The tragic death of Tony Blanco: memory of the baseball player who died in the Dominican Republic
10 april 2025 в 06:13
Tony Blanco tragically died as a result of the collapse of the roof of the Jet Set club in the Dominican Republic in April 2025. After news of the incident became known, Major League Baseball expressed condolences for the death of the 43-year-old baseball player in a statement published on their X account.
«We deeply mourn the sudden and tragic death of former Major League player Tony Blanco on Tuesday during the tragedy in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo», - MLB wrote on Twitter. «Blanco played in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, including the team’s first game in history. He spent 9 professional seasons in the USA and another 8 in the Japanese NPB. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, including minor league player Pittsburgh Pirates Tony Blanco Jr».
Below, we remember Blanco’s life and career.
Blanco was born in the Dominican Republic, in San Juan de la Maguana.
Throughout his career in the minor and major leagues, Blanco played as a first and third baseman, as well as in center field.
Blanco began his baseball career in the minor leagues. In the early 2000s, he played third base in the Boston Red Sox farm system. In 2005, he made his MLB debut with the Nationals. He then continued his baseball career with various teams, including Double-A Tulsa Drillers in the Colorado Rockies organization. He last played from 2015 to 2016 with the Orix Buffaloes.
Blanco was at the Jet Set club in April 2025 when it suddenly collapsed, resulting in the death of over a hundred people and injuring many others. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation of the Dominican Republic confirmed Blanco’s death in an official statement, which was translated from Spanish to English.
«We deeply regret the death of former Major League player Tony Blanco», - the ministry’s statement read. «His legacy will remain in the history of national baseball. We join in mourning with his family, friends, and teammates and offer prayers for his eternal rest. Rest in peace, his soul»
«We deeply mourn the sudden and tragic death of former Major League player Tony Blanco on Tuesday during the tragedy in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo», - MLB wrote on Twitter. «Blanco played in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, including the team’s first game in history. He spent 9 professional seasons in the USA and another 8 in the Japanese NPB. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, including minor league player Pittsburgh Pirates Tony Blanco Jr».
Below, we remember Blanco’s life and career.
Blanco was born in the Dominican Republic, in San Juan de la Maguana.
Throughout his career in the minor and major leagues, Blanco played as a first and third baseman, as well as in center field.
Blanco began his baseball career in the minor leagues. In the early 2000s, he played third base in the Boston Red Sox farm system. In 2005, he made his MLB debut with the Nationals. He then continued his baseball career with various teams, including Double-A Tulsa Drillers in the Colorado Rockies organization. He last played from 2015 to 2016 with the Orix Buffaloes.
Blanco was at the Jet Set club in April 2025 when it suddenly collapsed, resulting in the death of over a hundred people and injuring many others. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation of the Dominican Republic confirmed Blanco’s death in an official statement, which was translated from Spanish to English.
«We deeply regret the death of former Major League player Tony Blanco», - the ministry’s statement read. «His legacy will remain in the history of national baseball. We join in mourning with his family, friends, and teammates and offer prayers for his eternal rest. Rest in peace, his soul»
© Smirnova Olga
