Yankees Coach Brad Ausmus to Lead Israel in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Ausmus returns to manage Israel's national team, bringing veteran experience and a connection to his Jewish heritage.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Brad Ausmus, the New York Yankees' bench coach, will temporarily step away from his MLB duties to manage Israel's national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Ausmus previously managed Israel's inaugural WBC qualifying team in 2012 and served as a coach in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience to the program. With a roster featuring Jewish-American big leaguers and rising prospects, Ausmus aims to guide Israel through a challenging "Group of Death" in Miami, relying on his tactical expertise to pull off another signature upset.

Why it matters

Ausmus' decision to lead Israel's national team is driven by a deep personal connection to his Jewish heritage, which he discovered later in his playing career. The WBC provides a unique platform for Ausmus to represent the Jewish community on the world stage, building on the foundation he helped establish over a decade ago when Israel first entered the tournament.

The details

As the new manager, Ausmus is taking over for his close friend and former player, Ian Kinsler, who has moved into an advisory role. Ausmus will be joined by a staff of former MLB All-Stars, including Kevin Youkilis and Mark Loretta, as Israel looks to navigate a challenging group that includes some of the tournament's Latin American powerhouses.

  • Ausmus managed Israel's first-ever WBC qualifying team in 2012.
  • Ausmus served as a coach for Israel's national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
  • Ausmus will take over as manager of Israel's national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Brad Ausmus

A three-time Gold Glove-winning catcher with 18 years of MLB playing experience and five seasons as a Major League manager, Ausmus is currently the bench coach for the New York Yankees.

Ian Kinsler

Ausmus' close friend and former player, Kinsler has moved into an advisory role for Israel's national team after previously serving as the manager.

Kevin Youkilis

A former MLB All-Star, Youkilis is part of Ausmus' coaching staff for Israel's national team.

Mark Loretta

A veteran coach, Loretta is also part of Ausmus' coaching staff for Israel's national team.

Harrison Bader

An MLB outfielder who will be playing for Israel's national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What’s next

Ausmus and the Israel national team will compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, facing off against some of the tournament's Latin American powerhouses in a challenging "Group of Death" in Miami.

The takeaway

Ausmus' decision to lead Israel's national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is a testament to his deep personal connection to his Jewish heritage and his desire to represent the Jewish community on the world stage. With his wealth of experience and a talented roster of Jewish-American players, Ausmus is poised to guide Israel to new heights in the tournament.