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.

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,

The Dominican Republic has landed on former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols as their next manager after he led the country to a Caribbean Series title.

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 .

Santo Domingo.- Albert Pujols has been officially named manager of the Dominican national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The announcement was made by Nelson Cruz, the team’s general manager,

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.