ESPN’s Enrique Rojas reports that Albert Pujols will be the manager for the Dominican Republic at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Pujols recently led Leones del Escogido to the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) title last month and the Caribbean Series championship, further cementing his reputation as a leader in Dominican baseball.
Pujols will take over for Rodney Linares, the third base coach of the Tampa Bay Rays, who managed the Dominican squad in the 2023 WBC. Under Linares, the team entered the tournament as one of the favorites but was eliminated in the first round, failing to meet high expectations. Pujols will now be tasked with guiding the Dominican Republic back to championship contention in 2026, a tournament they previously won in 2013.
Albert Pujols to Manage Dominican Republic
It didn’t take long for Pujols to find his footing in a coaching role after his career ended. Despite being a first-time manager at the international level, Pujols brings a wealth of experience. The three-time MVP and two-time World Series champion retired after the 2022 season, finishing off a 22-year Hall of Fame-caliber career with 703 home runs (fourth-most all-time) and over 3,384 hits (10th-most all-time). On top of the 11 All-Star appearances, Pujols won six Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves and National League Rookie of the Year honors.
The Dominican Republic is expected to field another powerhouse roster in 2026, potentially led by All-Stars Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Pujols’ leadership will be crucial in harnessing that talent and delivering another deep tournament run for one of the most passionate baseball nations in the world.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is from March 5-17. The Dominican Republic will be part of Pool D, facing Venezuela, the Netherlands and Israel. Group D will play at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla. Japan are the defending champions.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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