Legendary slugger and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Albert Pujols has been named manager of the Dominican Republic team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he told reporters at Angels spring training Sunday.

Longtime St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels superstar Albert Pujols will officially manager the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but his journey might not end there.

Future Hall of Famer views these managerial opportunities as a chance to grow, with the ultimate goal of becoming a big league skipper.

After leading Leones del Escogido to the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) championship in the 2024-25 winter season -- his first managerial experience -- followed by the 2025 Caribbean Series crown in Mexicali earlier this month,

Albert Pujols is ready to chase another title. According to multiple reports on Friday, Pujols is set to return to the World Baseball Classic in 2026 as a member of the Dominican Republic squad—this time as the team’s manager.

The Dominican Republic has a new manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and it stands to be a popular hire. Albert Pujols has been chosen to take over the D.R.'s dugout as it attempts to win its second WBC title, according to ESPN. Nelson Cruz, the team's general manager reportedly plans to make an official announcement by the end of March.

The Dominican Republic has chosen former Cardinals and Angels star Albert Pujols as its next manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will make the announcement official sometime in March, sources told ESPN's Enrique Rojas.