Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina Headline 2026 Latin Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees

Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Edwin Encarnación and Magglio Ordóñez Elected to the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame

Pujols and Molina Unanimously Led the Voting; Ordóñez and Encarnación Complete the Contemporary Players Selection for the 13th Induction Class

Latin Baseball Hall of Fame Press Office: PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The Latin Baseball Hall of Fame officially announces the election of Dominican stars Albert Pujols and Edwin Encarnación , Puerto Rican catcher Yadier Molina, and Venezuelan outfielder Magglio Ordóñez as the institution’s newest members. They were selected by the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame Writers Circle in the Contemporary Players category for the 13th Induction Class.

Following the conclusion of the voting period, accredited members of the Writers Circle evaluated the careers, accomplishments, historical impact, and legacies of the players included on the official ballot. Pujols, Molina, Ordóñez and Encarnación received the four highest vote totals and will be inducted in December 2026 in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Latin Baseball Hall of Fame Executive Director Robinson Paredes welcomed the new members after contacting each of them to officially confirm the results.

“It is a true honor to see our Writers Circle select, through a fair and balanced process, a class that represents the highest standard of Latin excellence at the most demanding levels of the game. These four new members were not only exceptional players; they are also examples of perseverance, leadership, and citizenship. Each has used his career and platform to give back to his community in different ways. We are deeply proud to welcome them to the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame,” Paredes said.

Pujols and Molina Lead Historic Vote

The official voting concluded with Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina tied for first place after appearing on every ballot cast by the participating members of the Writers Circle. Venezuelan star Magglio Ordóñez finished third, while Edwin Encarnación placed fourth to complete the group of elected players.

Finishing just outside the four-player cutoff were Venezuelan catcher Víctor Martínez , Cuban pitcher Liván Hernández , Dominican infielders José Reyes and Aramis Ramírez , and Curaçaoan slugger Wladimir “Coco” Balentien .

Albert Pujols — Dominican Republic
Albert Pujols built one of the greatest offensive careers in Major League Baseball history. Over 22 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, he hit 703 home runs , collected 3,384 hits and drove in 2,218 runs . He finished his career ranked fourth all-time in home runs and second in both RBI and total bases.

Pujols was selected to 11 All-Star Games and won three National League Most Valuable Player Awards, two Gold Glove Awards and the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year Award. He also helped St. Louis capture the 2006 and 2011 World Series championships, establishing himself as one of the most dominant right-handed hitters of all time.

Yadier Molina — Puerto Rico
Yadier Molina spent all 19 of his Major League seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming a symbol of leadership, baseball intelligence and defensive excellence. The Puerto Rican catcher recorded 2,168 hits , 176 home runs and 1,022 RBI , earned 10 All-Star selections and won nine Gold Glove Awards and four Platinum Glove Awards.

His 2,184 games behind the plate rank fourth in Major League history. Molina was a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ 2006 and 2011 World Series championship teams and a central figure for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Magglio Ordóñez — Venezuela
Magglio Ordóñez was one of the most consistent and complete Venezuelan hitters of his generation. During 15 seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, he produced a .309 career batting average , 2,156 hits , 294 home runs , 426 doubles and 1,236 RBI . He was a six-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

In 2007, Ordóñez won the American League batting title with a .363 average , 54 doubles and 139 RBI, finishing second in the Most Valuable Player voting. His walk-off home run against Oakland in the 2006 American League Championship Series sent Detroit to its first World Series in 22 years and remains one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.

Edwin Encarnación — Dominican Republic
Edwin Encarnación established himself as one of the premier power hitters of his era. Across 16 Major League seasons, he has accumulated 1,832 hits , 424 home runs, and 1,261 RBI while earning three All-Star selections. From 2012 through 2019, he hit at least 30 home runs in eight consecutive seasons.

In 2016, Encarnación established career highs with 42 home runs and 127 RBI, tying for the American League lead in runs batted in. That same year, he delivered one of the most important moments in Toronto Blue Jays history with a walk-off three-run home run that decided the American League Wild Card Game against Baltimore.

Additional Announcements Forthcoming

Following the final verification of the Contemporary Players election by the International Induction Committee , under the institutional leadership of President Emeritus Don Roberto Weill , the Hall will announce the new members selected by the Veterans Committee, as well as the recipients of its special awards, in the coming days.

Through these distinctions, the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame summarizes one of its most important traditions: expanding and strengthening the recognition of the players, pioneers, managers, executives, scouts, broadcasters , and other figures who have contributed to building the history of the game.

The 13th Class Induction Ceremony is scheduled for December 2026 at the Caguas Fine Arts Center in Caguas, Puerto Rico , with the support of local and national authorities, as well as leading institutions and stakeholders throughout Puerto Rican baseball.

About the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame
Founded in 2010, the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame honors the great players, managers, executives, pioneers, and other figures who have contributed to the development and history of baseball throughout Latin America. Through its international election process, induction ceremonies, and historical preservation initiatives, the institution recognizes athletic excellence and celebrates the cultural and social impact of Latin baseball around the world.

Since 2026, the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame has received official statistical support and analytical backing from Baseball Reference , a Sports Reference platform and one of the world’s leading sources for baseball statistics, historical records, and comprehensive information. This partnership strengthens the rigor, transparency, and depth of the Hall’s evaluation and election process.