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When it comes to baseball names from the Dominican Republic, Albert Pujols and David Ortiz find themselves right at the top of the list. On Monday, the pair were among the names tapped to help their nation put forth a competitive performance at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
All eyes were on the Intercontinental Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Monday as the The Dominican Republic National Baseball Team took to the stage. The purpose of the event was for general manager Nelson Cruz to reveal his team of operations staff in the run-up to the tournament.
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"The Dominican Baseball Team presented the operations team it will have for the 2026 World Classic, which includes David Ortíz, Albert Pujols, Nelson Cruz, Pedro Martínez, Edwin Encarnación, Vladimir Guerrero and Don Juan Marichal."
Cruz, a former DH with 19 seasons of MLB experience, revealed his support operations team. Among those featured were Boston Red Sox icons David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, and Albert Pujols.
Among those posting images from the event was Dominican baseball journalist Adelaida Hernandez. Capturing some behind-the-scenes images on her Instagram. Hernandez showed off the stylish suit worn by Albert Pujols, perhaps in an attempt to outdo the floral shirt worn by David Ortiz.
A legend in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Pujols is now serving as the head manager of the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. The next World Baseball Classic will take place in March 2026. After an elimination in the Group Stage of the 2023 tournament, Nelson Cruz's team will have its work cut out for them in their next go-around.
Albert Pujols and company will descend on Miami in 2026
Although we are still over a year away from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the organizing committee has already confirmed that Team DR will play at Loan Depot Park - home of the Miami Marlins - to kick off the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
A tournament with an incredible amount of prestige in the Carribbean nation, several Dominican MLB stars have claimed the tournament to be more important to them than the World Series. With a star-studded lineup of support staff, Cruz's team is already making itself look like serious contenders for one of baseball's most esteemed pieces of hardware.
