Juan Gonzalez, the former slugger and Texas Rangers Hall of Famer, was added as an assistant to the World Baseball Classic coaching staff of the squad from Puerto Rico on Monday, along with Mariners legend Edgar Martinez, the team announced.
Gonzalez was also on the team’s coaching staff at the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classic tournaments. The 2026 edition will take place in March next year.
Gonzalez spent his first 11 years in the majors with the Rangers, winning MVPs in 1996 and 1998. He led the AL in homers in 1992 and 1993 and is the Rangers’ all-time leader in homers (372), RBIs (1,180) and extra base hits (713).
After losing three playoff series in four years to the New York Yankees, the Rangers traded Gonzalez to Detroit following the 1999 season. He spent one season with the Tigers, one with Cleveland and then rejoined the Rangers for two years while struggling with injuries. He played 33 games for Kansas City in 2004 and one game for Cleveland in 2005.
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