Major League Baseball

Brewers will talk to Listach | Ex-player now coach with Nationals /

Published Oct. 17, 2010 10:12 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Pat Listach barely had gotten his feet on the ground in Puerto Rico when he had to make plans to return to the United States.

But he didn't mind one bit. Listach confirmed Saturday that he will interview for the Milwaukee Brewers' managerial opening. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin asked permission of the Washington Nationals to talk to Listach, who is their thirdbase coach.

"I'm coming to Milwaukee to interview on Tuesday," said Listach, in Puerto Rico to manage the winter-ball team in Ponce.

"I got a call from (Nationals general manager) Mike Rizzo and he told me that the Brewers asked permission to talk to me. He said, 'You earned it and you deserve it and I gave him permission to talk to you. I hope you get the job.' Doug Melvin called later in the day and I missed his call but I called him back and we set up the interview for Tuesday.

"I am definitely excited.

How can I not be?" MLB.com first reported the Brewers had asked permission of the Nationals to interview Listach.

Listach, 43, has a distinct history with the Brewers. Drafted by them in the fifth round in 1988, he made a dynamic big-league debut in 1992, earning American League rookie of the year honors after batting.290 with 54 stolen bases and 93 runs scored.

Listach has remained a good friend of Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum and also worked with bullpen coach Stan Kyles when Listach managed in the Chicago Cubs' farm system. Listach earned good reviews for his work there, guiding Class AAA Iowa to an 83-59 record in 2008.

Listach interviewed for the Cubs' managerial job that went to Lou Piniella after the '07 season. He has been the Nationals' third base coach for two seasons.

"This is a great opportunity for me," said Listach, who will turn over the reins of the Ponce club to a coach for a couple of days. "Hopefully, I can give them the impression that I'm the right guy for the job. I think I am." Listach reportedly also was on a list to be interviewed by the Toronto Blue Jays for their managerial vacancy but said he hadn't heard from that club.

One other confirmed interview the Brewers will conduct this week in Milwaukee is with former Seattle and Arizona manager Bob Melvin on Thursday.

Copyright 2010, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)

Copyright, 2010, Journal Sentinel, All Rights Reserved.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball