Baseball

Ex-NPB Star Tony Blanco Dies in Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse

An accomplished power hitter, Tony Blanco was a four-time NPB All-Star and won home run, batting and RBI titles during his career in Japan. He was 43.

by
Ed Odeven
April 9, 2025

Former NPB slugger Tony Blanco was one of more than 100 people who died after the roof collapsed at a popular Dominican Republic nightclub on Tuesday, April 8. The accident occurred in Santo Domingo, the nation's capital, and more than 150 people were also injured.

Blanco was 43. Ex-MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was 51, was also among the victims.

They were attending a merengue concert at Jet Set and the roof collapsed at around 12:45 AM on Tuesday.

A former MLB player with the Washington Nationals in 2005, Blanco suited up for NPB's Chunichi Dragons (2009-12), Yokohama DeNA BayStars (2013-14) and Orix Buffaloes (2015-16).

Blanco was a four-time NPB All-Star and a three-time Central League Best Nine selection as a first baseman.

He led the CL in home runs (39) and RBIs (110) in 2009. In 2013, he was the CL batting champion (.333) and drove in a league-best 136 runs while clouting 41 home runs.

Mourning Their Deaths

The global baseball community is mourning the deaths of Dotel, Blanco and Nelsy Cruz, the sister of former MLB outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz, who is now employed in an advisory role for MLB's baseball operations. Nelsy Cruz was the governor of the nation's Monte Cristi province.

"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," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "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."

MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark also issued a statement.

"We grieve for all the victims and send a special message of support to the families of Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, who leave an unspeakable void with their passing, and to Nelson Cruz, whose family lost a shining light with the death of his sister, Nelsy," Clark said.

Tony Blanco: An Integral Part of Dragons' Success

During his four seasons in a Chunichi uniform, cleanup hitter Blanco helped lead the Dragons to the playoffs each season, including Central League pennants in 2010 and '11.

In 2011, the Dragons came within one win of a Japan Series title. They lost 3-0 in Game 7 of the best-of-seven series to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Looking back on Blanco's successful tenure with the Dragons, ex-teammate Kazuki Inoue described him as "a massive help to us," Kyodo News reported.

"He had a very good character, too, and really wanted to acclimate to Japan," added Chunichi's current manager.

Dragons pitching coach Daisuke Yamai, who was Blanco's teammate in his four seasons with the Nagoya-based club, remembered the Dominican as both a competitor and a friend.

"He was an important member of the team with whom I was able to experience victory together," Yamai was quoted as saying by NHK. "In his playing days, he had a gentle side that was considerate of his fellow players and a dependable side as the No 4 hitter."

Added Yamai, "I wanted him to pass on his knowledge of baseball to the younger generation. I am very sorry for his loss, [and] I pray for his soul to rest in peace."

Blanco appeared in 100 or more games in only three of his eight NPB seasons. But he was a dynamic presence in the lineup when he played, smacking 181 homers and driving in 542 runs in 750 regular-season games. His NPB career batting average was .272. What's more, he had a robust .517 slugging percentage.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.