No surprise on the Sandberg part. Sources suggest former Nationals coach – and former (briefly) Chicago Cubs managerial candidate – Pat Listach will soon be announced as the team’s bench coach.
The Cubs did not confirm nor deny that they will be hiring Listach, and Nationals officials were unavailable for comment. An announcement will be made after the World Series.
Listach, 43, served as third-base coach for the Nationals the past two seasons and indicated interest in the Cubs’ managerial position after Lou Piniella retired and before Mike Quade, originally an interim replacement for Piniella, was named manager last month.
The Cubs have an opening at bench coach because Alan Trammell left the club to join the D-backs as bench coach under manager Kirk Gibson.
Listach managed in the Cubs’ Minor League system for four seasons, posting a 258-217 record. In 2008, he led Triple-A Iowa to an 83-59 record and was the Pacific Coast League’s Manager of the Year before joining the Nationals’ coaching staff the next season. cubs.com.
Listach is considered a bit of an up-and-comer, so I don’t think you’ll hear too many complaints about this hiring, outside of the few misguided souls who actually believed Ryne Sandberg would willing serve under the Mike Quade regime.