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Tigers Honor Tragedy with Dominican Games
9 Dec
Summary
- Dominican Republic hosts Tigers for exhibition games in March.
- Games honor victims of a recent Santo Domingo nightclub roof collapse.
- Proceeds benefit the Dominican Red Cross in memory of the lost.
The Dominican Republic national team is set to host the Detroit Tigers for two exhibition games on March 3 and 4 in Santo Domingo. These matchups are dedicated to honoring the victims of a tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub last April, an event that resulted in over 200 fatalities and deeply impacted many within the baseball community. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted the games' dual purpose: to commemorate the lives lost and generate funds for the Dominican Red Cross.
The exhibition series will also serve as a crucial preparation period for the Dominican Republic's national team as they gear up for the World Baseball Classic, with their first tournament game scheduled for March 6 in Miami. Nelson Cruz, the team's general manager and a former seven-time MLB All-Star, tragically lost his sister in the nightclub disaster. The idea for these games originated from discussions between Cruz and Omar Minaya during the last offseason.
Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal will be the venue for these significant games, having previously hosted MLB exhibition events. The Detroit Tigers expressed their honor in participating, recognizing the unique and meaningful opportunity to play on a global stage in remembrance of the victims. This event marks the first time the Dominican National Team will host an MLB franchise on their home soil, underscoring the profound connection between baseball and the community.
