Tony Blanco, a former Major League baseball player who played for Washington Nationals, was credited to save a teammate before dying in a Dominican Republic’s roof collapse.
Former MLB player Esteban Germán told MLB reporter Héctor Gómez that he had just returned to the bathroom and sat down at their table when Blanco noticed that the ceiling began to come down. Germán said Blanco pushed him out of the way when the ceiling was ready to fall on him.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Washington Nationals Tony Blanco, #28, during spring training in Viero, Florida, on March 2, 2005. (Sporting News via Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Blanco died moments later.
Blanco, World Series Master Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, the sister of ex-MLB All-Star Outfielder Nelson Cruz, were among the nearly 100 people who died when the roof collapsed at Jet Set Club in Santo Domingo early Tuesday morning.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred was among those who hailed those lost.
“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passages of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz and all victims of yesterday’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” he said. “We send our heartfelt compassion to 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 is running deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”
A police officer responds during the search for survivors at Jet Set Nightclub after its roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)
Mariners’ Victor Robles Fractures shoulder after slamming into the wall
People gather outside the Jet Set -Night Club after its roof collapsed during a Merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)
Officials said the death toll rose to 98 when rescuers continued their hectic search for any survivor.
Juan Manuel Mendez, director of emergency operations, said Tuesday night emergency staff who were still aiming through the rubble.
“We are looking for people tirelessly,” said Méndez.
Jet Set is famous in the Dominican Republic for its Monday parties where recognized artists perform. Merengue singer Rubby Perez appeared when the roof collapsed and is among the missing.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake, “said Perez’s manager Enrique Paulino.
Blanco, 43, played for Nationals in 2005. He appeared in 56 games and had a home drive. He spent most of his career either in the smaller leagues or in Japan. His son, Tony Blanco Jr., is in Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system.
Members of Seattle Mariners stand in a moment of silence for Octavio Dotel, a former MLB player who died in a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic, before a baseball match between Mariners and Houston Astros Tuesday 8 April 8, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Dotel, 51, played 15 years in Majors and won a world series with St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. He spent five of the 15 years of Houston Astros. He picked up 109 savings in his career along with a 3.78 era.
