Yadier Molina to return as Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic manager

The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation (FBPR) announced that Yadier Molina will return as the World Baseball Classic manager. Molina, who will turn 43 in July, has been one of the greatest Major League Baseball (MLB) catchers of all time. A 10-time All-Star and a nine-time Gold Glove, he helped the St-Louis Cardinals win the 2006 and 2011 World Series. He played 2,224 games in a 19-year career (2004-2022), starting 2,112 times at catcher.

Molina began his managerial career while still a player and led Puerto Rico at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2018.

At club level, he managed Magallanes Navegantes in the Venezuelan Professional League 2022-23 and Caguas Criollos in the Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Professional League 2023-24, leading them to the title, and the Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Professional League 2024-25.

Molina played for Puerto Rico in the first four editions of the World Baseball Classic (2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017) and helped them reach the World Championship Final in 2013 and 2017. He managed Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals in 2023.

"I'm delighted with everything that's been happening in my life lately," Molina commented during a press conference. "I want to thank the Baseball Federation, President Dr. José Quiles, Efrain Williams, Joey Solá, and Carlos Beltrán for the opportunity to be here and represent the island where I was born."

FBPR President José Daniel Quiles Rosas said: "Yadier's appointment is neither coincidental nor sentimental. It's a reaffirmation. He has the character, discipline, and knowledge to lead our National Team. In him, we have a complete leader who inspires respect and commitment, on and off the field."

World No. 9 Puerto Rico will host Group A of the VI World Baseball Classic from March 6 to 11, 2026, in San Juan. They will face No. 22 Canada, No. 10 Cuba, No. 8 Panama, No. 13 Colombia.