Albert Pujols is taking on a new challenge in baseball – he’ll be managing the Dominican Republic team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The baseball legend shared the news with reporters at Angels spring training on Sunday.
It’s a natural fit for Pujols, who just wrapped up an incredible 22-year playing career in 2022. That final season was something special – he joined the exclusive 700 home run club and put on a show that baseball fans won’t soon forget.
He’s already proving himself in the dugout. Pujols just led Leones del Escogido to win both the Dominican Winter League and the Caribbean Series, beating Mexico’s team in the final.
And he’s not stopping there. When asked about possibly managing in the major leagues, Pujols didn’t hesitate: “Whenever the opportunity comes, if there’s something knocking this year or next year, I mean, why not?”
The 45-year-old knows the World Baseball Classic well. He played for his home country back in 2006, representing Santo Domingo, where he grew up.
The Dominican team could use his leadership. They had a tough time in 2023, winning just two games and getting knocked out early. It was a disappointment for a country that lives and breathes baseball.
The 2026 tournament runs March 5-17, with 20 teams competing. The Dominican Republic will play in Pool D against Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel, and one more team that still needs to qualify.
They’ll be looking to recapture the magic of 2013 – the only time they’ve won the whole thing. Japan, who’s won it three times now, will be defending their title.
With Pujols at the helm and the country’s deep pool of talent, the Dominican Republic should be one of the favorites to win it all. Baseball fans will be watching to see if the hitting legend can work the same kind of magic from the manager’s spot.
