The Netherlands has a new manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Andruw Jones, a five-time MLB All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, will manage the Netherlands at the 2026 WBC, the Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation announced on Tuesday.
A native of Willemstad, Curaçao, Jones has represented the Netherlands at four iterations of the WBC, as a player in 2006 and '13 and as the team’s bench coach in 2017 and '23, with Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens acting as manager. Meulens parted ways with the national team in December 2023.
“It’s a tremendous honor to manage the team kingdom of the Netherlands in the WBC," Jones wrote in a social media post announcing the hire. "I’ve worn the uniform as a player and coach, and now being trusted to manage the team is a great honor. Can’t wait to put a great team together with my coaching staff.”
Jones played for the Netherlands in the inaugural WBC in 2006. He again anchored the lineup in 2013, slashing .333/.441/.370 while leading the way to an inspiring fourth-place finish.
Under Jones’ guidance, the Netherlands will look for a bounce-back result next year after finishing in 13th place at the 2023 WBC.
The Netherlands will compete in Pool D at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, joining Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Israel and Nicaragua. Pool D is scheduled to play from March 6-11 at loanDepot park in Miami, home of the Marlins. The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals to compete against the top two finishers from Pool C.