctor Gómez was the first to report that Dotel had been pulled from the rubble, but later confirmed that he tragically died en route to the hospital. RIP.
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