Former MLB outfielder Tony Blanco saved 10-year veteran Esteban German by pushing him out of the way while the roof collapsed in the Dominic Republic nightclub tragedy Tuesday that killed Blanco and at least 100 others, German told reporter Hector Gomez.
German said he was returning from the bathroom and prepared to sit down when Blanco shoved him out of the way while the roof collapsed at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo.
Blanco, 43, and longtime MLB reliever Octavio Dotel, 51, were among those killed, with at least 113 deaths reported and more than 255 people suffering injuries, authorities told the Associated Press.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of former Major Leaguer Tony Blanco in Tuesday’s tragedy in the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo,” MLB wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, which includes Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League player Tony Blanco Jr.”
German and Blanco served as teammates on the 2015 Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League, according to thebaseballcube.com.
The Japan stint followed German spending 10 seasons in the majors with the Rangers (four years), Royals (three years) and Athletics (three years) from 2002-11.
German, a native of the Dominican Republic, opened his career with the 2002 A’s and appeared in 409 career games. He slashed .280/.359/.386 with eight career homers.
He produced two quality seasons while appearing in more than 100 games in each campaign for the Royals from 2006-07, posting an .880 OPS in 2006 and a .727 OPS in a career-best 121 games in 2007.
Blanco spent just one season in the majors, appearing in 56 games for the 2005 Nationals in their inaugural seasons and hitting .177 with one homer and seven RBIs.
“We deeply regret the passing of former Major League Baseball player Tony Blanco,” the Dominican Republic Ministry of Sports and Recreation posted on X, as translated by Google.
“His legacy will live on in the history of national baseball. We share in their grief with their family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal rest. Peace to his soul.”
Former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz’s sister, Nelsy, was among those who also died in the collapse.
Popular merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the tragedy unfolded, also died.