Dominican Republic national baseball team

Lore & Background

The Dominican Republic national baseball team first gained prominence by winning the Baseball World Cup in 1948. Decades later, they captured the World Baseball Classic title in 2013, defeating Puerto Rico 3–0 in the final. Robinson Canó was named MVP of that tournament. The team also earned a bronze medal at the 2021 Olympics, facing Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United States.

In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the Dominican Republic prevailed over Israel and Nicaragua but lost to Venezuela and Puerto Rico, failing to advance out of the first round. They qualified for the 2026 tournament by finishing in the top four of their pool. In 2026, the team won Pool D against Israel, the Netherlands, Venezuela, and Nicaragua at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. They defeated South Korea via mercy rule in the quarterfinals before losing to the eventual runner-ups, the United States, in a controversial semifinal where umpire Cory Blaser called shortstop Geraldo Perdomo out on strikes on a pitch below the strikezone.

Notable figures associated with the team include Albert Pujols, who managed the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and Juan Soto, a four-time All Star outfielder who played for the team. The team's Major League Baseball heritage is strong, with 936 Dominican-born batters and 544 pitchers having appeared in MLB rosters as of the 2025 season.

Reader's Guide

The Dominican Republic national baseball team holds a unique place in baseball history as the first nation to win both the Baseball World Cup (1948) and the World Baseball Classic (2013). Their 2013 WBC victory, capped by a 3–0 shutout of Puerto Rico, solidified their status as a global powerhouse. The team's bronze medal at the 2021 Olympics further demonstrated their competitive depth, as they faced top-tier teams like Japan and the United States.

The team's legacy is also reflected in the extraordinary number of Dominican-born players in Major League Baseball, with 936 batters and 544 pitchers having appeared in MLB rosters by 2025. Hall of Fame inductees include David Ortiz, Adrián Beltré, Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martínez, and Juan Marichal. Albert Pujols, who managed the team in 2026, remains the all-time leader in game appearances, hits, and home runs among Dominican-born players.

Despite recent setbacks—such as failing to advance from the first round in 2023 and a controversial semifinal loss in 2026—the Dominican Republic continues to be a formidable force in international baseball. Their ability to produce elite talent and compete at the highest levels ensures their ongoing significance in the sport.

Did You Know?

• The Dominican Republic is the first team to have won both the Baseball World Cup and the World Baseball Classic.
• Albert Pujols managed Team Dominican Republic for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
• As of the 2025 MLB season, 936 players born in the Dominican Republic have appeared in an MLB roster for batting.
• The team won a bronze medal at the 2021 Olympics.