Albert Pujols Confirms World Baseball Classic Gig, Reiterates Interest in MLB Job

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.

Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) reacts during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Albert Pujols, fresh off managing Leones del Escogido to Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series titles this offseason, has grand plans for his future.

Reports surfaced last week that the former St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels slugger would be taking over as the Dominican Republic's manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Pujols confirmed as much to reporters at Angels spring training camp on Sunday, per MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger.

Pujols also said he would be open to eventually becoming a manager in MLB – possibly as soon as the 2026 season. Abandoning his club in favor of international obligations during his first spring on the job may be tough to pull off, though, so perhaps 2027 is a cleaner start date for Pujols' time as a big-league skipper.

“Whenever the opportunity comes, if there is something knocking this year or next year, I mean, why not?” Pujols said, per the Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher.

For the time being, the 45-year-old Pujols is a special assistant and guest instructor for the Angels.

Albert Pujols is in #Angels camp and reiterated his desire to be a Major League manager. Even as soon as next season. He also confirmed he’ll manage the Dominican Republic in next year’s World Baseball Classic.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 2, 2025

Pujols, who retired in 2022, finished his 22-year big league career with 3,384 hits, 704 home runs, 2,218 RBI and a 101.5 WAR, batting .296 with a .918 OPS. He made 11 All-Star appearances while winning three MVPs, six Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, a batting title and two World Series rings.

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