Dotel Petitions MLB For New Nickname

Free-agent relief pitcher Octavio Dotel has formally asked Major League Baseball for a new nickname in the wake of actions taken in Washington, D.C. today.

President Obama signed into law the repeal of the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gay and lesbian members of the U.S. Military. Since the inception of the policy in the Clinton Administration, Dotel had been routinely called, "Octavio 'Don't Ask' Dotel" by such luminaries as ESPN's Chris Berman.

The MLB Office Of Humorous Monikers (OHM) is taking Dotel's request under advisement and may issue a new nickname as early as the start of Spring Training. Dotel has been pursued by a number of teams this Winter—including the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees. His agent fears that the lack of a catchy nickname might reduce his client's value in the free-agent marketplace.