Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has issued a statement confirming some of the tragic news that came out of the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
Dominican authorities have said that more than 60 people died and dozens of others were injured when the roof collapsed during a concert at a nightclub called Jet Set in Santo Domingo early Tuesday morning. Reports indicated that at least three former MLB players were at the venue.
Two of the former players — World Series champion relief pitcher Octavio Dotel and first baseman Tony Blanco — have died. Nelsy Cruz, the sister of former MLB star and current MLB Special Advisor to Baseball Operations Nelson Cruz, was also among the deceased. Nelsy was the governor of the Dominican Republic’s Monte Cristi province.
Manfred issued a statement addressing the tragedy on Tuesday evening.
“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,” Commissioner Rob Manfred wrote. “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.”
