Albert Pujols, the Dominican-born former St. Louis Cardinals slugger who hit 703 career home runs over 22 major league seasons, said he is open to pursuing a managerial role in Major League Baseball following his stint managing the Dominican Republic team during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.[1][2]

Pujols was named manager for the Dominican Republic in September 2024 ahead of the tournament, held every four years and featuring 20 national teams competing from March 5 to 19, 2026, with pool play and finals hosted across several U.S. venues including loanDepot park in Miami.[3][4] He participated in a team practice session at loanDepot park on March 12, 2026.

"My name is in the hat," Pujols told Fox News Digital. "I'm not gonna force it. ... I'm waiting for an opportunity. If it happens, great, I'll be ready. If it doesn't happen, then I'm really excited and happy with the career that I have."[5]

The three-time National League most valuable player, who hit his 700th career home run on September 23, 2022, against the Los Angeles Dodgers and retired after the 2022 season, described managing professionals in the Classic as focusing on responsibility and lineup decisions rather than fundamentals.[1][2]

Pujols acknowledged the challenges of MLB managing, joking, "When you win, the team wins. When you lose, the manager loses." He emphasized communication with front offices, drawing from his playing career spanning 2001 to 2022, during which he observed evolving roles for analytics and executives.[5]

Speaking amid recent managerial changes in MLB, Pujols said he would approach opportunities as he did during his playing days: preparing while letting the right fit come naturally.[5]

Sources

1. Baseball-Reference. "Albert Pujols Stats." Accessed October 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml
2. MLB.com. "Albert Pujols hits 700th career home run." September 23, 2022. https://www.mlb.com/news/albert-pujols-700th-career-home-run
3. MLB.com. "Managers announced for 2026 World Baseball Classic." September 17, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/managers-announced-for-2026-world-baseball-classic
4. World Baseball Classic official site. "2026 WBC Schedule & Venues." Accessed October 2024. https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule
5. Fox News. "Albert Pujols got a taste of managing during the World Baseball Classic." March 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/albert-pujols-managing-world-baseball-classic