The Chicago concluded their season today with a 5-4 win vs. the Houston Astros. Moments after the game the Cubs informed 3rd base coach/infield coach that he will not be brought back next season. Listach was the only coach let go, but the Cubs are still evaluating what to do with interim hitting coach James Rowson. He took over for Rudy Jaramillo of whom was fired mid-season. The Cubs will decide if they want to remove the interim tag from Rowson or hire a new guy. The Cubs will figure that out in the early stages of the off-season.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum said; “he (Listach) did a great job, and it’s not anything he did”.
Cubs infielder Darwin Barney also spoke on the matter and said; “this is hard for me because he was one of the first people that really saw what I had and believed in it and voiced his opinion for me a couple of years back.” “He’s going to be fine. He has a place in baseball and will find work for sure, but it’s hard to see him go.”
Listach made Barney into the defender he is today and Barney does give him the credit. So, Barney is in a big lost right now.
Everybody in the Cubs organization does expect Listach to find another job fast. He’s a well-respected guy, a smart guy and teams will snag him up very soon.
Listach was Mike Quade’s bench coach in 2011 and Sveum made him his 3rd base coach last season.
The Cubs will start conducting interviews this Winter for the opening and Sveum said, he does have people in mind. He had people in mind when he took over the job last year.
I wish Listach the best going forward and the best of luck with a new adventure!
