Winter is approaching, and it will be here before we even know it. As teams prepare for the upcoming LIDOM season, the Leones del Escogido announced their coaching staff, headlined by manager Albert Pujols.
He will be joined on the staff by former big leaguer Placido Polanco as his bench coach, Felipe Rojas Jr., Tony Diaz, Jairo Cuevas, Alex Concepcion, former MLB reliever Edwar Ramirez, Jorge Mejia, Rene Rojas, Israel Alcantara, MLB veteran infielder Jose Vizcaino, Hector de la Cruz, and four more catching coaches.
Pujols, born in the Dominican Republic, landed his first managerial gig after hanging up the spikes. Since his retirement, Pujols has stayed busy, working as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, an on-air analyst at MLB Network, and now he’ll get to manage in a league he grew up watching.
Also joining Pujols on his staff is veteran infielder Placido Polanco. Becoming one of Pujols’ close friends during his career, Polanco will serve as his bench coach this winter. The 16-year veteran played his career with the Cardinals, Phillies, Tigers, and Marlins, making the All-Star Game twice, and also won three gold gloves. This will be Polanco’s first coaching gig as well.
Another former MLB reliever Pujols selected for his staff is Edwar Ramirez. He will serve as the bullpen coach. Ramirez pitched for the Yankees and Athletics for four seasons. In his career, he tallied a 7-2 record, posting a 5.19 ERA in 103 relief appearances. He has been a pitching coach with the Yankees Dominican Summer League team since 2019.
And rounding out the former MLB players on Pujols’ staff is former infielder Jose Vizcaino. Vizcaino will be the first base coach. The 18-year veteran began his career in 1989 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played in the Cubs, Mets, Guardians, Giants, Yankees, and Cardinals organizations. He has been a Special Assistant of Baseball Operations in the Dodgers organization since 2008.
With Pujols announcing his staff, we will see how other teams in the LIDOM will prepare for their respective seasons by adding new faces and coaches into the fold. It will be fun to watch Pujols this winter and see if he can lead the Leones del Escogido to the Series del Caribe.
____
WBN LIDOM: https://worldbaseball.com/league/dominican-republic/
Photo Credit: Albert Pujols acknowledges the crowd ahead of the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
