Billy Smith died.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/mlb ... ay-2058969
Who was
Billy Smith?
Billy Lavern Smith (1954–2025) was a right-handed pitcher who played briefly in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros during the 1981 season. Drafted in the 14th round by the Astros in 1977, he spent four years in the minors primarily as a starter before being called up in 1981. He debuted on June 9 against the Phillies, allowing two earned runs in two innings, including a home run to Bob Boone. After the player strike, Smith became a key part of Houston’s bullpen during the second half of the season, earning his only career save on August 12 and his only win on August 29 with seven scoreless innings in his only career start. He finished the season with a 1–1 record and a 2.41 ERA in nine games, and made a brief postseason appearance in the NL Division Series, retiring Dusty Baker on a groundout. Smith returned to the minors in 1982 but struggled with a 7.15 ERA, marking the end of his professional career. A tall pitcher at 6'7", Smith played college baseball at Sam Houston State and Wharton County Junior College. He should not be confused with another Billy Smith who played as a position player in the National League the same year.
Nate Oliver died.
https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/former-dodg ... 8ec674e640
Who was
Nate Oliver?
Nathaniel "Pee Wee" Oliver (1940–2025) was a professional baseball player who spent seven years in the major leagues during the 1960s, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Signed by the Dodgers in 1959, he worked his way through the minors before making his MLB debut in 1963. That year, the Dodgers won the World Series, although Oliver did not appear in the series. His most productive MLB season came in 1964, when he batted .243 over 99 games. He later played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs, finishing his career in 1969. Known primarily as a second baseman, Oliver was a light hitter with speed and defensive versatility.
After his playing career, Oliver managed and coached in various minor league systems, including stints with teams affiliated with the Angels and Cubs, and served as a bunting instructor with the Chicago White Sox. He also managed the Saskatoon Legends in the Canadian Baseball League in 2003.
Oliver was part of a baseball family; his father, Jim Oliver Sr., played in the Negro Leagues, and his brother Jim also played professionally. James Oliver Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, was named in honor of his father. Nate Oliver passed away on April 5, 2025.
Tony Blanco died.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ex-mlb-p ... f-collapse
Who was
Tony Blanco?
Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera (1980–2025) was a Dominican professional baseball player known for his power hitting and versatility at first base, third base, and the outfield. He briefly played in Major League Baseball with the Washington Nationals in 2005, appearing in 56 games. Blanco had a much more prolific career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, where he played eight seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and Orix Buffaloes. He was a four-time All-Star and three-time Best Nine Award winner, leading the Central League in home runs and RBIs in both 2009 and 2013. Overall, he hit 181 home runs in NPB with a .272 average.
Blanco began his professional career in the Boston Red Sox system and was later traded to the Cincinnati Reds. After a strong minor league run and a standout season with the Tulsa Drillers in 2008, he transitioned to NPB where he found significant success. He was also known for his performance in the Dominican Winter League.
Blanco died at age 44 during the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo on April 8, 2025. He reportedly died while saving fellow former player Esteban Germán. Also killed in the tragedy were former MLB player Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, sister of Nelson Cruz. Blanco’s legacy continues through his son, Tony Jr., a minor leaguer in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Also, who was
Octavio Dotel?
Octavio Eduardo Dotel Díaz was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1999 to 2013. A right-hander known for his power arm and strikeout ability, Dotel played for a record 13 MLB teams during his career, including notable stints with the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Detroit Tigers. Signed by the New York Mets in 1993, he made his MLB debut in 1999 and earned a postseason win in the NLCS that same year. Though he started his career as a starter, he transitioned into a reliable reliever and closer, finishing with 109 saves and a 10.8 K/9 rate—then the best for any right-handed pitcher with over 900 innings.
Dotel was a key bullpen piece for the Astros in the early 2000s, helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series, and represented the Dominican Republic in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, becoming one of the few players to win both a World Series and a WBC title. He had a journeyman career marked by injuries, including Tommy John surgery, but continued to contribute effectively for various clubs. After retiring in 2014, he held the MLB record for most teams played for until it was surpassed in 2019.
Off the field, Dotel's life had moments of tragedy and controversy. His father was murdered shortly after he signed his first professional contract. In 2019, he was briefly caught up in a high-profile criminal investigation in the Dominican Republic, though most charges were dropped. He passed away tragically on April 8, 2025, at age 51, due to injuries sustained in a nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo that claimed over 100 lives.