For Brad Ausmus, managing Israel in the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic is more than just another coaching assignment. It represents a full-circle moment with a national program he helped introduce to the international baseball stage over a decade ago.
A three-time Gold Glove catcher during his playing career, Ausmus spent 18 seasons in Major League Baseball and later managed at the highest level. His deep experience and strategic mindset have made him one of the most respected baseball minds in the sport.
Now, he returns to guide Team Israel once again — stepping away temporarily from his role as bench coach for the New York Yankees.
Brad Ausmus returns to Team Israel for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
This will not be Ausmus’ first experience leading Israel on the international stage. He managed the country’s first-ever WBC qualifying team in 2012 and also served as a coach during the 2023 tournament.
In the 2026 tournament, Ausmus takes over the managerial role from former MLB star Ian Kinsler, who has shifted into an advisory position with the team. The leadership transition was designed to keep continuity within the program.
Team Israel has developed a reputation as one of the tournament’s most intriguing underdogs. The roster typically features Jewish-American major leaguers alongside emerging prospects who qualify through heritage eligibility rules.
With his tactical experience and familiarity with international competition, Ausmus is expected to bring a steady leadership presence to the team.
Jewish heritage played a major role in Brad Ausmus accepting the role
For Ausmus, the decision to coach Israel is deeply connected to his personal heritage.
Although he did not grow up in a strongly religious household, his awareness of his Jewish roots grew during his MLB career. A journalist once asked him about his maternal Jewish lineage, which sparked his curiosity and ultimately strengthened his connection to the community.
That interest deepened significantly in 2012 when he traveled to Israel to manage the national team during the WBC qualifiers. During that trip, he also met Israel’s former president, Shimon Peres, an experience that left a lasting impression on him.
Since then, Ausmus has remained committed to helping represent Jewish players on the global baseball stage.
Israel roster features MLB veterans and emerging prospects
Israel’s roster for the 2026 tournament combines experienced major leaguers with younger talent still developing within professional baseball systems.
Notable players expected to compete for Israel include Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer, Garrett Stubbs, Tommy Kahnle, Eli Morgan, Spencer Horwitz, Matt Mervis, Zack Weiss, and Matt Bowman.
The coaching staff also features several former MLB stars who will assist Ausmus during the tournament. Former All-Star Kevin Youkilis and veteran coach Mark Loretta are part of the team’s leadership group.
Israel has been placed in a challenging tournament group scheduled to play games in Miami. The group is widely considered one of the toughest in the competition, featuring several baseball powerhouses.
Despite the difficult path, Ausmus understands that the short tournament format of the World Baseball Classic can produce surprising outcomes. With careful strategy and experienced players, Team Israel hopes to once again prove it can compete with some of the strongest national teams in the sport.