Pat Listach will manage the AAA Tacoma Rainiers, the club’s AAA affiliate, in 2015, the club said Monday. Selected by Seattle in the 23rd round of the 1987 draft out of McLennan (TX.) Community College, Listach spent the 2014 season as the third base coach of the Houston Astros. He has more than 20 years of experience as a player, major and minor league coach, and minor league manager.
“Pat has a great deal of experience, as a major league player, and as a minor league coach and manager,” said general manager Jack Zduriencik. “We are looking forward to having him work with our young players.”
“Pat is passionate about teaching, and has a great track record and experience, both as a player and as a coach,” director of player development Chris Gwynn said. “He’s a very good fit for our organization, and for the Rainiers.”
Listach’s minor league managing experience includes two seasons at AAA Iowa (2002 and 2008) and at AA West Tenn (2006-07), all in the Cubs system. He was named PCL Manager of the Year in 2008 after leading the Cubs AAA franchise to a first-place finish with an 83-59 (.585) mark. He has a career minor league managerial mark of 256-217 (.541).
Listach did not sign with the Mariners after they selected him in 1987, Instead, he attended Arizona State University. He was drafted again in 1988 in the fifth round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Listach spent more than six seasons in the major leagues, appearing in games with the Brewers (1992-96) and Astros (1997), batting .251 with 250 runs scored, 81 extra-base hits and 143 RBI in 503 games.
He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1992, after hitting .290 in 149 games as the Brewers’ starting shortstop with 54 stolen bases. Listach appeared with the Mariners during spring training prior to the 1998 season, but finished his career that season playing in the minor leagues for both the Philadelphia and Cleveland organizations.
