March 20, 2025

Kinsler Back to Manage Team Israel at the 2026 WBC

Four-time all-star and World Series Champion, Ian Kinsler, Will Lead Team Israel Again, the Team has Announced

by Mike Wilner

Team Israel has its skipper back.

“I’m honored to be leading the team for the 2026 WBC,” said long-time major-leaguer Ian Kinsler, who is returning to manage Israel’s entry in the World Baseball Classic after guiding the team in 2023. “MLB puts on a world-class tournament, and it’s just an excellent group of people involved. This will be our third WBC and we continue to improve our players and process. I think everyone is excited about this team. I know I am.”

His enthusiasm is shared throughout the organization.

“We are thrilled to have him back!” said Dr. Jordy Alter, President of the Israel Association of Baseball.

Kinsler played for Israel in the 2021 Olympics, in which the men’s baseball team became the first Israeli team – in any sport – to win a game at the Olympics since 1968. Israel finished fifth, falling to the powerhouse Dominican Republic by a single run in the medal-round qualifier, in what was Kinsler’s swan song as a player.

The Tucson, Arizona native took over as manager of the team for the 2023 WBC, guiding Israel to a 1-3 record in a stacked pool with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Dominicans.

“Ian is a natural manager,” said Nate Fish, CEO of Israel Baseball Americas and Kinsler’s bullpen coach at that 2023 tournament. “I think toward the end of his career everyone had him pegged as a future manager if he wanted it. Brad Ausmus let him manage the final game of his last season in Detroit as a nod to his potential.”

Kinsler’s playing career – 14 years in the majors, including five trips to the post-season and that championship with the 2018 Boston Red Sox – gives him immediate credibility and a high level of “derech eretz” among the players.

“You go look at his numbers, he’s a borderline Hall of Famer,” said Team Israel catcher Garrett Stubbs as he prepared for his seventh big-league season at the Philadelphia Phillies’ training camp in Clearwater, Florida. “Incredible player. Before even meeting him, I heard incredible things about him and he lived up to all of those.”

Stubbs’ eyes lit up when he was told that Kinsler was returning to manage the WBC squad.

“Super exciting,” said Dean Kremer, Team Israel ace at the 2023 tournament. “He was an awesome manager the first go-round, so second go-round will probably only get better.”

Kinsler’s sterling reputation, both in the major leagues and on the world stage, allows him to not only guide the team on the field, but be a key piece in recruiting players, as well.

“The guys want to know that someone who gets it is in charge,” said Fish. “Someone who has been there before and understands what it’s like. For the first steps of just getting big league players to commit, it’s a big deal. 

“Once the tournament actually starts, it’s important for them to be able to look down to the end of the dugout and see a guy who has been in big moments before. Kinsler played for Team USA when they won the WBC in 2017 – there’s no substitute for that kind of experience.”

Equally as important for Team Israel is that their manager is a mensch.

“He is just a top-notch human-being,” said Alter, “and his commitment to Israel Baseball goes beyond just managing the team. He, Kevin Youkilis and Brad Ausmus are all very involved all year. They attend our quarterly meetings, events, and represent Israel Baseball within the larger baseball world.”

The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins March 5 in Tokyo. Israel will play out of Miami, Florida, once again with Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. The Netherlands and a qualifier will round out Pool D.