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.

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 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.

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.