Report: Albert Pujols Set to Manage Dominican Republic at 2026 World Baseball Classic

St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels legend Albert Pujols is reportedly set to represent his country in next year's World Baseball Classic.

According to ESPN's Enrique Rojas (h/t B/R Walk-Off), Pujols is set to serve as manager of the Dominican Republic team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Pujols, who is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, previously played for Team DR in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.

The 45-year-old Pujols is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and he will almost certainly be a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer.

Over 22 MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers from 2001 to 2022, Pujols slashed .296/.374/.544 with 703 home runs, 2,218 RBI and 3,384 hits.

Pujols is fourth on the all-time home runs list, as well as second in RBI and 10th in base hits.

He is also an 11-time All-Star, three-time National League MVP, six-time Silver Slugger Award winner, two-time Gold Glove Award winner, one-time batting champion and two-time World Series champion, solidifying his status as the greatest Dominican player of all time.

Great players don't always translate into great managers, but the early returns have been good for Pujols.

He was named manager of the Dominican Professional Baseball League's Leones del Escogido last year, and he led the team to a championship in January.

It marked the first Dominican League title for Leones del Escogido since the 2015-16 season.

Despite the immense amount of MLB talent the Dominican Republic produces, Team DR has only reached the World Baseball Classic final once, beating Puerto Rico for the title in 2013.

In 2026, a Dominican WBC team could be comprised of superstars such as New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto, Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramirez, San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatís Jr., Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, Padres third baseman Manny Machado and Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase to name a few.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5 through March 17, 2026, with games being played in Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico.