Tigers, Dominican Republic to play series in memory of nightclub tragedy

The Detroit Tigers will travel to Santo Domingo to play a two-game series against the Dominican Republic's national team March 3-4 to honor the victims of a mass casualty event there last spring.

It will mark the first time the Dominican Republic will host a major league club for exhibition games in the country, according to Major League Baseball.

The games will be played in the days leading up to the start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, when many other national teams are slated to play friendlies against MLB teams at spring training sites in Florida and Arizona.

Nelson Cruz -- the Dominican former major league star now serving as the league's special adviser for baseball operations -- presented the idea for the series to commissioner Rob Manfred and Dominican President Luis Abinader. Cruz is also as the Dominican Republic national team's general manager for the WBC cycle, and his idea quickly gained traction from future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, who will manage the Dominican team.

"The tragedy in the Dominican Republic claimed the lives of more than 200 people and impacted countless others, including many members of the baseball family," Manfred said in a statement. "Playing these two games gives us an opportunity to honor the lives of those tragically lost last April and raise funds for the Dominican Red Cross in their memory. We appreciate the efforts of President Luis Abinader and the leadership of our colleague Nelson Cruz, who was instrumental to this initiative. I also want to thank the Detroit Tigers, who will share the field with the DR National Team in front of their home fans as they prepare for the most anticipated World Baseball Classic yet."

The tragedy occurred at popular Santo Domingo nightclub Jet Set, where the roof collapsed and injured hundreds of clubgoers last April. Former major leaguers Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, as well as Cruz's sister Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of the Monte Cristi province, died from their injuries.

Dotel, a relief pitcher, concluded his 15-year MLB career with two seasons for the Tigers (2012-13).

"I thank Major League Baseball and President Abinader for working together to celebrate the Dominican National Team with the great fans of our country in a series with the Detroit Tigers," Cruz said in a statement. "We will use the platform provided by our game to remember the lives we lost last April and to honor their legacies through our donation to Cruz Roja Dominicana. We are proud to shine a light on what baseball means to our country, how it brings us together, and all the good that it can accomplish."

--Field Level Media