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The World Baseball Classic isn't only about the stars of this generation, but those that have lit up the MLB in years before. As the 2026 tournament kicks off, the dugouts have become a "who’s who" of retired legends, trading in their gloves for clipboards to lead their respective nations.
From Albert Pujols managing a powerhouse Dominican Republic squad to Andruw Jones taking the reins for the Netherlands, the nostalgia is palpable. Team USA has followed suit, surrounding manager Mark DeRosa with a staff of former All-Stars including Andy Pettitte, Matt Holliday, and Brian McCann.
Even Yadier Molina is back in the mix, leading Puerto Rico with the same tactical precision he once used behind the plate. For fans, the tournament offers a rare bridge between eras, where the heroes of the 2000s and 2010s are now the architects of the next international dynasty.
Here's the complete list of former MLB stars who are in the dugout during the World Baseball Classic.
MORE: World Baseball Classic rosters 2026
Albert Pujols, Dominican Republic
One of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport, Pujols enters his first major managerial role after a 22-year playing career featuring 703 home runs, 3,384 hits, and three MVP awards. He is one of only four players to reach the 700-home run club, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. Pujols was a cornerstone of two World Series championship teams in St. Louis and earned a reputation for a robotic, flawless approach at the plate.
His transition to the dugout has been remarkably fast; just before taking the DR job, he led Leones del Escogido to a Dominican Winter League title and a Caribbean Series crown in early 2025. This success in his home country silenced any skeptics regarding his lack of coaching experience. Now, he is tasked with managing a roster of superstars who grew up idolizing him to chase the Dominican Republic's first WBC title since 2013.
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Miguel Cabrera, Venezuela
The only Triple Crown winner of the last 50 years, Cabrera retired in 2023 as one of the most decorated right-handed hitters in baseball history. A member of both the 3,000-hit and 500-home run clubs, he was a four-time batting champion and a two-time MVP. Cabrera’s infectious joy and legendary "bat-to-ball" skills made him the face of the Detroit Tigers for over a decade and a hero to an entire generation of Venezuelan ballplayers.
Cabrera is one of the few players to have appeared in every World Baseball Classic from 2006 to 2023, making his shift to the coaching staff a full-circle moment.
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Yadier Molina, Puerto Rico
Widely considered one of the greatest defensive catchers to ever live, the 9-time Gold Glover and 2-time World Series champion returns to lead Puerto Rico for a second consecutive Classic. Molina played his entire 19-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, calling every pitch and managing one of the most successful pitching staffs in the league. He holds the MLB record for most games caught with a single franchise.
Molina’s managerial career began almost the moment he hung up his spikes, as he took over managing duties in the Venezuelan and Puerto Rican winter leagues.
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Mark DeRosa, USA
A 16-year MLB veteran known for his versatility, DeRosa returns for his second stint as Team USA manager after leading them to a silver medal in 2023. During his playing days, he started at eight different positions and was a clubhouse favorite across seven different franchises, including the Braves, Cubs, and Nationals. He finished his career with 100 home runs and a reputation for having one of the highest baseball IQs in the game.
Andy Pettitte, USA
A five-time World Series champion and the MLB all-time leader in postseason wins (19), the legendary Yankees lefty reprises his role from the 2023 tournament. Pettitte was the ultimate big game pitcher, famously anchoring the Yankees' rotation during their dynasty years with a signature stone-faced stare and a pickoff move that remains the gold standard for left-handers. He retired with 256 career wins and over 2,400 strikeouts.
As a coach, Pettitte is revered for his ability to mentor young arms on the mental aspect of the game. His deep bond with former teammates like Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter has kept him close to the game's elite circles, ensuring that Team USA’s pitchers are learning from one of the most composed winners in baseball history.
