Albert Pujols, the legendary slugger and future Hall of Famer, has been appointed as the manager of the Dominican Republic team for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic. He made this announcement during a press conference at Angels spring training on Sunday.
After retiring from playing following a remarkable 2022 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he reached the 700 home run milestone, Pujols transitioned into a managerial role. He led Leones del Escogido to victory in the 2024-25 Dominican Winter League and secured a win over Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco in the Caribbean Series. Pujols expressed his long-standing MLB managerial aspirations during the press conference.
“Whenever the opportunity presents itself, whether this year or next year, I am open to it,” he stated.
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Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Pujols represented the D.R. in the 2006 WBC tournament. Despite a disappointing performance in the 2023 WBC, where they finished 2-2 and did not advance past the group stage, the Dominican Republic remains a baseball powerhouse. They claimed their first and only WBC title in 2013. Japan, the defending champions with three titles, will be a strong contender in the 2026 tournament.
The 2026 WBC, featuring 20 teams, is scheduled from March 5 to March 17 next year. The Dominican Republic is placed in Pool D alongside Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel, and a team yet to be determined through qualifiers. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the quarterfinals.
Despite the setbacks of 2023, the Dominican Republic boasts a talented roster and is expected to be a top contender in the 2026 WBC.
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