Orlando, Florida – Manager Albert Pujols and General Manager Nelson Cruz, key figures in the Dominican team, have assured that the fans will be proud of the lineup and roster that will be announced for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. These statements were made during a press conference on the sidelines of the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings. Both leaders emphasized the high motivation and commitment surrounding the team ahead of the next world tournament. They highlighted that expectations are high, with a fanbase attentive to every move and a sporting environment awaiting the decisions that will be made in the coming months. This support, according to Pujols and Cruz, elevates the commitment of the management and the coaching staff in this crucial planning stage.
Historic Matches in the Dominican Republic
During the meeting, Pujols and Cruz also referred to the two games that the Dominican team will play against the Detroit Tigers. These matches, scheduled for March 3 and 4 at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium, are part of the 2026 spring training schedule and were described as “historic”. For both, it’s a “dream come true” that will allow several players to wear the national team jersey for the first time. In addition, it will give Dominican fans, who cannot travel abroad, the opportunity to see their team face a Major League team at home, in the prelude to the World Baseball Classic.Nelson Cruz described the event as the materialization of a personal and collective longing.We are happy and I believe it’s an opportunity that is being given to the fans who cannot travel here to the United States, so they can see their favorite players and our team the Dominican Republic playing there.
Albert Pujols
Cruz indicated that the announcement has generated great interest among the players and the fans. Pujols and Cruz emphasized the great responsibility they assume for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with the challenge of putting together the best possible team. They assured that this commitment is taken seriously by the coaching staff and management. Motivation is total from all fronts of the organization, including the team management, technical staff, advisors and staff, to the Dominican Baseball Federation. The series against the Detroit Tigers will have a special meaning as it will be played in memory of the victims of the April 8, 2025 tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub and will benefit the Dominican Red Cross. At the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, the Dominican delegation is made up of Juan Núñez, president of the Dominican Baseball Federation; Nelson Cruz, general manager of the National Team; Albert Pujols, team manager; Plácido Polanco, assistant; Amaurys Nina, director of Operations of the Federation; and Miguel Medina, CEO of Grupo de Medios Panorama.It’s a dream come true for many Dominicans. I had the pleasure of going and playing an exhibition game there, but it was always my dream to wear the Dominican uniform and be able to go to the Dominican Republic. And in the case of those people who unfortunately do not have a visa or who in one way or another do not have the resources to come to the United States and see the selection, having the pleasure of seeing it there in the Dominican Republic, is going to be something historic.
Nelson Cruz