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Andruw Jones, Netherlands
Jones was a 10-time Gold Glover and a 5-time All-Star who is widely considered the greatest defensive center fielder of his generation. He famously burst onto the scene in the 1996 World Series, becoming the youngest player to ever homer in the Fall Classic. Jones finished his career with 434 home runs and was recently elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
This WBC is a historic milestone for Jones, as he transitions from bench coach to manager. The highlight of his tenure is the opportunity to manage his son, Druw Jones, a top-tier MLB prospect. They are the first father-son duo to share a dugout in this capacity in WBC history.
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Jorge Posada, Italy
A five-time All-Star and four-time World Series champion, Posada was a key member of the Yankees' "Core Four" alongside Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte. He was one of the best offensive catchers in the history of the American League, retiring with 275 home runs and a reputation for being one of the fiercest competitors in the New York clubhouse.
Posada joined the Italian staff at the request of his former mentee and teammate, Francisco Cervelli, who serves as the team's manager. Posada brings a "championship-or-bust" mentality to an Italian squad that has been steadily improving its international standing.
MORE: Last time the Yankees won the World Series
Justin Morneau, Canada
The 2006 American League MVP and a four-time All-Star, Morneau is arguably the greatest position player Canada has ever produced. A two-time Silver Slugger and a NL batting champion (2014), he was the cornerstone of the Minnesota Twins' "M&M Boys" era alongside Joe Mauer. Morneau’s career was defined by his incredible left-handed power and a sweet, natural swing that made him a nightmare for right-handed pitchers.
Morneau has been a fixture of the Canadian National Team for two decades, playing in the first four World Baseball Classics. His transition to hitting coach allows him to mentor the next wave of Canadian talent, such as Freddie Freeman and Josh Naylor.
MORE: Canada's baseball history before the Blue Jays
Johan Santana, Venezuela
A two-time Cy Young winner and four-time All-Star, Santana was the most dominant pitcher in baseball during the mid-2000s with the Minnesota Twins. He famously led the league in strikeouts three years in a row and threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets history in 2012. His changeup is widely regarded as one of the best "vanishing" pitches of all time, a weapon he used to dismantle even the most disciplined lineups.
Since retiring, Santana has spent significant time working with young pitchers in Venezuela and within the Twins organization. Santana’s legacy in Venezuela is immense, and his ability to read a hitter’s swing from the dugout gives the Venezuelan staff a distinct analytical advantage.
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David Ross, USA
Ross won two World Series titles as a catcher with the Red Sox and Cubs, famously becoming the oldest player to hit a home run in Game 7 of the World Series. Known throughout his 15-year career as a premier defensive strategist and clubhouse leader, Ross was the veteran presence that younger stars like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo leaned on during Chicago’s historic 2016 title run.
After retiring, Ross moved directly into the manager's chair for the Cubs, where he spent four seasons navigating the rigors of the NL Central. His experience as a major league skipper, combined with his background as a catcher, makes him an ideal bullpen coach.
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Edgar Martinez, Puerto Rico
A Hall of Fame legend and the man for whom the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award is named, Martinez is a deity in Seattle and a national icon in Puerto Rico. He finished his career with a .312 batting average, two batting titles, and five Silver Slugger awards. He is known for his bat speed and a hitting approach so precise that Hall of Fame pitchers like Mariano Rivera once called him the toughest hitter they ever faced.
He previously served as the Mariners' hitting coach, where he was credited with revitalizing the careers of several veterans.
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Dusty Baker, Nicaragua
At 76 years old, Baker is one of the most storied figures in the history of the game. He is the only manager to lead five different franchises to division titles and ranks 8th all-time in career managerial wins. After a lifetime of chasing a title as a skipper, he finally reached the mountaintop by winning the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros. His career as a player was equally impressive, spanning 19 seasons and featuring two All-Star nods and a World Series ring with the 1981 Dodgers.
Baker’s decision to manage Nicaragua came as a delightful surprise to the baseball world. He has a deep, lifelong love for Latin American baseball, having played winter ball in Venezuela, Mexico, and Puerto Rico during the 1970s.
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