Ex-MLB player Tony Blanco credited with saving friend before dying in Dominican Republic roof collapse

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Tony Blanco, a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Washington Nationals, was credited with saving a teammate before he died in a Dominican Republic roof collapse.

Former MLB player Esteban Germán told MLB reporter Héctor Gómez he had just returned to the bathroom and sat down at their table when Blanco noticed the ceiling started to come down. Germán said Blanco pushed him out of the way as the ceiling was getting ready to fall on him.

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Washington Nationals Tony Blanco, #28, during spring training in Viero, Florida, on March 2, 2005. (Sporting News via Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Blanco died moments later.

Blanco, World Series champion Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, the sister of ex-MLB All-Star outfielder Nelson Cruz, were among the nearly 100 people who died when the roof collapsed at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo early Tuesday morning.

MLB Commisioner Rob Manfred was among those who paid tribute to those who were lost.

"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," he said. "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."

A police officer reacts during the search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday,