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,